A
| A | first letter and first vowel of the English alphabet. (see gknxt encyclopedia) | ||
| A | (see list of abbreviations and acronyms) | ||
| a | the first letter of the English alphabet in lowercase | ||
| a to b | from one place to another | ||
| a to z | all the way from the beginning to the end | ||
| A, a (noun) | 1 the first letter of the English alphabet. 2 in music, the sixth note of the scale of C major. 3 a human blood type (blood type A). 4 the best grade in a school paper (he got an A for Algebra). | ||
| aardvark | an African mammal. In Afrikaans language, "aardvark" translates to "earth pig". | ||
| abacus (noun) | a counting frame with beads. | ||
| abalone (noun) | an edible sea snail with a shell that is shaped like an ear. | ||
| abandon (verb) | 1 to give up (abandon the attempt). 2 to depart from forever, desert (abandon his wife and children). n freedom from care (dance with abandon). | ||
| abandoned (adjective) | 1 deserted (an abandoned house). 2 immoral, shameless (abandoned young women). | ||
| abandonment | Collective noun for orphans (An abandonment of orphans) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| abate (verb) | to lessen (storms abating). n abatement | ||
| abbess (noun) | the chief nun in a convent. | ||
| abbey (noun) | 1 a monastery or convent. 2 a church, once part of a monastery or convent. | ||
| abbot (noun) | the chief monk in a monastery. | ||
| abbreviate (verb) | to shorten (abbreviate a word). n abbreviation | ||
| abdicate (verb) | to give up high office, especially a throne. n abdication | ||
| abdomen (noun) | the part of the body between your chest and your thighs. adj abdominal | ||
| abduct (verb) | to kidnap. n abduction n abductor | ||
| abhor (verb) | to loathe. n abhorrence | ||
| abhorrent (adjective) | loathsome. | ||
| abide (verb) | to put up with (she cannot abide untidiness). abide by to obey, to remain true to (abide by the rules). | ||
| abiding (adjective) | lasting (an abiding love). | ||
| ability (noun) | 1 skill or power to do a thing (the ability to do the job). 2 cleverness (pupils of ability). | ||
| ablaze (adjective and adverb) | on fire, in flames. | ||
| able (adjective) | 1 having skill or power to do a thing. 2 clever. adv ably. | ||
| able-bodied (adjective) | someone who is able to walk and is physically healthy. | ||
| Ablutophobia | fear of washing or bathing (see list of phobias) | ||
| abnormal (adjective) | different from the usual (abnormal levels of lead). adv abnormally | ||
| abnormality (noun) | an unusual quality. | ||
| aboard (adverb and preposition) | on board, on a ship, train, airplane, etc. | ||
| abode (noun) | (formal or humorous) house, home (our humble abode). | ||
| abolish (verb) | to put an end to, to do away with (abolish slavery). n abolition , abolitionist | ||
| abominable (adjective) | hateful (her abominable behavior shocked everyone). | ||
| abominable sight | Collective noun for monks (An abominable sight of monks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| aboriginal (adjective) | 1 describing a feature that is native to a country. 2 (cap) describing the native peoples of Australia. n (cap) a descendant of the people who inhabited Australia before the arrival of the Europeans. | ||
| aborigine (noun) | 1 one of the original inhabitants of a country, who has been there since the earliest times. 2 (cap) another name for an Australian Aboriginal. | ||
| abort (verb) | to stop something, especially in the early stages (they had to abort the space shuttle take-off because of a problem with the fuel). | ||
| abortive (adjective) | unsuccessful because done too soon (an abortive attempt). | ||
| abound (verb) | to be plentiful (large houses abound there). | ||
| about (adverb/preposition) | 1 concerning (a letter about money). 2 around (dash about the house). 3 near to (somewhere about here). 4 nearly (costing about $5). 5 on the point of (just about to go). | ||
| above (adverb/preposition) | 1 over (pictures above the fireplace/an apartment above the store). 2 higher (than) (above average). | ||
| aboveboard (adjective) | honest, fair (the deal was honest and aboveboard). | ||
| abrasion (noun) | 1 the act of rubbing away at something (abrasion causing scratches). 2 an area of skin that has been scraped (her skin was covered in cuts and abrasions after the accident). | ||
| abrasive (adjective) | 1 causing abrasion (use abrasive to remove the paint). 2 harsh or irritating (abrasive personality). n something that causes abrasion. | ||
| abreast (adverb) | side by side (competitors running abreast). abreast of the times up-to-date. | ||
| abridge (verb) | to make shorter (abridge the story). n abridg(e)ment | ||
| abroad (adverb) | 1 out of your own country (vacations abroad). 2 far and wide (spread the news abroad). | ||
| abrupt (adjective) | 1 sudden, hasty (an abrupt departure). 2 discourteous (an abrupt reply). adv abruptly n abruptness | ||
| abscess (noun) | a boil, a gathering of pus in some part of the body. | ||
| absence | Collective noun for waiters (An absence of waiters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| absent (adjective) | not present (absent from school) | ||
| absentee (noun) | someone who is not present. | ||
| absent-minded (adjective) | not thinking of what you are doing (her father was very absent-minded). | ||
| absolute (adjective) | 1 complete (absolute perfection). 2 free from controls or conditions (absolute power). adv absolutely | ||
| absolve (verb) | to set free, as from guilt or punishment (absolve from blame). n absolution | ||
| absorb (verb) | 1 to soak up (a material that absorbs liquid). 2 to take up all the attention of. | ||
| absorbed (adjective) | giving the whole mind to (people absorbed in their work). | ||
| absorbent (adjective) | drinking in. | ||
| absorption (noun) | 1 act of absorbing. 2 full attention. | ||
| abstain (verb) | 1 to keep yourself from, to hold back from (abstain from smoking). 2 not to vote (three voted against and two abstained). n abstainer n abstention | ||
| abstract (noun) | a summary (an abstract of the lecture). adj 1 existing in the mind only. 2 portraying ideas rather than realistic images (an abstract painting). | ||
| absurd (adjective) | foolish. n absurdity | ||
| abundance (noun) | more than enough, plenty (an abundance of apples this year). adj abundant adv abundantly | ||
| abuse (verb) | 1 to make wrong use of (abuse power). 2 to ill-treat, to maltreat, especially physically or sexually (abuse their children). 3 to use insulting language (a drunk abusing the barman). n n abuser | ||
| abusive (adjective) | 1 ill-treating, cruel (abusive treatment). 2 insulting (abusive language). adv abusively | ||
| abysmal (adjective) | very bad (an abysmal performance). | ||
| abyss (noun) | a very deep pit or ravine. | ||
| academic (adjective) | 1 of or concerning education, especially in a college or university (an academic career). 2 not practical or useful; theoretical (of academic interest). n teacher in a college or university. | ||
| academy (noun) | 1 a high school 2 a school for special studies (a military academy). 3 a society for advancing arts and sciences (the Royal Academy). | ||
| Acanthochronology | study of cactus spines grown in time ordered sequence (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Acarology | study of mites and ticks (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Acarophobia | fear of itching or of the insects that cause itching (see list of phobias) | ||
| accelerate (verb) | to increase speed. n acceleration | ||
| accelerator (noun) | a device that controls the speed of an automobile. | ||
| accent (noun) | 1 a special emphasis given to part of a word (the accent is on the first syllable). 2 the mark that indicates such emphasis. 3 a way of speaking peculiar to certain persons or groups (a New York accent). vb to emphasize a certain part of a word. | ||
| accentuate (verb) | to emphasize (a dress accentuating the blue of her eyes). | ||
| accept (verb) | 1 to receive something offered (accept the gift with thanks accept their criticism). n acceptance | ||
| acceptable (adjective) | 1 pleasant to receive (a very acceptable gift). 2 satisfactory, good enough (acceptable work). 3 allowable, tolerable (acceptable levels of radiation). | ||
| access (noun) | a way or means of approach. vb to find on a computer file (access secret data illegally). | ||
| accessible (adjective) | 1 easily approached (an accessible manager). 2 easily reached (villages that are scarcely accessible). 3 easily obtained or understood (accessible information). n accessibility. | ||
| accessory (noun) | 1 an assistant, especially in crime. 2 an additional part or tool (car accessories). 3 an additional item worn with clothing (accessories such as purses). | ||
| accident (noun) | 1 an unexpected happening (we met by accident). 2 an unexpected event that causes damage or injury (a road accident). adj accidental. | ||
| acclaim (verb) | to greet with applause. Also n. | ||
| acclamation (noun) | a shout of joy or approval. | ||
| acclimatize (verb), also acclimatise (British spelling) | to accustom to a new climate or situation. n acclimatization , also acclimatisation (British spelling) | ||
| accolade (noun) | 1 the touching on the shoulder with a sword in the ceremony of making someone a knight. 2 praise or approval (receive accolades for his bravery). | ||
| accommodate (verb) | 1 to provide lodgings for (accommodate the travelers in the hotel). 2 to have space for (a garage accommodating three cars). 3 to supply with (accommodate them with a loan). 4 to make suitable, to adapt (accommodate his way of life to his salary). | ||
| accommodating (adjective) | obliging (an accommodating friend). | ||
| accommodation (noun) | 1 lodgings (cheap accommodation for student travelers). 2 adaptation. | ||
| accompaniment | Collective noun for condiments (An accompaniment of condiments) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| accompaniment (noun) | the music played with a singer or player (musical accompaniment for the voice). | ||
| accompanist (noun) | someone who plays the accompaniment for a singer or player (the accompanist played piano). | ||
| accompany (verb) | 1 to go with (accompany her to the concert). 2 to join a singer or player by playing a musical instrument. | ||
| accomplice (noun) | a helper, especially in crime (the burglar’s accomplice). | ||
| accomplish (verb) | to perform successfully, to finish (accomplish the task). | ||
| accomplished (adjective) | 1 finished (the accomplished task). 2 skilled (an accomplished pianist). | ||
| accomplishment (noun) | 1 something done successfully. 2 completion. | ||
| accord (verb) | 1 to agree (his account of the accident accords with hers). 2 to give (accord them a warm welcome). n agreement. of your own accord by your own wish. | ||
| accordance (noun) | agreement. | ||
| according to (preposition) | 1 in keeping with (act according to the rules). 2 as stated by (according to the teacher). | ||
| accordingly (adverb) | therefore. | ||
| accordion (noun) | a portable musical instrument played by keys and worked by bellows. n accordionist | ||
| accost (verb) | to speak to first, to address. | ||
| account (verb) | (formal) to consider, to reckon (account him an honest man). n 1 a statement of money received and paid, a bill. 2 a report, description (an account of the accident). account for give an explanation of (account for his absence). of no account of no importance. on account of because of. | ||
| accountable (adjective) | responsible (not accountable for his brother’s crime). | ||
| accountancy (noun) | the work of an accountant (he studied accountancy). | ||
| accountant (noun) | someone who keeps or examines money accounts. | ||
| accumulate (verb) | 1 to increase, to heap up (garbage accumulated). 2 to collect (accumulate wealth). | ||
| accumulation (noun) | growth, a large collection. | ||
| accuracy (noun) | exactness, precision (to aim with accuracy). | ||
| accurate (adjective) | 1 correct, exact (an accurate answer). 2 correct, careful (an accurate worker). adv accurately. | ||
| accursed (adjective) | 1 under a curse, doomed (he seemed to be an accursed man). 2 hateful. | ||
| accusation (noun) | a charge brought against anyone (accusation of theft). | ||
| accuse (verb) | to charge with wrongdoing (accuse them of stealing cars). n accuser | ||
| accused (noun) | someone charged with wrongdoing (the accused was found guilty). | ||
| accustom (verb) | to make well known by use (accustom yourself to a different climate). | ||
| accustomed (adjective) | 1 usual (his accustomed evening walk). 2 used (to), familiar with (not accustomed to being treated rudely). | ||
| ace (noun) | 1 the value “one” at cards, dice, or dominoes (the ace of hearts). 2 someone good at sports (an ace on the running track). within an ace of on the very point of. | ||
| Aceology | study of remedies, or of therapeutics (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Acerophobia | fear of sourness (see list of phobias) | ||
| acetic (adjective) | sour, of vinegar. | ||
| acetylene (noun) | a gas used for giving light and heat, and commonly used with oxygen for welding or cutting metal. | ||
| ache (verb) | to be in or to give prolonged pain. n a prolonged or throbbing pain. | ||
| achieve (verb) | 1 to succeed in doing (achieve what we set out to do). 2 to gain (achieve success). | ||
| achievement (noun) | 1 something done successfully (the achievement of his aims). 2 a feat (a remarkable achievement). | ||
| Achluophobia | fear of darkness (see list of phobias) | ||
| acid (noun) | a sour or corrosive substance (a solution of dilute sulfuric acid). adj sour; sharp to the taste; bitter (an acid personality). | ||
| acid rain (noun) | rain that has been polluted by acid from factory waste, car exhausts, etc and which is harmful to the environment. | ||
| acid test (noun) | a test that indicates the worth or value of something (the acid test of his invention will be if it works). | ||
| acidity (noun) | sourness. | ||
| acknowledge (verb) | 1 to admit as true (acknowledge that he was wrong ak-naw-ledge-ment/. | ||
| acne | Collective noun for adolescents (An acne of adolescents) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| acne (noun) | a skin condition that causes pimples. | ||
| Acology | study of medical remedies (see list of branches of science) | ||
| acorn (noun) | the fruit or seed of the oak tree. | ||
| acoustic (adjective) | 1 having to do with hearing and sound (the acoustic problems of the old hall). 2 (of a musical instrument) making its natural sound, not electric (an acoustic guitar). | ||
| Acousticophobia | fear of noise (see list of phobias) | ||
| Acoustics | study of sound (see list of branches of science) | ||
| acoustics (noun, plural) | the science of sound. | ||
| acquaint (verb) | 1 to make familiar with (acquaint yourself with the new system). 2 to inform (acquaint them with the facts). | ||
| acquaintance (noun) | 1 a person you know (friends and acquaintances). 2 knowledge (a slight acquaintance with the plays of Tennessee Williams). | ||
| acquire (verb) | to gain, to obtain. | ||
| acquit (verb) | 1 to declare innocent. 2 to conduct yourself (acquit yourself well). | ||
| acquittal (noun) | a setting free. | ||
| acre (noun) | in the imperial system, a measure of land (= 4840 square yards or 4046.9 square meters). | ||
| acrobat (noun) | a high-wire or trapeze artiste. adj acrobatic. npl acrobatics the skills of an acrobat. | ||
| acronym (noun) | an abbreviation, made from the initial letters, or from combinations of letters from a word, which itself can be pronounced as a word (NATO is an acronym of North Atlantic Treaty Organization). | ||
| Acrophobia | fear of heights (see list of phobias) | ||
| act (verb) | 1 to do (act quickly). 2 to conduct yourself (act wisely). 3 to perform on the stage, in movies, or on television. 4 to produce an effect (drugs acting quickly). n 1 a deed (a kind act). 2 a law. 3 a part of a play. | ||
| Actinobiology | study of the scientific principles, mechanisms, and effects of the interaction of ionizing radiation with living matter (see list of branches of science) | ||
| action (noun) | 1 something done (take swift action). 2 a movement (good wrist action). 3 the producing of an effect. 4 the events in a narrative or drama. 5 a battle. | ||
| active (adjective) | 1 energetic (active children). 2 taking part, involved (an active member of the club). 3 being in action, working, operative (an active volcano). | ||
| activity (noun) | 1 energy. 2 occupation or pastime (spare-time activities). | ||
| actor (noun) | a man who performs in a play, or movie or on television. | ||
| actress (noun) | a woman who performs in a play or movie or on television. | ||
| actual (adjective) | 1 real, not imaginary (actual children, not characters in a television play). 2 true (the actual cost of the repairs). | ||
| actuality (noun) | reality. | ||
| actually (adverb) | really, as a matter of fact. | ||
| acupuncture (noun) | a treatment used in alternative medicine in which fine needles are inserted into the skin at certain points along energy paths known as meridians. | ||
| acute (adjective) | 1 coming to a sharp point. 2 sharp-witted. 3 (of emotions or diseases) intense but short-lasting. adv acutely. | ||
| acute angle (noun) | an angle less than 90º. | ||
| AD | abbreviation for Anno Domini, a Latin phrase meaning “in the year of our Lord”, which is used to describe the years following the birth of Jesus. | ||
| ad (noun) | short for advertisement. | ||
| adage (noun) | a proverb, an old wise saying. | ||
| adamant (adjective) | determined, firm (adamant that they were right). | ||
| adapt (verb) | 1 to make suitable, to fit to a different use (adapt the evening dress for day wear). 2 to change, adjust (adapt to new surroundings). | ||
| adaptable (adjective) | easily fitted to new uses or conditions. n adaptability | ||
| adaptation (noun) | the action or result of adapting. | ||
| adapter (noun) | a device for connecting electrical plugs with a socket. | ||
| add (verb) | 1 to join one thing to another. 2 to increase (add to their misery). 3 to say further (add a word of thanks). | ||
| adder (noun) | a small poisonous snake, a viper. | ||
| addict (noun) | a person who is dependent on and so unable to give up a habit, especially a harmful one such as drug-taking (a drug addict). | ||
| addicted (adjective) | dependent on, unable to give up (addicted to alcohol a-dic-shen/. | ||
| addition (noun) | 1 act of adding. 2 something added (an addition to the family). adj additional | ||
| additive (noun) | a substance added to another, especially to add flavor or color (food additives). | ||
| address (verb) | 1 to speak to (address the crowds). 2 to direct a letter. 3 to direct your attention or energy to (address the task). n 1 the place where a person lives or works. 2 the directions on a letter or envelope. 3 a formal talk (the head teacher’s address on speech day). | ||
| adenoids (noun, plural) | glands at the back of the nose that can hinder breathing if swollen. | ||
| Adenology | study of glands (see list of branches of science) | ||
| adept (adjective) | very skillful (adept at tennis). n someone who is skilled. | ||
| adequate (adjective) | 1 enough (adequate supplies). 2 satisfactory (adequate for the job). adv adequately. n adequacy. | ||
| adhere (verb) | 1 to stick (to). 2 to remain loyal to (adhere to your principles). n adherence | ||
| adhesive (adjective) | sticky. n a sticky substance, glue. | ||
| adieu (interjection) | the French word for farewell, goodbye. n (pl adieus or adieux ) a farewell. | ||
| adios (interjection) | the Spanish word for goodbye. | ||
| adjacent (adjective) | lying near (to) (the fire spread to adjacent buildings). | ||
| adjective (noun) | a word that describes a noun. adj adjectival adv adjectivally. | ||
| adjourn (verb) | 1 to put off to another time (adjourn the meeting). 2 to go to another place (adjourn to the next room). n adjournment | ||
| adjust (verb) | 1 to set right. 2 to put in order. adj adjustable n adjuster , adjustment | ||
| administer (verb) | 1 to manage, to govern (administer the firm’s finances). 2 to carry out (administer the law). 3 (fml) to give (administer medicine). | ||
| administration (noun) | 1 the management of a business or a government. 2 people involved in this. adj administrative | ||
| administrator (noun) | a person who works in administration (hospital administrators). | ||
| admirable (adjective) | deserving admiration or praise (admirable work). adv admirably | ||
| admiral (noun) | the highest rank of naval officer. | ||
| admiration (noun) | a feeling of pleased respect (look at the painting with admiration). | ||
| admire (verb) | to think very highly of (admire her work). n admirer | ||
| admission (noun) | 1 permission to enter (women being refused admission). 2 the amount payable for entry (admission $4). 3 a confession (an admission of guilt). | ||
| admit (verb) | 1 to allow to enter (the ticket admits two people). 2 to accept as true or just (admit that they are right). 3 to confess (admit his crime). | ||
| admittance (noun) | (formal) right or permission to enter (fail to gain admittance). | ||
| admittedly (adverb) | it cannot be denied. | ||
| admonish (verb) | to give a warning or scolding to. n admonition adj admonitory | ||
| ado (noun) | fuss, trouble (let us get on our way without further ado). | ||
| adobe (noun) | 1 a building material made of sun-dried earth and straw. 2 a building made of this material. | ||
| adolescent (adjective) | growing up from youth to adulthood. n a person of either sex when adolescent. n adolescence | ||
| adopt (verb) | 1 to take as your own (adopt a child). 2 to take over and use (adopt foreign customs). 3 to choose formally (adopt a candidate). n adoption | ||
| adorable (adjective) | lovable. | ||
| adore (verb) | 1 to worship (adore God). 2 to love or like very much (adore their mother a-do-ray-shun/. | ||
| adorn (verb) | to decorate, to make beautiful (adorn the tree with Christmas lights). adj adorned. | ||
| adornment (noun) | an ornament. | ||
| adrenalin (noun) | a chemical produced by your body when you are scared or excited. | ||
| adrenaline (noun) | a chemical produced by your body when you are scared or excited. | ||
| adrift (adjective/adverb) | floating without control. | ||
| adulation (noun) | extreme praise, flattery. | ||
| adult (adjective) | grown-up (an adult animal). n a grown-up person. | ||
| adulterate (verb) | to lower in value by mixing with something of less worth (e.g. to mix wine with water, gold with tin, etc). n adulteration | ||
| advance | Collective noun for authors (An advance of authors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| advance (verb) | 1 to put forward (advance a theory). 2 to go forward (armies advancing). 3 to help promote (advance the cause of freedom). 4 to lend (the bank advanced him $5000). n 1 a forward movement (the advance of the army). 2 progress (little advance in the discussions). 3 a loan (of money), especially a payment made before the normal time (an advance on his paycheck). 4 increase (any advance on $500 for this picture?). in advance in front; before. | ||
| advanced (adjective) | 1 far on (in life, time, etc) (of advanced years/an illness at an advanced stage). 2 at a high level, not elementary (advanced studies). 3 modern and new and sometimes not yet generally accepted (advanced ideas). | ||
| advantage (noun) | 1 a better position or something that puts someone in a better position (he has the advantage of being older). 2 gain, profit, benefit (little advantage in having a car if you can’t afford to run it). | ||
| advantageous (adjective) | profitable; helpful. adv advantageously | ||
| advent (noun) | a coming, an arrival (the advent of train travel). | ||
| Advent (noun) | in the Christian Church, the period from the fourth Sunday before Christmas to Christmas Day. | ||
| adventure (noun) | an exciting or dangerous deed or undertaking. | ||
| adventurer (noun) | 1 someone who seeks adventures. 2 someone who lives by his or her wits. | ||
| adventurous (adjective) | 1 daring, eager for adventure (adventurous children). 2 dangerous, involving risk (an adventurous journey). | ||
| adverb (noun) | a word that modifies the meaning of a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. adj adverbial | ||
| adversary (noun) | an enemy. | ||
| adverse (adjective) | acting against, unfavorable (adverse weather conditions ad-verse-lee/. | ||
| adversity (noun) | misfortune. | ||
| advertise (verb) | to make known to the public. n advertiser | ||
| advertisement (noun) | an announcement to the public, often for the purpose of selling something. | ||
| advice (noun) | 1 a helpful opinion offered to another (seek expert financial advice). 2 a formal letter, etc, giving information (a sales advice). | ||
| advisable (adjective) | wise; correct in the circumstances. n advisability | ||
| advise (verb) | 1 to give advice (advise them to leave). 2 to inform (advise us of the cost). | ||
| adviser (noun) | someone who gives advice. | ||
| advisory (adjective) | for the purpose of giving advice. | ||
| advocate (noun) | 1 someone who speaks for another. 2 a lawyer who pleads a cause in court. vb to recommend, to speak in favor of (advocate a change of climate for his health). | ||
| Aedoeology | study of generative organs (see list of branches of science) | ||
| aerial (adjective) | of or from the air (aerial photography). n (British spelling) a radio or television antenna. | ||
| aerie (noun), also eyrie (British spelling) | 1 the nest of an eagle or other bird of prey. 2 any high isolated place. | ||
| Aeroacrophobia | fear of open high places (see list of phobias) | ||
| aerobatics (noun, plural) | difficult exercises performed in the air by an aircraft. | ||
| aerobics (noun) | a type of physical exercise that strengthens the heart and lungs by temporarily increasing the heart rate (she says she became very fit after doing aerobics for almost a year). adj aerobic | ||
| Aerobiology | study of airborne organisms (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Aerodonetics | study of gliding (see list of branches of science) | ||
| aerodynamic (adjective) | streamlined for smooth movement through the air. | ||
| Aerodynamics | study of movement in a flow of air or gas (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Aerolithology | study of aerolites; meteorites (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Aerology | study of the atmosphere (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Aeronausiphobia | fear of vomiting secondary to airsickness (see list of phobias) | ||
| Aeronautics | study of navigation through air or space (see list of branches of science) | ||
| aeronautics (noun) | the science of the operation and flight of aircraft. | ||
| Aeropalynology | study of pollens and spores in atmosphere (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Aerophobia | fear of aircraft or flying (see list of phobias) | ||
| aerosol (noun) | 1 a liquid under pressure in a container, which is released in a fine spray (deodorants in the form of aerosols). 2 the container for this (aerosols of perfume). | ||
| Aerostatics | study of air pressure; art of ballooning (see list of branches of science) | ||
| affable (adjective) | pleasant, polite, easy to talk with (she has a very affable manager at her work). n affability adv affably. | ||
| affair (noun) | 1 business (affairs of state). 2 a matter, a concern (no affair of yours). 3 happenings or events connected with a particular person or thing (the Watergate affair). 4 a romantic or sexual relationship. | ||
| affect (verb) | 1 to act upon (a disease affecting his eyes). 2 to move the feelings (deeply affected by his death). 3 to pretend (affect grief). | ||
| affectation (noun) | manner or behavior that is not natural; pretense (her helplessness is just an affectation). | ||
| affected (adjective) | full of affectation (an affected young woman). | ||
| affection (noun) | fondness, love. | ||
| affectionate (adjective) | loving. adv affectionately | ||
| affiliate (verb) | to joined or be connected with something (affiliate yourself with that club). n affiliation | ||
| affinity (noun) | 1 relationship (languages having an affinity with each other). 2 attraction (an affinity between them). | ||
| affirm (verb) | to state with certainty. | ||
| affirmation (noun) | 1 a statement. 2 a solemn statement of the truth. | ||
| affirmative (adjective) | answering “yes”. n an answer meaning “yes”. answer in the affirmative to say “yes”. | ||
| afflict (verb) | to cause pain, distress, etc, to (she is afflicted with poor health a-flic-shun/. | ||
| affluence (noun) | wealth. | ||
| affluent (adjective) | wealthy. | ||
| afford (verb) | 1 to be able to pay for (they were unable to afford a vacation). 2 to be able to do, spend, etc, something without trouble, loss, etc (unable to afford the time). 3 (fml) to give (the occasion afforded him much pleasure). | ||
| afloat (adjective/adverb) | floating. | ||
| aforesaid (adjective) | already mentioned. | ||
| afraid (adjective) | frightened. | ||
| afresh (adverb) | again (begin afresh). | ||
| African American (noun) | a United States citizen who has African ancestors. adj describing African Americans, or their culture, history, etc. | ||
| aft (adjective and adverb) | at or near the stern of a ship. | ||
| after (adverb) | and prep 1 later in time (than) (after the meal). 2 behind (come after them). | ||
| aftermath (noun) | the period of time, or consequences, following an unpleasant or unfortunate event (the aftermath of the war). | ||
| afternoon (noun) | the time from noon to evening. | ||
| afterthought (noun) | 1 a fresh thought after an act or speech. 2 something added or done later, not part of an original plan (a garage added as an afterthought). | ||
| afterward (adverb) | later. | ||
| again (adverb) | once more. | ||
| against (preposition) | 1 in opposition to (people against the new law). 2 supported by (lean against the wall). | ||
| agate (noun) | a very hard precious stone. | ||
| Agateophobia | fear of insanity (see list of phobias) | ||
| age (noun) | 1 the length of time a person or thing has lived or existed. 2 (inf) a long time (wait ages for a bus). 3 the state of being old (improve with age). 4 a particular period in history (the Stone Age). vb 1 to become old. 2 to make old (worry has aged her). | ||
| aged (adjective) | 1 at the age of (boys aged ten). 2 old (my aged grandfather). | ||
| ageless (adjective) | never becoming old. | ||
| agency (noun) | the office or business of an agent. | ||
| agenda | Collective noun for tasks (An agenda of tasks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| agenda (noun) | a list of matters to be discussed at a meeting. | ||
| agent (noun) | 1 someone or something that acts (cleaning agents that harm the skin). 2 a person who acts on behalf of someone else. | ||
| aggravate (verb) | 1 to make worse (aggravate the situation by losing his temper). 2 (inf) to make angry (children aggravating their mother). adj aggravating. n aggravation. | ||
| aggression (noun) | 1 an attack. 2 hostile feelings. | ||
| aggressive (adjective) | 1 always ready to attack, quarrelsome. 2 forceful, determined (an aggressive sales campaign). adv aggressively | ||
| aggressor (noun) | the first to attack. | ||
| agile (adjective) | quick of movement, nimble. n agility | ||
| agitate (verb) | 1 to excite, to make anxious (delay agitates her). 2 to try to stir up public feeling (agitate for prison reform). 3 (fml) to shake (agitate the bottle). n agitation | ||
| agitator (noun) | someone who tries to cause public discontent or revolt. | ||
| Agliophobia | fear of pain (see list of phobias) | ||
| Agnoiology | study of ignorance (see list of branches of science) | ||
| agnostic (noun) | someone who believes that the existence of God cannot be proved. | ||
| ago (adverb) | in the past (a long time ago). | ||
| agony (noun) | 1 great pain (in agony from a gunshot wound). 2 great distress (the agony of divorce). | ||
| Agoraphobia | fear of open spaces (see list of phobias) | ||
| Agraphobia | fear of sexual abuse (see list of phobias) | ||
| agree (verb) | 1 to be of the same opinion (agree that everyone should go). 2 to be alike (statements that agree). 3 to suit (a climate that agrees with her). | ||
| agreeable (adjective) | 1 pleasant (an agreeable climate). 2 ready to agree (we were not all agreeable to vote that way). adv agreeably | ||
| agreement (noun) | 1 sameness of opinion (in agreement about the new plans). 2 likeness (little agreement in their statements). 3 a contract (sign an agreement). | ||
| agriculture (noun) | the science of cultivating the land, farming. adj agricultural | ||
| Agriology | study of primitive peoples (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Agrizoophobia | fear of wild animals (see list of phobias) | ||
| Agrobiology | study of plant nutrition; soil yields (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Agroecology | study of ecological processes applied to agricultural production systems (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Agrogeology | study of agrominerals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Agrology | study of agricultural soils (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Agronomics | study of productivity of land (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Agrostology | study of grasses (see list of branches of science) | ||
| aground (adjective/adverb) | on or onto the sea bed. | ||
| Agyrophobia | fear of streets or crossing the street (see list of phobias) | ||
| ahead (adverb) | 1 in front (go on ahead to clear the way). 2 forward, for the future (plan ahead). | ||
| AI | abbreviation for artificial intelligence, the study of the capacity of computers to simulate human intelligence. | ||
| Aichmophobia | fear of needles or pointed objects (see list of phobias) | ||
| aid (verb) | to help. n help. | ||
| aide (noun), | short for aide-de-camp (pl aides-de-camp) an officer in attendance on a king, general or other high official (a White House aide). | ||
| AIDS, Aids (noun) | a condition caused by a virus (HIV)that affects the body’s immune system, greatly reducing resistance to infection (AIDS is an acronym of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). | ||
| ailing (adjective) | 1 unwell (his ailing wife). 2 weak (the country’s ailing economy). | ||
| ailment (noun) | a minor health problem. | ||
| Ailurophobia | fear of cats (see list of phobias) | ||
| aim (verb) | 1 to point a weapon (at). 2 to intend, to try (aim to win). n 1 the act of aiming a weapon. 2 intention, goal, purpose (our aim is to win). | ||
| aimless (adjective) | without purpose (aimless discussions). | ||
| air (noun) | 1 the mixture of gases composing the earth’s atmosphere (the air we breathe). 2 a light breeze (the sea air). 3 a tune (play a familiar air). 4 manner (an air of confidence). 5 pl a manner that is not genuine (put on airs). vb 1 to expose to fresh air (air the room by opening the windows). 2 to expose to warm air, to dry (air the laundry). 3 to speak openly about (air your views). | ||
| air bag (noun) | an inflatable safety device in automobiles that inflates on impact to cushion the driver. | ||
| air pocket (noun) | a stream of air that carries an aircraft suddenly up or down. | ||
| air raid (noun) | an attack by aircraft. | ||
| air-conditioning (noun) | a system for controlling the temperature and quality of the air in a building. adj air-conditioned n air-conditioner | ||
| aircraft (noun) | a flying machine. | ||
| airfield (noun) | a starting and landing place for aircraft. | ||
| airily (adverb) | in an airy manner. | ||
| airing (noun) | 1 act of exposing to fresh or warm air. 2 an outing in the open air. | ||
| airless (adjective) | stuffy. | ||
| airline (noun) | a company providing regular aircraft services. | ||
| airliner (noun) | a large passenger aircraft. | ||
| airmail (noun) | a postal service where mail is carried by airplane. | ||
| airplane (noun), also aeroplane (British spelling) | a heavier-than-air flying machine with wings. | ||
| airport (noun) | a station for passenger aircraft. | ||
| airship (noun) | an aircraft kept aloft by a gas-filled balloon and driven by a motor. | ||
| airtight (adjective) | so sealed that air can pass neither in nor out (preserve fruit in an airtight bottle). | ||
| airy (adjective) | 1 with plenty of fresh air (an airy room). 2 lacking seriousness (an airy disregard for authority). | ||
| aisle (noun) | 1 the side part of a church, often separated from the central part by a row of pillars. 2 a passage in a church. 3 a passage in a theater or store. | ||
| ajar (adverb) | partly open (doors left ajar). | ||
| akimbo (adverb) | with the hand on the hip and the elbow outward (arms akimbo). | ||
| akin (adjective) | similar (problems akin to ours). | ||
| Akousticophobia | fear of sound (see list of phobias) | ||
| alabaster (noun) | a soft marble-like stone. | ||
| alarm (noun) | 1 a warning of danger (hear a burglar alarm). 2 sudden fear (news causing alarm). vb to frighten. | ||
| alarm clock n | a clock that can be set to ring or buzz to wake you. | ||
| alarming (adjective) | frightening. adv alarmingly. | ||
| alarmist (noun) | someone who needlessly spreads frightening news or rumors. adj causing needless fear. | ||
| alas (interjection) | a cry of grief or pity. | ||
| albatross (noun) | a large white seabird. | ||
| albino (noun) | a person or animal with white skin and hair and pink eyes because they have no natural coloring. | ||
| album | Collective noun for photographs (An album of photographs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| album | Collective noun for stamps (An album of stamps) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| album (noun) | 1 a blank book into which may be put autographs, photographs, stamps, etc. 2 a collection of songs on a CD or other recording (the band’s latest album). | ||
| Albuminurophobia | fear of kidney disease (see list of phobias) | ||
| alcohol (noun) | 1 pure spirit. 2 strong liquor containing such spirit (addicted to alcohol). | ||
| alcoholic (noun) | someone who is addicted to alcohol. adj having to do with alcohol (alcoholic drinks). | ||
| alcove (noun) | a recess, a section of a room, etc, that is set back from the main part. | ||
| ale (noun) | a light-colored, bitter beer. | ||
| Alektorophobia | fear of chickens or ducks (see list of phobias) | ||
| alert (adjective) | 1 attentive (sentries must be alert on duty). 2 quick (mentally alert). n a warning of danger. n alertness. | ||
| Alethiology | study of truth (see list of branches of science) | ||
| alfalfa (noun) | a green plant used as cattle food. | ||
| algebra (noun) | a method of calculation in which letters and symbols are used to represent numbers. adj algebraic | ||
| Algedonics | study of pleasure and pain (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Algology | study of algae (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Algology | study of pain (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Algophobia | fear of pain (see list of phobias) | ||
| alias (adverb) | otherwise (Fred Jones, alias Martin Smith). n a false name (the alias adopted by the spy). | ||
| alibi (noun) | the plea that you were elsewhere when a crime was committed (establish an alibi). | ||
| alien (adjective) | 1 foreign (find ourselves in an alien land). 2 different, strange (attitudes that are alien to ours). n 1 a foreigner, a person who is not a naturalized citizen of the country where he or she is living. 2 a being from another world. | ||
| alienate (verb) | to make unfriendly (alienate his family with his violence). | ||
| alight1 (verb) | 1 to get down (from) (alight from the bus). 2 to settle upon (butterflies alighting on the leaves). | ||
| alight2 (adjectiv/adverb) | on fire. | ||
| align (verb) | 1 to put in line, to straighten. 2 to join, ally yourself with (align himself with the enemy). n alignment | ||
| alike (adjective) | like, similar. adv in the same way. | ||
| alimentary canal (noun) | the passage through the body by which food is received and digested. | ||
| alimony (noun) | the money payable regularly by a man or woman to his or her former spouse after legal separation or divorce. | ||
| alive (adjective) | 1 living (wounded soldiers still alive). 2 lively (eyes alive with excitement). 3 aware of (alive to danger). | ||
| alkali (noun) | a substance such as potash or soda that neutralizes acids and unites with oil or fat to form soap. | ||
| all (adjective) | 1 every one of (all the girls). 2 the whole of (all the cake). n 1 everyone (all left). 2 everything (eat it all). adv wholly, entirely. | ||
| all right (British spelling) | alright. | ||
| Allah (noun) | the Islamic name for God. | ||
| allay (verb) | to calm (allay their fears). | ||
| all-dressed (adjective) | describing an item of food, such as a pizza or a hot dog, that is topped with all available garnishes. | ||
| allege (verb) | to state without proof. n allegation (can you provide proof of that allegation?). adj alleged (the alleged thief sat in the court room). | ||
| allegiance (noun) | loyalty. | ||
| allegory (noun) | a story with a hidden meaning different from the obvious one. adj allegorical | ||
| allegro (adverb) | (in music) briskly. | ||
| allergy (noun) | a reaction of the body to some substance (come out in a rash because of an allergy to cats). adj allergic | ||
| alleviate (verb) | to lessen (alleviating pain). n alleviation | ||
| alley (noun) | 1 a narrow walk or passage. 2 a lane for bowling. 3 a building containing lanes for bowling. | ||
| alliance (noun) | a union between families, governments, etc. | ||
| alligator (noun) | a reptile related to the crocodile that is found in North and South America and China. | ||
| alliteration (noun) | the repetition of a sound at the beginning of words especially in poetry, for example, “Peter picked a peck of pickled pepper”. | ||
| Alliumphobia | fear of garlic (see list of phobias) | ||
| allocate (verb) | to share out, to distribute (allocating tasks to each of the children). n allocation | ||
| Allodoxaphobia | fear of opinions (see list of phobias) | ||
| allot (verb) (allotted, allotting) | to give a share, to distribute (allot the money collected to various charities). | ||
| allotment (noun) | 1 act of allotting. 2 a small piece of land for growing vegetables, etc. | ||
| allow (verb) | 1 to permit (allow them to go). 2 to provide, to set aside (allow three hours for the journey). | ||
| allowable (adjective) | permissible. | ||
| allowance (noun) | a sum of money granted for a special purpose (a dress allowance). make allowance for take into consideration. | ||
| alloy (noun) | a mixture of metals. | ||
| allude (verb) | to refer to, to mention (allude to several new developments in his speech). n allusion adj allusive | ||
| allure (verb) | to attract (allure them to new jobs with promises of high salaries). n attraction, charm (the allure of the stage). n allurement adj alluring | ||
| ally (verb) | to join with another for a special purpose (e.g. by marriage or by treaty) (ally ourselves with the blue team). adj allied n 1 a helper (one of the President’s closest allies). 2 a nation bound to another by treaty of friendship (a victory for the allies against the enemy). | ||
| almanac (noun), | also almanack a book containing a calendar and information about anniversaries, tides, stars, and planets, etc. | ||
| almighty (adjective) | 1 (often cap) all-powerful (Almighty God). 2 (inf) very great, strong, loud, etc (an almighty crash). n The Almighty God. | ||
| almond (noun) | an oval nut. | ||
| almost (adverb) | nearly (almost midnight she almost fell). | ||
| aloe (noun) | a plant with a bitter juice used in medicines, especially for the skin. | ||
| aloft (adverb) | high up in the air (hold the flag aloft). | ||
| aloha (interjection) | a Hawaiian word, meaning love, used to say hello or goodbye. | ||
| alone (adjective/adverb) | 1 without company (live alone/go on vacation alone). 2 taken by itself (money alone is not enough). | ||
| alongside (adverb/preposition) | by the side of (draw up alongside their car). | ||
| aloof (adverb) | apart, distant (stand aloof from his friends’ quarreling). adj distant, cool (aloof people who do not make friends). n aloofness. | ||
| aloud (adverb) | so as can be heard (read aloud). | ||
| alp (noun) | a high mountain. | ||
| alphabet (noun) | the set of letters used in writing a language. adj alphabetical (in alphabetical order). | ||
| alpine (adjective) | having to do with high mountains, especially the Swiss Alps (alpine plants). | ||
| already (adverb) | 1 before this time, previously (I have already seen the movie). 2 now or before the expected time (are you leaving already?). | ||
| alright (adjective) | 1 acceptable or satisfactory (the show was alright). 2 safe or well (I am feeling alright now). adv an expression of agreement (alright, I will). | ||
| altar (noun) | 1 a raised place or table on which sacrifices are offered. 2 a communion table. | ||
| alter (verb) | to change (alter your lifestyle neighborhoods that have altered). n alteration | ||
| alternate (adjective) | 1 first one coming, then the other (a pattern with alternate squares and circles). 2 every other (visit on alternate Tuesdays). 3 alternative (offer an alternate appointment). vb 1 to do, use, cause, arrange, etc, by turns (alternating reading with watching television). 2 to happen by turns (rainy days alternated with dry ones). adv alternately n alternation | ||
| alternative (noun) | 1 a choice between two things (they were told the alternatives are to go or to stay). 2 (inf) a choice of two or more possibilities. adj used instead of something else. adv alternatively | ||
| although (conjunction) | though. | ||
| altitude (noun) | height. | ||
| alto (noun) | 1 the highest male singing voice. 2 a low female singing voice, properly called contralto 3 a singer having this voice. Also adj. | ||
| altogether (adverb) | 1 wholly (not altogether satisfied). 2 including everything ($20 altogether). 3 on the whole (altogether the vacation was a success). | ||
| Altophobia | fear of heights (see list of phobias) | ||
| altruism (noun) | acting to please others rather than yourself. n altruist adj altruistic | ||
| aluminum (noun), also aluminium (British spelling) | a soft, white, light metal. | ||
| always (adverb) | at all times. | ||
| am | abbreviation for ante meridiem, a Latin phrase meaning before midday. | ||
| am (verb) | the form of the verb be used with “I”. | ||
| Amakaphobia | fear of carriages (see list of phobias) | ||
| amalgam | Collective noun for dentists (An amalgam of dentists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| amalgam (noun) | a mixture, especially of mercury with another metal. | ||
| amalgamate (verb) | to unite, to join together (amalgamate the clubs a-mal-ga-may-shun/. | ||
| amalgamation | Collective noun for metallurgists (An amalgamation of metallurgists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| amass (verb) | to collect a large amount of. | ||
| amateur (noun) | 1 someone who takes part in any activity for the love of it, not for money (a tennis tournament open only to amateurs). 2 a person without skill or expertise in something (repairs carried out by an amateur). n amateurism /a-ma-te-rizm, a-ma-che-rizm. | ||
| amateurish (adjective) | inexpert, unskillful (his amateurish repair of the fence). | ||
| Amathophobia | fear of dust (see list of phobias) | ||
| Amaxophobia | fear of riding in a car (see list of phobias) | ||
| amaze (verb) | to astonish (her rudeness amazed me a-maze-ment/. | ||
| ambassador (noun) | a high-ranking official appointed to represent their government in a foreign country. adj ambassadorial | ||
| amber (noun) | a clear yellowish substance used for ornaments. adj 1 made of amber (amber beads). 2 brownish-yellow (amber eyes). | ||
| ambidextrous (adjective) | able to do things equally well with either hand. | ||
| ambiguous (adjective) | having more than one meaning (the ambiguous statement left him in doubt). n ambiguity | ||
| ambition (noun) | 1 desire for power, determination to succeed (people of ambition struggling for promotion). 2 a goal, aim (his ambition is to play football for his country). adj ambitious | ||
| amble | Collective noun for walkers (An amble of walkers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| amble (verb) | to walk at an easy pace (ambling along although late for school). n 1 an easy pace. 2 a slow walk. n ambler | ||
| ambulance (noun) | a vehicle for carrying the sick or injured. | ||
| Ambulophobia | fear of walking (see list of phobias) | ||
| ambush | Collective noun for widows (An ambush of widows) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| ambush (noun) | 1 a body of people so hidden as to be able to make a surprise attack on an approaching enemy. 2 the place where such people hide. 3 a surprise attack made by people in hiding (killed in a terrorist ambush). vb to lie in wait, to attack from an ambush (the soldiers ambushed the convoy of trucks carrying food to the refugees). | ||
| ameba, amoeba (noun) (plural amebae, amoebae) | a tiny living creature found in water. adj amebic, amoebic | ||
| ameliorate (verb) | 1 to make better (the new medicine has ameliorated her condition). 2 to grow better (the dreadful weather conditions have ameliorated slightly). n amelioration | ||
| amen (interjection) | may it be so; so be it (at the end of the prayer, everyone said “Amen”). | ||
| amenable (adjective) | ready to be guided or influenced (the new managing director is amenable to your suggestions). | ||
| amend (verb) | 1 (formal) to change for the better (amend your ways). 2 to correct (amend the author’s manuscript). 3 to alter slightly (amend the law). to make amends to make up for a wrong done (he tried to make amends for his bad behavior with flowers and chocolates). | ||
| amendment (noun) | 1 an improvement. 2 an alteration (e.g. in a law). | ||
| amenities (noun, plural) | things that make life easier or more pleasant (the amenities of the town, such as the library, theater, bowling alley, etc). | ||
| American (adjective) | 1 describing the United States of America (the American flag). 2 describing North, Central or South America. n 1 a person from the United States of America. 2 a person from North, Central or South America. | ||
| amethyst (noun) | a precious stone of a bluish-violet or purple color. | ||
| amiable (adjective) | friendly, pleasant (an amiable young man ay-mee-a-bi-li-tee/. | ||
| amicable (adjective) | friendly (settle the dispute in an amicable way). | ||
| amid, amidst (preposition) | in the middle of, among. | ||
| amiga (noun) | the Spanish word for “female friend”, used informally in English. | ||
| amigo (noun) | the Spanish word for “male friend”, used informally in English | ||
| amiss (adverb) | wrong (something amiss). take amiss to take offense at. | ||
| ammonia (noun) | 1 a strong-smelling, colorless gas. 2 a solution of ammonia gas and water (ammonia may be used for cleaning). | ||
| ammunition (noun) | 1 any projectile, such as a bullet, that can be discharged from a weapon. 2 facts, etc, used against someone in an argument (he came to court armed with plenty of ammunition). | ||
| amnesia (noun) | loss of memory (a blow to the head caused his amnesia). | ||
| Amnesiphobia | fear of amnesia (see list of phobias) | ||
| amnesty (noun) | a general pardon (an amnesty for all political prisoners). | ||
| among, amongst (preposition) | 1 in the middle of (a house among the trees). 2 in shares or parts to each person (share the candy among you). 3 in the group of (the best among his novels). | ||
| amorous (adjective) | feeling or expressing love or sexual desire (amorous glances). | ||
| amount (verb) | 1 to add up to (bills amounting to $3000). 2 to be equal to (a reply amounting to a refusal). n the sum total. | ||
| amp | abbreviation for ampere. | ||
| ampere (noun) | the unit used in measuring electric current, usually shortened to amp. | ||
| ampersand (noun) | a character (&) that stands for “and” (Jones & Son). | ||
| amphibian (noun) | 1 a creature that can live both on land and in water (frogs are amphibians). 2 a vehicle designed to move over land or water. 3 an aircraft that can take off from or land on either land or water. adj amphibious | ||
| amphitheater (noun), also amphitheatre (British spelling) | an oval or circular theater or building in which the seats rise in tiers around and above a central stage or arena. | ||
| ample (adjective) | 1 large (a lady with an ample bosom). 2 enough, sufficient, more than enough (ample time to get there/ample opportunity). | ||
| amplifier (noun) | an instrument for making sounds louder. | ||
| amplify (verb) | 1 to enlarge (amplify his statement with further details). 2 to make louder. n amplification | ||
| amplitude (noun) | size, extent, abundance. | ||
| amply (adverb) | fully, sufficiently (amply paid). | ||
| amputate (verb) | to cut off (a limb). n amputation | ||
| amulet (noun) | an ornament worn as a charm against evils. | ||
| amuse (verb) | 1 to entertain, to give pleasure (amuse the children by reading to them). 2 to make laugh or smile (amused by the comedian’s jokes). adj amusing | ||
| amusement (noun) | 1 pleasure, entertainment (play the piano purely for her own amusement). 2 entertainment, pastime (a wide variety of amusements, such as pool, badminton, table tennis). | ||
| Amychophobia | fear of scratches or being scratched (see list of phobias) | ||
| Anablephobia | fear of looking up (see list of phobias) | ||
| anaconda (noun) | a large snake of South America. | ||
| Anaesthesiology | study of anaesthetics (see list of branches of science) | ||
| anagram (noun) | a word or words formed by arranging the letters of a word or phrase in a new order (e.g. mite from time). | ||
| analog (noun), also analogue (British spelling) | an object, such as a pointer on a dial, used to measure something else. | ||
| analogous (adjective) | similar (in a situation analogous to our own). | ||
| analogy (noun) | 1 likeness (the analogy between the human heart and a pump). 2 the process of reasoning based on such similarity (explain the movement of light as an analogy with that of water). | ||
| analysis (noun) (plural analyses) | 1 the process of analyzing (subject the food to analysis). 2 a statement of the results of this. 3 short for psychoanalysis adj analytical | ||
| analyst (noun) | 1 someone who analyzes, especially in chemistry. 2 short for psychoanalyst | ||
| analyze (verb), also analyse (British spelling) | to break a thing up into its parts or elements (analyze the food for signs of poison/analyze the facts and figures). | ||
| anarchist (noun) | someone who wishes to do away with all government. | ||
| anarchy (noun) | 1 lawlessness. 2 absence of government. | ||
| anathema (noun) | 1 a solemn curse. 2 a thing that is accursed or hateful. 3 something or someone that one detests or strongly disapproves of (bullying is anathema to him). | ||
| Anatidaephobia | fear of chickens (see list of phobias) | ||
| Anatomy | study of the structure of the body (see list of branches of science) | ||
| anatomy (noun) | 1 the study of the way the body is put together (study anatomy). 2 the cutting up of a body to study its parts and their relation to each other. 3 (often hum) the body (leaving some parts of his anatomy uncovered). adj anatomical n anatomist | ||
| ancestor (noun) | forefather, a person from whom you are descended. adj ancestral. | ||
| ancestry (noun) | line of forefathers. | ||
| anchor (noun) | 1 a heavy iron hook that grips the sea bed and holds a ship at rest in the water. 2 a person or thing that provides support, stability or security (his wife was an anchor to him). vb 1 to hold fast by an anchor. 2 to drop an anchor. to weigh anchor to take up an anchor before sailing. | ||
| anchorage (noun) | a place where a ship can anchor. | ||
| anchovy (noun) | a small strong-tasting fish of the herring family. | ||
| ancient (adjective) | 1 old, existing since early times (ancient customs). 2 belonging to old times (ancient civilizations). 3 (inf) very old (still wearing that ancient coat). the ancients those who lived long ago, especially the Greeks and Romans. | ||
| ancillary (adjective) | supporting, helping, subsidiary (doctors and ancillary medical staff). | ||
| Ancraophobia | fear of wind (see list of phobias) | ||
| andante (adjective) | (music) with slow and graceful movement. | ||
| Andragogy | study of educating of adults (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Andrology | study of men's physiology (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Androphobia | fear of men (see list of phobias) | ||
| anecdote (noun) | a short, interesting or amusing story about a person or event. | ||
| anemia (noun), | also anaemia (British spelling) a condition caused by lack of red corpuscles in the blood, which causes pallor and fatigue. | ||
| anemic (adjective), also anaemic (British spelling) | 1 suffering from anemia. 2 pale, colorless (wearing an anemic shade of pink). 3 lifeless, lacking spirit (an anemic performance). | ||
| Anemology | study of wind (see list of branches of science) | ||
| anemone (noun) | the wind-flower, a kind of garden plant with red, purple, or white flowers. | ||
| Anemophobia | fear of air drafts or wind (see list of phobias) | ||
| anesthesia (noun), also anaesthesia (British spelling) | loss of feeling. | ||
| anesthesiologist (noun), also anaesthesiologist (British spelling) | the doctor in a hospital who gives anesthetics. | ||
| anesthetic (noun), also anaesthetic (British spelling) | a substance that causes loss of feeling for a time, either in the whole body (general anesthetic) or in a limited area of the body, such as a leg (local anesthetic) (given an anesthetic before the operation). Also adj. vb anesthetize , also anaesthetise (British spelling) | ||
| anesthetist (noun), also anaesthetist (British spelling) | 1 a nurse who gives anesthetics. 2 (British spelling) a medical doctor specializing in anesthetics. | ||
| anew (adverb) | (formal or old) again, in a new or different way (begin the attempt anew). | ||
| angel (noun) | 1 in Christianity, a spirit created to serve God (angels are usually shown in pictures with wings and wearing white). 2 a very good and helpful person (she was an angel to lend me the money). adj angelic (the child looked angelic but she was often very naughty). | ||
| angel food cake (noun) | a very light, pale-colored cake. | ||
| anger (noun) | a feeling of rage or fury. vb to enrage (angered by his rudeness). | ||
| angina (noun) | a disease of the heart, causing sudden, sharp pains. | ||
| Anginophobia | fear of angina, choking or narrowness (see list of phobias) | ||
| Angiology | study of blood flow and lymphatic system (see list of branches of science) | ||
| angle1 (noun) | 1 the space between two meeting lines (an angle of 90°). 2 a corner (a room full of angles). 3 point of view (looking at things from the parents’ angle). | ||
| angle2 (verb) | 1 to fish with hook and bait. 2 to try to get by indirect means (angle for an invitation). | ||
| angling (noun) | the art of fishing with a rod. n angler | ||
| Anglophobia | fear of England or English culture (see list of phobias) | ||
| angora (noun) | wool from a long-haired goat. | ||
| Angrophobia | fear of anger or of becoming angry (see list of phobias) | ||
| angry (adjective) | feeling or showing anger (an angry man ang-gri-lee/. | ||
| anguish (noun) | very great pain, of body or mind (suffer anguish until the lost child was found). adj anguished | ||
| angular (adjective) | 1 sharp-cornered (an angular building). 2 thin and bony (clothes hanging loosely on her angular body). | ||
| animal (noun) | 1 a living being with the power to feel and to move at will. 2 such a living being other than human beings (care about animals as well as people). 3 a four-footed creature, as distinct from a bird, fish, or insect. 4 a wild or uncivilized person. | ||
| animate (verb) | 1 to give life to. 2 to enliven, to make lively and interesting (need to animate our weekly discussions). adj living. | ||
| animation (noun) | liveliness, excitement. | ||
| animosity (noun) | strong dislike, hatred (cause animosity between neighbors). | ||
| ankle (noun) | the joint that connects the foot with the leg. | ||
| Ankylophobia | fear of immobility of a joint (see list of phobias) | ||
| annex (verb) | 1 to add to the end (annex a personal note to her report). 2 to take possession of (small countries annexed by the emperor). n, also annexe (British spelling) a part added to or situated near a building (the school annex). n annexation | ||
| annihilate (verb) | to destroy completely (annihilate the entire army a-ni-hi-lay-shun/. | ||
| anniversary (noun) | the yearly return of the date on which some event occurred and is remembered (their wedding anniversary/the anniversary of the end of the war). | ||
| annotate (verb) | to write notes upon. n annotation. | ||
| announce (verb) | to make known (announce their engagement). n announcement | ||
| announcer (noun) | in broadcasting, someone who introduces the programmes or reads news items. | ||
| annoy (verb) | to vex; to tease; to be troubled by something you dislike. n annoyance | ||
| annoyance | Collective noun for neighbours (An annoyance of neighbours) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| annual (adjective) | 1 yearly (her annual salary). 2 happening every year or only once a year (an annual festival). n 1 a plant lasting only for one year. 2 a book of which a new edition is published yearly (children’s annuals published for Christmas). adv annually | ||
| anoint (verb) | to put oil on, especially with the intention of making holy. | ||
| anomaly (noun) | something unusual, irregular or not normal (a bird with no wings is an anomaly a-nom-a-less/. | ||
| anon1 (adverb) | (old or humorous) soon (see you anon). | ||
| anon2 | abbreviation for anonymous (the author of the poem is anon). | ||
| anonymous (adjective) | nameless, of unknown name (an anonymous donor). n anonymity | ||
| anorexia (noun) | an eating disorder in which someone refuses to eat in order to lose weight, although already very thin. adj anorexic | ||
| answer (verb) | 1 to reply to (answer a letter answer the description). 3 to accept blame for or punishment (have to answer for your crimes). 4 to be responsible to (answer to a new boss). n 1 a reply. 2 a solution (to a problem). | ||
| answerable (adjective) | open to blame for (answerable for the damage). | ||
| answering machine (noun) | a machine that records telephone messages while someone is out. | ||
| ant (noun) | a small, social insect that lives in a colony. | ||
| antacid (noun) | a medicine that makes the stomach less acidic and relieves pain caused by acid (take an antacid for indigestion). | ||
| antagonism (noun) | opposition, ill feeling (cause antagonism between the partners). | ||
| antagonist (noun) | an opponent. | ||
| antagonistic (adjective) | opposed to, hostile. | ||
| antagonize (verb), also antagonise (British spelling) | to make an enemy of (antagonize neighbors with noisy behavior). | ||
| Antarctic (adjective) | of South Polar regions. | ||
| anteater (noun) | a mammal with a long snout that feeds on ants and termites. | ||
| antecedent (adjective) | (formal) going before (antecedent events). npl antecedents the previous family, history, etc, of a person. | ||
| antelope (noun) | a graceful, delicate animal like the deer. | ||
| antenatal (adjective) | before birth (antenatal exercises). | ||
| antenna (noun) | 1 (pl antennae) the feeler of an insect. 2 (pl antennas) a wire or rod, etc, for receiving radio waves or television signals. | ||
| anthem (noun) | a hymn or song of praise to God. | ||
| anthology | Collective noun for poems (An anthology of poems) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| anthology | Collective noun for prose (An anthology of prose) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| anthology (noun) | a collection of pieces of poetry or prose by different authors. | ||
| Anthophobia | fear of flowers (see list of phobias) | ||
| anthracite (noun) | a type of coal that burns almost without flame or smoke. | ||
| anthrax (noun) | a disease attacking sheep or cattle and sometimes infecting humans. | ||
| Anthrophobia | fear of flowers (see list of phobias) | ||
| Anthropobiology | study of human biology (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Anthropology | study of human cultures (see list of branches of science) | ||
| anthropology (noun) | the study of human beings in relation to their surroundings. | ||
| Anthropophobia | fear of people or society (see list of phobias) | ||
| Anthrozoology | study of human-animal interaction (see list of branches of science) | ||
| antibiotic (noun) | a substance used in medicine to destroy bacteria that cause disease (given an antibiotic to cure a septic throat). Also adj. | ||
| antibody (noun) | a protein your body produces to fight infections and illnesses (antibodies in the blood). | ||
| anticipate (verb) | 1 to expect (anticipate trouble at the rally). 2 to take action in advance of (we anticipated their arrival at the camp by getting there first). 3 to foresee (anticipate how they would act). n anticipation | ||
| anticlimax (noun) | an unexpectedly dull ending to a striking series of events (after the weeks of preparation, the actual festival seemed an anticlimax). | ||
| antics (noun, plural) | absurd or exaggerated behavior (the antics of the clowns). | ||
| antidote (noun) | a medicine that counteracts the effects of poison or disease (given an antidote when bitten by a snake). | ||
| antipathy (noun) | dislike, opposition to (feel antipathy toward the man who caused the accident). | ||
| antiquated (adjective) | old-fashioned, out of date (antiquated ideas). | ||
| antique (adjective) | 1 made in an earlier period and usually valuable (antique furniture). 2 (fml) connected with ancient times. n a piece of furniture, jewelry, etc, made in an earlier period and considered valuable. | ||
| antiquity (noun) | 1 ancient times, especially those of the Greeks and Romans. 2 the state of being old or of a great age (an object of great antiquity). | ||
| antiseptic (adjective) | having the power to kill germs. n an antiseptic substance (clean the wound with an antiseptic). | ||
| antithesis (noun) | (plural antitheses) 1 contrast of ideas, emphasized by similarity in expressing them. 2 the exact opposite. adj antithetical | ||
| antler (noun) | a branch of a stag’s horn. adj antlered. | ||
| Antlophobia | fear of floods (see list of phobias) | ||
| antonym (noun) | a word meaning the opposite of (ugly is the antonym of beautiful). | ||
| Anuptaphobia | fear of staying single (see list of phobias) | ||
| anxious (adjective) | worried about what will happen or has happened (anxious parents waiting for their lost children ang-zie-e-tee/. | ||
| any (adjective) | 1 one out of many (any of those hats will do). 2 some (do you have any sugar?). 3 every (any mother would be proud of you). adv at all (is it any warmer in there). | ||
| any more, anymore (adverb) | now, from now on (I don’t like it anymore). | ||
| anybody (pronoun) | any person (is anybody there?). | ||
| anyhow (adverb) | 1 in any way whatever (just paint the wall anyhow). 2 in any case (I never liked him anyhow). | ||
| anyone (pronoun) | any person, anybody (is anyone there?). | ||
| anyplace (adverb) | in, at, or to anywhere (have you been anyplace special?) | ||
| anything (pronoun) | any object, event, fact etc (he’ll believe anything). n a thing, no matter what kind (have you got anything to polish silver?). adv at all (he doesn’t look anything like his brother) | ||
| anytime (adverb) | at any hour, day, week, etc. (come visit anytime you are passing). | ||
| anyway (adverb) | in any case (I didn’t want to go anyway). adv any way in any manner (go any way you like). | ||
| anywhere | in, at, or to any place (I can go anywhere). | ||
| aorta (noun) | the great artery leading from the heart, carrying blood to all parts of the body. | ||
| apart (adverb) | separately (married but now living apart). | ||
| apartheid (noun) | a policy where different races are kept apart (South Africa used to have a racial political policy called apartheid). | ||
| apartment (noun) | 1 a room (the private apartments that cannot be visited in the palace). 2 a set of rooms rented as a dwelling (we have shared an apartment for over a year). | ||
| apartment house (noun) | a building divided up into apartments (he owns a number of apartment houses in the area). | ||
| apathy (noun) | lack of feeling or interest (people failing to vote in the election because of apathy). adj apathetic | ||
| ape (noun) | a mammal resembling a tailless monkey (e.g. gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutan, gibbon). vb to imitate exactly (she aped the behavior of her older brother). | ||
| Apeirophobia | fear of infinity (see list of phobias) | ||
| aperture (noun) | an opening, a hole (peek through an aperture in the fence). | ||
| apex (noun) | (plural apexes or apices) the top or highest point (the apex of the triangle/the apex of his career). | ||
| Aphenphosmphobia | fear of being touched (see list of phobias) | ||
| aphid (noun) | an insect that lives on the sap of green plants. | ||
| aphorism (noun) | a short, wise saying. | ||
| apiary (noun) | a place where bees are kept. | ||
| apiece (adverb) | to or for each one (plants costing 40 cents apiece). | ||
| Apiology | study of bees (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Apiphobia | fear of bees (see list of phobias) | ||
| apocalyptic (adjective) | 1 telling of great misfortune in the future (apocalyptic warning about the environment). 2 relating to an event of great importance, particularly an event of disastrous or catastrophic importance. | ||
| apocryphal (adjective) | not likely to be genuine; doubtful or untrue (the stories about his adventures are thought to be apocryphal). | ||
| apologetic (adjective) | making excuses, expressing regret (an apologetic refusal to the invitation). | ||
| apologize (verb), also apologise (British spelling) | to express regret for a fault or error, to say you are sorry (apologize for being late). | ||
| apology (noun) | an admission that wrong has been done, an expression of regret. | ||
| apostle (noun) | 1 someone sent to preach the gospel. 2 one of the twelve disciples of Christ. | ||
| apostrophe (noun) | a mark (’) indicating the possessive case or omission of certain letters. | ||
| Apotemnophobia | fear of persons with amputations (see list of phobias) | ||
| appall (verb) (appalled, appalling), also appal (British spelling) | to shock, to horrify (appalled at the state of the starving children). | ||
| appalling (adjective) | shocking, terrible, horrific. | ||
| apparatus (noun) | tools or equipment for doing work (gymnastic apparatus/laboratory apparatus). | ||
| apparel (noun) | clothing. vb (old) to dress. | ||
| apparent (adjective) | 1 easily seen, evident (it was apparent that he was very ill/worries that were apparent to everyone). 2 seeming but not necessarily real (her apparent concern for her friend). | ||
| apparently (adverb) | evidently, seemingly. | ||
| appeal (verb) | 1 to make an earnest and strong request for (appeal for money to feed her children). 2 to carry (a law case) to a higher court. 3 to interest, to please (films that appeal to me). Also n. | ||
| appear (verb) | 1 to come into sight (figures appearing out of the mist). 2 to seem (she appears sad). n appearance. | ||
| appease (verb) | 1 to calm, to make peaceful (appease the angry father by apologizing). 2 to satisfy by giving what is wanted (appease their curiosity). n appeasement. | ||
| append (verb) | to add, to attach (append their signatures to the document). | ||
| appendage (noun) | 1 something added or attached (signatures as appendages to the document). 2 something forming a part or attached to something larger or more important (appendages, as elephants’ trunks). | ||
| appendicitis (noun) | a painful disease of the appendix, usually requiring surgical removal. | ||
| appendix (noun) (plural appendixes or appendices) | 1 information added at the end of a book. 2 in your digestive system, a short, closed tube leading off the bowels. | ||
| appetite (noun) | desire to have something, especially food or pleasure (invalids with little appetite for hospital food/no appetite for love). | ||
| appetizer (noun) | something eaten or drunk to stimulate the appetite (savories served as an appetizer). | ||
| appetizing (adjective) | increasing the desire for food (appetizing smells from the kitchen). | ||
| applaud (verb) | 1 to praise by clapping or shouting (applauded warmly by the audience). 2 to praise. n applause | ||
| apple (noun) | 1 a tree with many varieties, and pink or white blossom. 2 the sweet fruit of this tree. | ||
| appliance (noun) | an instrument intended for some particular use (modern kitchen appliances). | ||
| applicable (adjective) | that may be applied, suitable under the circumstances (rules not applicable to the situation). n applicability | ||
| applicant (noun) | someone who asks for, a person who applies for or makes a formal request for (several applicants for the post). | ||
| application (noun) | 1 the act of applying. 2 a formal request (make an application for a council grant). 3 perseverance, hard work (application is required to pass the exams). | ||
| apply (verb) | 1 to put or spread on (apply the ointment to the wound). 2 to use (apply force). 3 to pay attention (to), to concentrate (apply yourself to your work). 4 to ask for, to put in a formal request for (apply for the post of manager). 5 to concern or be relevant to (the usual rules apply). | ||
| appoint (verb) | 1 to choose for a job or position (appoint her to the post of manager). 2 (fml) to fix or decide on (appoint a date for the meeting). | ||
| appointment (noun) | 1 a post or position (a teaching appointment). 2 a meeting arranged for a certain time (have several appointments today/a doctor’s appointment). | ||
| appraisal (noun) | the assessment of the value or quality of (give an appraisal of his assistant’s work). | ||
| appraise (verb) | to judge the value, quality, ability, etc, of (appraise her suitability for the job). | ||
| appreciable (adjective) | enough to be noticed (no appreciable difference). adv appreciably. | ||
| appreciate (verb) | 1 to recognize the value or good qualities of, to enjoy (appreciate good food). 2 to understand fully, to recognize (I appreciate your concern). 3 to be grateful for (appreciate your kindness). 4 to rise in value (houses appreciating in value). | ||
| appreciation (noun) | 1 a good or just opinion of (audiences showing their appreciation by applauding). 2 gratitude (in appreciation of his good work). 3 understanding (some appreciation of your problem). 4 increase in value (appreciation of property values). | ||
| appreciative (adjective) | 1 willing to understand and praise justly (appreciative of good music a-pree-sha-tive-lee/. | ||
| apprehend (verb) | (formal) to arrest, to seize (apprehended by the police). | ||
| apprehension (noun) | 1 (formal) fear, dread (view the arrival of the new manager with some apprehension). 2 (formal) arrest, seizure (the apprehension of the bank robbers). 3 (formal) understanding (no apprehension of the difficulties involved). | ||
| apprehensive (adjective) | afraid of what may happen (apprehensive about the exams). | ||
| apprentice (noun) | someone who is learning a trade or skill while working at it. vb to bind by agreement to serve as an apprentice. | ||
| apprenticeship (noun) | the time served as an apprentice. | ||
| approach (verb) | 1 to move nearer (to) (approaching the village/Christmas is approaching). 2 to seek an opportunity to speak to someone (approach him for a donation to the charity). n 1 act of approaching. 2 the way leading to a place. | ||
| approachable (adjective) | 1 able to be approached (villages not approachable by the road in winter). 2 easy to speak to (he’s unfriendly and not at all approachable). | ||
| approbation (noun) | praise, approval. | ||
| appropriate (verb) | 1 to take and use as your own (appropriate the firm’s money). 2 to set apart for a particular purpose or use (money appropriated by the government for training). adj suitable. adv appropriately n appropriation , appropriateness | ||
| approve (verb) | 1 to think well of, to accept as good (approve of your choice). 2 to agree to, to accept (approve the application). n approval on approval for a period of trial before purchase. | ||
| approximate (verb) | to come near to (a story approximating to the truth). adj nearly correct (an approximate price). | ||
| approximately (adverb) | nearly (approximately 9 o’clock/approximately four miles). | ||
| approximation (noun) | a nearly correct result (the figure is an approximation). | ||
| apricot (noun) | an orange-yellow fruit of the peach family. | ||
| April (noun) | the fourth month of the year. | ||
| apron (noun) | a garment or cloth worn in front to protect the clothes. | ||
| apt (adjective) | 1 suitable, appropriate (an apt reply). 2 ready to learn (an apt pupil). 3 having a tendency to (a car that is apt to break down). | ||
| aptitude (noun) | skill, cleverness (an aptitude for foreign languages). | ||
| aptly (adverb) | appropriately. | ||
| aptness (noun) | suitability (the aptness of the remark). | ||
| Aquaphobia | fear of water (see list of phobias) | ||
| aquarium (noun) (plural aquariums or aquaria) | a tank for (live) fish and water animals and water plants. | ||
| aquatic (adjective) | 1 living or growing in water (aquatic plants). 2 taking place in water (aquatic sports). | ||
| Aquatic ecology | study of aquatic environment (see list of branches of science) | ||
| aqueduct (noun) | 1 a man-made channel for carrying water. 2 a bridge built to carry water. | ||
| aqueous (adjective) | of or like water, watery (an aqueous solution). | ||
| aquiline (adjective) | hooked like the beak of an eagle (an aquiline nose). | ||
| Arab (noun) | a native of Arabia. adj describing Arabia or the Arabs. | ||
| Arabic (noun) | a language spoken by people in North Africa and Middle Eastern countries. adj describing the language and the countries in which Arabic is spoken. | ||
| Arabic numerals (noun) | the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. | ||
| arable (adjective) | suitable for plowing. | ||
| Arachibutyrophobia | fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth (see list of phobias) | ||
| Arachnephobia | fear of spiders (see list of phobias) | ||
| Arachnology | study of arachnids (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Arachnophobia | fear of spiders (see list of phobias) | ||
| arbiter (noun) | someone chosen by the parties concerned to settle a dispute, an umpire (appoint an arbiter in the dispute between unions and management). | ||
| arbitrary (adjective) | 1 not decided by rules, laws, etc, but by a person’s own opinion (a decision that was completely arbitrary an arbitrary ruler). adv arbitrarily | ||
| arbitrate (verb) | to act as an umpire or referee, especially in a dispute (asked to arbitrate in the dispute between neighbors). n arbitrator n arbitration | ||
| arbor (noun), also arbour (British spelling) | a shady recess in a garden. | ||
| arc (noun) | 1 a curve. 2 a part of the circumference of a circle. | ||
| arcade (noun) | 1 a covered walk. 2 a covered street containing shops. | ||
| arch1 (noun) | a curved structure, usually supporting a bridge or roof. | ||
| arch2 (adjective) | cunning, roguish (an arch smile). adv archly n archness | ||
| Archaeology | study of human material remains (see list of branches of science) | ||
| archaic (adjective) | 1 old-fashioned (archaic medical methods). 2 (of words) no longer in current use (“methinks” is an archaic expression for “I think”). | ||
| archaism (noun) | a word or expression not in present-day use. | ||
| archbishop (noun) | a chief bishop, with other bishops under his rule. | ||
| Archelogy | study of first principles (see list of branches of science) | ||
| archeology (noun), also archaeology (British spelling) | the study of the remains and monuments of ancient times. adj archeological, also archaeological (British spelling) n archeologist, also archaeologist ( (British spelling) | ||
| archer (noun) | someone who uses a bow and arrow. | ||
| archery (noun) | the art of shooting with bow and arrow. | ||
| archipelago (noun) (plural archipelagos or archipelagoes) | 1 a sea dotted with many islands. 2 a group of islands. | ||
| architect (noun) | 1 someone who plans buildings. 2 someone who plans, designs or creates something (the architect of our modern political system). | ||
| architecture (noun) | 1 the art or science of planning or designing buildings (study architecture). 2 a special fashion in building (Gothic architecture). adj architectural | ||
| archive | Collective noun for programmers (An archive of programmers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| archives (noun, plural) | 1 historical records (the firm’s archives go back to the early nineteenth century). 2 the place where they are kept. n archivist | ||
| Archology | study of the origins of government (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Arctic (adjective) | of the North Polar regions. | ||
| arctic (adjective) | very cold (arctic conditions). | ||
| ardent (adjective) | eager, enthusiastic, passionate (ardent fans/ardent lover). adv ardently. | ||
| arduous (adjective) | difficult, requiring a lot of effort (an arduous task/an arduous climb). | ||
| are (verb) | the form of the verb be used with “you”, “we” and “they”. | ||
| area (noun) | 1 any open space, place, region (a residential area/dry areas of the world). 2 a subject, topic or activity (in the area of politics). 3 the extent of a surface (a room 144 square feet in area). | ||
| area code (noun) | a number dialed to identify a particular area when telephoning. | ||
| arena (noun) | 1 an open space of ground for contests or games. 2 area of activity or conflict (the arena of party politics). | ||
| Areology | study of Mars (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Aretaics | science of virtue (see list of branches of science) | ||
| argue (verb) | 1 to give reasons for believing something to be true (argue against uniting the two firms). 2 to discuss in an unfriendly or quarrelsome way (argue about whose toy it is). 3 to quarrel (brother and sister are always arguing). adj arguable | ||
| argument | Collective noun for advocates (An argument of advocates) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| argument (noun) | 1 reasons for holding a belief (the argument for going to college). 2 a dispute, an unfriendly discussion (an argument about money). 3 a quarrel. 4 a summary of a book. | ||
| argumentation | Collective noun for historians (An argumentation of historians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| argumentative (adjective) | given to discussing or disputing (argumentative people unable to discuss calmly/in an argumentative mood). | ||
| arid (adjective) | 1 very dry (arid soil) | ||
| arise (verb) (past tense arose, past participle arisen) | 1 to come into being, to appear (difficulties that may arise/when the need arises). 2 to result from (matters arising from our discussion). 3 (old) to get up (arise and go). | ||
| aristocracy (noun) | 1 government by the nobility of birth. 2 the nobility. | ||
| aristocrat (noun) | a person of noble birth. adj aristocratic | ||
| Aristology | study of dining (see list of branches of science) | ||
| arithmetic (noun) | the science of numbers; the art of working with numbers. adj arithmetical | ||
| Arithmophobia | fear of numbers (see list of phobias) | ||
| ark (noun) | 1 a wooden chest (the Ark of the Covenant). 2 the Ark the vessel in which Noah was saved from the Flood. | ||
| arm (noun) | 1 one of the upper limbs, the part of the body from the shoulder to the hand. 2 anything resembling this (the arm of the chair). 3 the part of a garment that covers the arm. 4 power (the arm of the law). 5 pl arms weapons or armor used in fighting. 6 pl the badge of a noble family, town, etc (coat of arms). vb 1 to take up weapons. 2 to provide with weapons. | ||
| armada | Collective noun for newts (An armada of newts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| armada | Collective noun for warships (An armada of warships) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| armada (noun) | a fleet of armed ships (the Spanish Armada). | ||
| armadillo (noun) | a South American animal with a bony protective shell. | ||
| armament (noun) | 1 the guns on a ship, tank, etc. 2 pl armaments all the weapons used in war. | ||
| armistice (noun) | in war, an agreement to stop fighting for a time. | ||
| armlet (noun) | a band worn round the arm (mourners with black armlets). | ||
| armor (noun), also armour (British spelling) | 1 protective covering. 2 (old) a metal covering worn by soldiers to protect their bodies. 3 the tank force of an army. | ||
| armory (noun), also armoury (British spelling) | a secure place for keeping weapons or armor. | ||
| armoury | Collective noun for aardvarks (An armoury of aardvarks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| armpit (noun) | the hollow under the shoulder, between the arm and the body. | ||
| army | Collective noun for ants (An army of ants) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| army | Collective noun for caterpillars (An army of caterpillars) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| army | Collective noun for frogs (An army of frogs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| army | Collective noun for soldiers (An army of soldiers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| army (noun) | 1 a large number of soldiers organized for war. 2 a large number of persons engaged on a common task (an army of voluntary workers). | ||
| aroma | Collective noun for bakers (An aroma of bakers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| aroma (noun) | a pleasant smell (the aroma of newly baked bread). | ||
| Aromachology | study of smell and odor (see list of branches of science) | ||
| aromatic (adjective) | sweet-smelling (aromatic cooking herbs). | ||
| around (preposition) | 1 on all sides of or in a circle, about (flowers grew around the tree around four miles away). 4 near to (restaurants around here). adv 1 on every side, here and there (pick up the books lying around). 2 in the surrounding area (he’s somewhere around). 3 available (no money around). 4 in the opposite direction (turn around). | ||
| arouse (verb) | 1 to stir up (arouse their anger). 2 to make awake or active (arouse them from sleep). | ||
| arrange (verb) | 1 to put into order (arrange the books on the shelves). 2 to make plans, to make preparations for (arrange a meeting). n arrangement | ||
| arrant (adjective) | thoroughly (bad), out-and-out (an arrant coward). | ||
| arras (noun) | a hanging of ornamental cloth on a wall. | ||
| array | Collective noun for luminaries (An array of luminaries) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| array (verb) | 1 to set in order (soldiers arrayed for battle). 2 to dress up (dancers arrayed in beautiful ballgowns). n 1 order. 2 dress. | ||
| arrears (noun, plural) | that which remains unpaid or undone (her rent is in arrears). | ||
| arrest (verb) | 1 to take as prisoner, especially in the name of the law. 2 (fml) to catch or attract (arrest the attention of the crowd). 3 to stop (arrest the economic growth of the country). n 1 the act of stopping. 2 the act of arresting in the name of the law. | ||
| Arrhenphobia | fear of men (see list of phobias) | ||
| Arrhenphobia | fear of men (see list of phobias) | ||
| arrival (noun) | 1 the act of arriving (the late arrival of the visitors). 2 someone who arrives (recent arrivals in the village). | ||
| arrive (verb) | 1 to come (the day of the wedding arrived). 2 to reach (arrive home). | ||
| arrogant (adjective) | proud, haughty (too arrogant to listen to others’ advice). n arrogance | ||
| arrow (noun) | a pointed stick or similar missile for shooting from a bow. | ||
| arrowroot (noun) | a West Indian plant from which an edible starch is obtained. | ||
| arsenal (noun) | a place where weapons of war are made or stored, usually on behalf of a government. | ||
| arsenic (noun) | a toxic chemical. | ||
| arson (noun) | the crime of setting fire to property on purpose. | ||
| Arsonphobia | fear of fire (see list of phobias) | ||
| art (noun) | 1 a particular ability or skill (the art of conversation/the art of cooking). 2 (formal) cunning, trickery (get her own way by art). 3 the practice of painting, sculpture, and architecture, etc (studying art at college). 4 examples of painting, sculpture, etc (a gallery showing modern art). the Arts subjects of study that are intended to broaden the mind rather than (or as well as) to teach practical skill. | ||
| artery (noun) | a tube carrying blood from the heart. | ||
| artful (adjective) | deceitful, cunning (an artful child art-ful-ee/. | ||
| Arthrology | study of joints (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Arthropodology | study of arthropods like insects and arachnids (see list of branches of science) | ||
| artichoke (noun) | 1 (globe artichoke) a tall plant, somewhat like a thistle, part of the leaves of which can be eaten. 2 (Jerusalem artichoke) a type of sunflower with edible underground stems. | ||
| article (noun) | 1 a thing (articles of clothing). 2 an essay on a single topic in a newspaper, periodical, or encyclopedia. 3 a single item in a list or statement (e.g. a treaty). 4 pl a written agreement (articles of apprenticeship). | ||
| articulate (adjective) | 1 distinct, clear (articulate speech). 2 able to express yourself clearly. vb 1 to join together (bones articulated with others). 2 to speak distinctly (articulate your words so that you can be heard at the back). | ||
| articulation (noun) | 1 a joint. 2 the act of joining. 3 forming of sounds in speech. | ||
| artifice (noun) | 1 a trick (use artifice to gain entrance). 2 trickery (gain entrance by artifice). | ||
| artificial (adjective) | 1 man-made and so not natural (artificial flowers ar-ti-fish-ee-ah-li-tee/. | ||
| artillery (noun) | 1 big guns. 2 the part of an army that cares for and fires such guns. | ||
| artisan (noun) | a skilled manual worker. | ||
| artist (noun) | 1 a professional painter (Constable and other British artists). 2 one skilled in some art (a culinary artist). 3 an artiste. | ||
| artiste (noun) | a public entertainer, such as a professional singer or dancer. | ||
| artistic (adjective) | 1 having to do with art or artists (artistic works). 2 having or showing love for what is beautiful (an artistic child/an artistic flower arrangement). | ||
| artistry (noun) | artistic skill. | ||
| artless (adjective) | simple, sincere. adv artlessly | ||
| asbestos (noun) | a soft white mineral that cannot burn. | ||
| ascend (verb) | (formal) 1 to go upward (the elevator ascended). 2 to climb (ascend the mountain). | ||
| ascent (noun) | (formal) 1 act of going up (the ascent of the hill). 2 an upward slope (a rocky ascent). | ||
| ascribe (verb) | to explain as the result of something else (ascribe his behavior to his violent upbringing). | ||
| ash1 (noun) | a type of forest tree. | ||
| ash2 (noun) | or ashes (noun, plural) the dust left after anything has been burned. | ||
| ashamed (adjective) | feeling shame (ashamed of his actions). | ||
| ashore (adverb) | on or to land (go ashore). | ||
| ashtray (noun) | a small dish for cigarette ash. | ||
| aside (adverb) | 1 on one side (put some money aside every week for a holiday). 2 to one side, apart (take her aside to tell her the secret). | ||
| ask (verb) | 1 to request (ask for directions). 2 to inquire (ask how old they are). | ||
| askew (adverb) | to one side, crookedly (wear his cap askew). | ||
| asleep (adjective) | and adv sleeping (remain asleep despite the noise). | ||
| asp (noun) | a small poisonous snake. | ||
| asparagus (noun) | a plant, the tops of which can be eaten as a vegetable. | ||
| aspect (noun) | 1 (formal) appearance (of frightening aspect). 2 the direction in which a building, etc, faces (a house with a southern aspect). 3 a particular part or feature of something (consider the financial aspects of the situation). | ||
| aspen (noun) | a type of poplar tree. | ||
| asphalt (noun) | a type of pitch used in road-making. | ||
| asphyxiate (verb) | to choke, to suffocate. n asphyxiation | ||
| aspiration (noun) | eager desire, ambition (aspirations to greatness). | ||
| aspire (verb) | to try very hard to reach (something ambitious, difficult, etc) (aspire to high office in the government). | ||
| aspirin (noun) | a drug that relieves pain. | ||
| ass (noun) | 1 a donkey. 2 a foolish person. | ||
| assail (verb) | (formal) to attack (assail him with violent blows/assail them with questions). | ||
| assailant (noun) | an attacker. | ||
| assassin (noun) | someone who kills by surprise or secretly. | ||
| assassinate (verb) | to murder by surprise or treachery, often for political reasons (try to assassinate the president). n assassination | ||
| assault (noun) | a sudden violent attack. vb to attack. | ||
| assay (noun) | a test of the quality of a metal, to find out whether it is pure or an alloy. vb to test the quality, especially of metals. | ||
| assemble (verb) | 1 to bring or put together (assemble the family together a-sem-blage/. | ||
| assembly | Collective noun for ministers (An assembly of ministers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| assembly | Collective noun for toys (An assembly of toys) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| assembly (noun) | a gathering of people to discuss and take decisions (school assembly). | ||
| assent (verb) | to agree (assent to the proposal). n consent; permission. | ||
| assert (verb) | to state firmly (assert that he is innocent). assert yourself to stand up for your rights. | ||
| assertion (noun) | a firm statement. | ||
| assertive (adjective) | confident, tending to assert yourself. | ||
| assess (verb) | 1 to fix an amount payable (assess your tax contribution). 2 to estimate the value, worth, quality, etc, of (assess his worth to the firm). n assessor | ||
| assessment (noun) | the amount or value fixed. | ||
| asset (noun) | a help, an advantage (he is an asset to the team). | ||
| assets (noun, plural) | the entire property of a person or company. | ||
| assign (verb) | 1 to give as a share, duty, task, etc (assign household tasks to each of the children). 2 to appoint (assign three men to the job). 3 to fix, to name (assign Wednesdays for our meetings). | ||
| assignment (noun) | 1 the share or amount (of work, etc) given to a person or group. 2 a piece of homework. | ||
| assimilate (verb) | to take in and absorb (plants assimilating food from the soil try to assimilate the facts). n assimilation | ||
| assist (verb) | to help (assist with teaching duties/assist her in cooking the meal). | ||
| assistance (noun) | help, aid. | ||
| assistant (noun) | a helper (a teacher and two nursery assistants). | ||
| associate (verb) | 1 to keep company with, to join with (associate with criminals). 2 to join or connect in the mind (associate childhood with happiness). n a companion, a partner, a colleague. | ||
| association (noun) | 1 act of associating. 2 a group of persons meeting for a common purpose (an athletics association). 3 the bringing together of connected ideas (the association of home with security). | ||
| assorted (adjective) | mixed (a bag of assorted sweets). ill-assorted badly matched (an ill-assorted pair). | ||
| assortment | Collective noun for yogurt (An assortment of yogurt) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| assortment (noun) | a mixed collection (an assortment of books sold as one lot). | ||
| assume (verb) | 1 to take for granted (assume that he is honest). 2 to take over (assume responsibility for the running of the school). 3 (fml) to put on, to pretend (assume an air of innocence although guilty). 4 (fml) to take on, to begin to have (the situation gradually assumed the quality of a nightmare). | ||
| assumption (noun) | 1 act of assuming (his assumption of the leadership). 2 something supposed, but not proved, to be true (making an assumption that he is guilty before his trial/proceed on the assumption that he is innocent). | ||
| assurance (noun) | 1 confidence (a post requiring a great deal of assurance). 2 a promise (you have my assurance that I shall be there). | ||
| assure (verb) | 1 to make certain (his success in his career is now assured). 2 to tell as a sure fact, to state positively (I assure you that everything possible has been done). | ||
| assuredly (adverb) | certainly. | ||
| Astacology | science of crayfish (see list of branches of science) | ||
| aster (noun) | a star-like flower. | ||
| asterisk (noun) | a star-shaped mark (*) used in printing. | ||
| Asteroseismology | study of star oscillations (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Astheniology | study of diseases of weakening and aging (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Asthenophobia | fear of fainting or weakness (see list of phobias) | ||
| asthma (noun) | a disease marked by difficulty in breathing. adj asthmatic | ||
| astonish (verb) | to surprise greatly, to amaze (we were astonished at the news). n astonishment | ||
| astound (verb) | to shock with surprise, to surprise greatly. | ||
| astral (adjective) | belonging to the stars. | ||
| Astraphobia | fear of thunder and lightning (see list of phobias) | ||
| Astrapophobia | fear of thunder and lightning (see list of phobias) | ||
| astray (adverb) | out of the right way (parcels that have gone astray). | ||
| astride (adverb) | with the legs apart or on each side of a thing (she sat very gently astride the young horse who was not used to people on his back). | ||
| astringent (adjective) | 1 helping to close open wounds, cuts, or pores (astringent lotions). 2 stern, severe (astringent comments). n astringency | ||
| Astrobiology | study of extraterrestrial life (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Astrobotany | study of plants in space (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Astrodynamics | study of motion of rockets and spacecraft (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Astrogeology | study of extraterrestrial geology (see list of branches of science) | ||
| astrology (noun) | the study of the stars in order to learn about future events. n astrologer | ||
| astronaut (noun) | a member of the crew of a spaceship (the astronauts consisted of both men and women). | ||
| astronomical (adjective) | 1 connected with astronomy. 2 extraordinarily large (an astronomical sum of money). | ||
| Astronomy | study of celestial bodies and phenomena (see list of branches of science) | ||
| astronomy (noun) | the scientific study of the stars (he has been interested in astronomy as an amateur for many years). n astronomer | ||
| Astrophobia | fear of stars or celestial space (see list of phobias) | ||
| Astrophysics | study of behaviour of interstellar matter (see list of branches of science) | ||
| astute (adjective) | clever, shrewd (an astute businessman). n astuteness | ||
| asylum | Collective noun for managers (An asylum of managers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| asylum (noun) | 1 a place of refuge or safety (seek political asylum in another country). 2 (old) a home for the care of helpless or mentally ill people. | ||
| Asymmetriphobia | fear of asymmetrical things (see list of phobias) | ||
| Ataxiophobia | fear of the loss of bodily control or muscular coordination (see list of phobias) | ||
| Ataxophobia | fear of disorder or untidiness (see list of phobias) | ||
| ate | past tense of eat | ||
| Atelophobia | fear of imperfection (see list of phobias) | ||
| Atephobia | fear of ruin or ruins (see list of phobias) | ||
| Athazagoraphobia | fear of being forgotten or ignored or forgetting (see list of phobias) | ||
| atheism (noun) | the belief that there is no God. | ||
| atheist (noun) | someone who believes that there is no God. adj atheistic | ||
| athlete (noun) | someone good at sports, especially outdoor sports (he has been a good athlete since he was a boy). | ||
| athletic (adjective) | 1 having to do with sport or athletics (athletic events). 2 physically strong and active (athletic young people). | ||
| athletics (noun, plural) | 1 sporting activities. 2 (British spelling) see track-and-field. | ||
| atlas | Collective noun for maps (An atlas of maps) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| atlas (noun) | a book of maps. | ||
| ATM | abbreviation for automated teller machine, a machine which allows you to take money from your bank account using a card and a PIN. | ||
| Atmology | study of aqueous vapor (see list of branches of science) | ||
| atmosphere (noun) | 1 the air surrounding the earth. 2 the gas surrounding any star. 3 the air in a particular place (a stuffy atmosphere in the hall). 4 the feelings given rise to by an incident, place, story, etc; mood (a friendly atmosphere). | ||
| atmospheric (adjective) | 1 connected with the air (the atmospheric conditions were quite strange during the thunderstorm). 2 creating a certain atmosphere or mood (atmospheric music). | ||
| atoll (noun) | a ring-shaped coral island found only in the tropics and subtropics. | ||
| atom (noun) | 1 the smallest possible particle of an element that can be shown to have the properties of that element. 2 anything very small (not an atom of truth). | ||
| atomic (adjective) | connected with atoms. | ||
| atomic energy (noun) | the power obtained by separating the electrical units in an atom. | ||
| Atomosophobia | fear of atomic explosions (see list of phobias) | ||
| atone (verb) | to make up for, to pay for a wrong (atone for his crime by paying compensation to his victim). n atonement | ||
| atrocious (adjective) | 1 very cruel or wicked (atrocious crimes). 2 very bad (atrocious weather). | ||
| atrocity (noun) | a very cruel act. | ||
| attach (verb) | to join (by tying, sticking, etc) (attach the rope to the boat). | ||
| attaché (noun) | an official at an embassy. | ||
| attaché case (noun) | a small case for papers, etc. | ||
| attached (adjective) | 1 joined on to (read the attached document). 2 fond of (she is very attached to her sister). | ||
| attachment (noun) | 1 something joined on (a food mixer with various attachments). 2 fondness (feels a strong attachment to his old school). | ||
| attack | Collective noun for aliens (extraterrestrial) (An attack of aliens) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| attack (verb) | 1 to use force against, to begin to fight against (armies attacking each other). 2 to speak or act strongly against (attack the politician in a newspaper article). 3 to begin to deal with vigorously, to tackle (attack the pile of correspondence). Also n. n attacker | ||
| attain (verb) | to reach (attain a position of power/attain your goal). | ||
| attainable (adjective) | able to be reached. | ||
| attainment (noun) | 1 act of attaining (the attainment of early ambitions). 2 something, such as a skill or ability, learned successfully (attainments in the field of music). | ||
| attempt (verb) | to try to do (attempt to cheat). n an effort (an attempt at cheating). | ||
| attend (verb) | 1 to be present at (attend the meeting of the committee). 2 to take care of (doctors attending to their patients/attend to the needs of the patient). 3 (fml) to fix the mind on (attend to what the teacher is saying). 4 to wait on (ladies-in-waiting attended the queen). | ||
| attendance (noun) | 1 presence. 2 the persons present. | ||
| attendant (noun) | 1 someone who waits on another. 2 a servant. | ||
| attendee (noun) | someone who is present. | ||
| attention (noun) | 1 care (a wound in need of urgent attention). 2 heed, notice (pay attention to what is said/attract her attention). 3 concentration (her attention tends to wander). | ||
| attentive (adjective) | giving attention, paying heed (attentive students). | ||
| attest (verb) | to bear witness to, to vouch for (attest to the truth of her statement). n attestation | ||
| attic (noun) | a room just under the roof of a house. | ||
| attire (verb) | to dress (attired in silk). n dress. | ||
| attitude | Collective noun for seniors (An attitude of seniors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| attitude | Collective noun for teenagers (An attitude of teenagers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| attitude (noun) | 1 position of the body (artists painting models in various attitudes). 2 way of thinking or behaving (a hostile attitude). | ||
| attorney (noun) | 1 a lawyer. 2 someone appointed to act for another. power of attorney the legal right to act on another’s behalf. | ||
| attract (verb) | 1 to cause to come nearer (magnets attracting steel). 2 to cause to like or desire (always attracted to amusing people). 3 to arouse (attract their attention). | ||
| attraction (noun) | 1 act of attracting (the attraction of moths to the light/the attraction of television for children). 2 the power to attract (her attraction lies in her personality). 3 something that attracts (the attractions of the resort). | ||
| attractive (adjective) | 1 having the power to attract, interesting, pleasing, etc (an attractive offer). 2 good-looking, pretty, handsome (an attractive young woman). | ||
| attributable (adjective) | able to be attributed (crimes easily attributable to him). | ||
| attribute (verb) | 1 to think of as being caused by (attribute his silence to guilt). 2 to regard as being made, written, etc, by (attribute a play to Shakespeare). n attribute a quality, a characteristic (the right attributes for the job). | ||
| attune (verb) | to make to agree, bring into harmony (unable to attune our ideas to theirs). | ||
| ATV | abbreviation for all-terrain vehicle, a vehicle like a motorcycle but with three wheels or more that can be driven over rough ground. | ||
| Atychiphobia | fear of failure (see list of phobias) | ||
| au pair (noun) | a young person from abroad who helps with childcare and domestic work in exchange for board and a small salary. | ||
| aubergine | eggplant or the color of eggplant | ||
| auburn (adjective) | reddish-brown. | ||
| auction (noun) | a public sale at which an object is sold to the person offering the highest price or bid. | ||
| auctioneer (noun) | the person who conducts the sale at an auction. | ||
| audacious (adjective) | 1 bold, daring (an audacious scheme). 2 bold, shameless (an audacious young woman). n audacity | ||
| audible (adjective) | able to be heard (a voice scarcely audible). n audibility | ||
| audience | Collective noun for listeners (An audience of listeners) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| audience (noun) | 1 the people who listen (e.g. to a speech, concert, etc). 2 an interview granted by a ruler or person of high authority (an audience with the pope). | ||
| Audiology | study of hearing (see list of branches of science) | ||
| audit | Collective noun for bookkeepers (An audit of bookkeepers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| audition (noun) | a test given to an actor, singer or musician to see how good he or she is (hold auditions for the part of Hamlet). | ||
| auditorium (noun) | the part of a hall open to the audience. | ||
| auditory (adjective) | having to do with the sense of hearing (auditory organs). | ||
| augment (verb) | to increase (augment income). n augmentation | ||
| august (adjective) | (formal) noble, worthy of reverence (an august personage). | ||
| August (noun) | the eighth month of the year. | ||
| auk (noun) | a northern sea bird expert at swimming and diving. | ||
| Aulophobia | fear of flutes (see list of phobias) | ||
| aunt (noun) | the sister of someone’s mother or father. | ||
| aural (adjective) | having to do with the ear or hearing (aural comprehension tests). | ||
| Aurophobia | fear of gold (see list of phobias) | ||
| aurora | Collective noun for polar bears (An aurora of polar bears) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| aurora (noun) | 1 the dawn. 2 the brightness seen in the sky in the extreme north or south (the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, can be seen near the Arctic Circle). | ||
| Auroraphobia | fear of northern lights (see list of phobias) | ||
| auspicious (adjective) | promising future good (an auspicious beginning). | ||
| austere (adjective) | 1 simple and severe (an austere way of life). 2 stern (her austere manner). 3 plain, without decoration (an austere room). n austerity | ||
| Autecology | study of ecology of one species (see list of branches of science) | ||
| authentic (adjective) | true, genuine (an authentic signature aw-then-ti-si-tee/. | ||
| authenticate (verb) | to show the authenticity of, to prove genuine. | ||
| author (noun) | 1 a writer of books, etc. 2 (fml) a person who creates or begins something (the author of this particular scheme). n authorship | ||
| authoritative (adjective) | 1 having or showing power (an authoritative tone of voice). 2 reliable, providing trustworthy information (an authoritative book on a subject). | ||
| authority (noun) | 1 the power or right to rule or give orders (the authority to sack people). 2 a person or group of persons having this power or right. | ||
| authorize (verb), also authorise (British spelling) | to give to another the right or power to do something (authorizing him to sign the firm’s checks). | ||
| autism (noun) | a condition in which someone has unusual difficulty in communicating or in relating to other people or the world around them. adj autistic | ||
| auto (noun) | an automobile. | ||
| autobiography (noun) | the story of a person’s life written by himself or herself. | ||
| Autodysomophobia | fear of vile odor (see list of phobias) | ||
| autograph (noun) | a person’s own handwriting or signature. | ||
| Autology | study of oneself (see list of branches of science) | ||
| automated teller machine | ATM | ||
| automatic (adjective) | 1 working by itself (an automatic washing machine). 2 done without thought (the automatic process of breathing aw-to-ma-ti-clee/. | ||
| automation (noun) | the act of replacing human labor by machines. | ||
| Automatonophobia | fear of human-like figures (see list of phobias) | ||
| automobile (noun) | a four-wheeled motor vehicle that can hold a small number of people. | ||
| Automysophobia | fear of being dirty (see list of phobias) | ||
| Autophobia | fear of being alone or isolation (see list of phobias) | ||
| autopsy (noun) | an examination of a dead body to discover the cause of death. | ||
| autumn | Collective noun for leaves (An autumn of leaves) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| autumn (noun) | the season between summer and winter also know as fall. | ||
| autumnal (adjective) | having to do with the fall (autumnal colors). | ||
| auxiliary (noun) | a person or thing that helps (the Coast Guard Auxiliary). Also adj. | ||
| Auxology | study of growth (see list of branches of science) | ||
| avail (verb) | to make use of (avail yourself of any help offered). n use, help. | ||
| available (adjective) | at hand if wanted (all the available money/not so far available). | ||
| avalanche (noun) | 1 a great mass of snow, earth, and ice sliding down a mountain. 2 a great amount (an avalanche of offers). | ||
| avarice (noun) | greed for gain and riches. adj avaricious. | ||
| avenge (verb) | to take revenge for a wrong (to avenge her brother’s death by killing his murderer a-ven-jer/. | ||
| avenue (noun) | 1 a way of approach. 2 a broad street. 3 a double row of trees, with or without a road between them. | ||
| average (noun) | the figure found by dividing the total of a set of numbers by the number of numbers in the set. adj 1 calculated by finding the average of various amounts, etc (average expenditure per person). 2 ordinary (the average person/his work is average). vb to find the average. | ||
| averse (adjective) | not in favor of. | ||
| aversion (noun) | 1 dislike (have an aversion to people smoking). 2 something disliked (housework is one of her pet aversions). | ||
| avert (verb) | to turn away (avert your eyes). | ||
| aviary (noun) | a place for keeping birds. | ||
| aviation (noun) | the science of flying aircraft. | ||
| Aviatophobia | fear of flying (see list of phobias) | ||
| aviator (noun) | an airman. | ||
| avid (adjective) | eager, keen (an avid reader) | ||
| Avionics | study of electronic devices for aircraft (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Aviophobia | fear of flying (see list of phobias) | ||
| avocado (noun) | a pear-shaped fruit with a hard, dark green skin, soft, pale green flesh, and a large stone, used in salads, etc. | ||
| avoid (verb) | to keep away from (avoid trouble avoid inquisitive neighbors). adj avoidable n avoidance | ||
| await (verb) | (fml) to wait for (await further instructions). | ||
| awake (verb) | (pt awoke, pp awoken) 1 (fml) to rouse from sleep (the noise awoke me). 2 (fml) to stop sleeping (we awoke early). 3 to stir up, to rouse (awake old memories). adj 1 not sleeping (people not yet fully awake). 2 aware of, conscious of (awake to the dangers). | ||
| awaken (verb) | 1 to awake. 2 to rouse (awaken old fears). | ||
| award (verb) | to give after judgment or examination (award compensation for his injuries/award him first prize). n what is awarded, a prize. | ||
| aware (adjective) | 1 having knowledge of, interested, concerned (young people who are politically aware). 2 conscious of (aware of the difficulties). | ||
| awe (noun) | fear mixed with respect or wonder (look at the huge cathedral with awe/hold his grandfather in awe). | ||
| awesome (adjective) | 1 causing awe (the awesome sight of the huge waterfall). 2 (inf) excellent, marvelous (an awesome achievement/an awesome performance). | ||
| awful (adjective) | 1 very bad or unpleasant, terrible (an awful accident). 2 (inf) very great (I am in an awful hurry). 3 (old or lit) causing awe (the awful sight of the towering mountain). | ||
| awfully (adverb) | (informal) very (awfully kind). | ||
| awkward (adjective) | 1 clumsy, unskilled (awkward with his hands). 2 difficult to use or deal with (furniture of an awkward shape aw-kward-lee/. | ||
| awoke (past tense) | of awake. pp awoken. | ||
| ax (noun) | a tool for hewing or chopping. n 1 to dismiss someone suddenly (ax workers). 2 to end or cancel something suddenly (ax a TV show) | ||
| axe (noun) | a tool for hewing or chopping. n 1 to dismiss someone suddenly (axe workers). 2 to end or cancel something suddenly (axe a TV show) | ||
| axel | Collective noun for figure skaters (An axel of figure skaters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Axiology | study of the ultimate nature of value (see list of branches of science) | ||
| axiom (noun) | a statement accepted as true without need for proof. | ||
| axis (noun) (plural axes) | the straight line, real or imaginary, on which a body turns (the axis of the earth). | ||
| axle or axle-tree (noun) | the pole on which a wheel turns. | ||
| Aztec (noun) | an ancient Mexican Indian people who created a great civilization. | ||
| azure (adjective) | sky-blue color | ||
B
| B | Boron (Chemical symbol) 11 (hexadecimal notation) 7th note in C major (music) second highest grade (education) one of the human blood types (Medicine) | ||
| b | the second letter of the English alphabet bel (Units & Measurements) | ||
| B, b (noun) | 1 the second letter of the alphabet. 2 the seventh note of the scale of C major. | ||
| BA | abbreviation for Bachelor of Arts, a degree award. | ||
| babble | Collective noun for barbers (A babble of barbers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| babble | Collective noun for linguists (A babble of linguists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| babble (verb) | 1 to make indistinct sounds (babies babbling in their baby carriages). 2 to chatter continuously and without making a lot of sense (what’s he babbling about?). 3 to make a sound as of running water (brooks babbling). n 1 indistinct sounds. 2 foolish chatter. 3 murmur, as of a stream. | ||
| babe (noun) | 1 a baby. 2 (sl) a pretty young woman (she blushed when they called her a babe). | ||
| babel | Collective noun for cell phones (A babel of cell phones) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| baboon (noun) | a type of large African monkey. | ||
| baby (noun) | the young of a person or animal. | ||
| baby sitter (noun) | a person who is paid to look after someone else’s children for a short time. vb baby sit. | ||
| bachelor (noun) | 1 an unmarried man. 2 someone who has passed certain university examinations (a bachelor of science). | ||
| Bacillophobia | fear of microbes (see list of phobias) | ||
| back (noun) | 1 the part of the body from the bottom of the neck to the base of the spine. 2 the rear or hind part of something. Also adj and adv. vb 1 to go or move backward (back out of the garage). 2 to support (back plans for expansion). | ||
| backboard (noun) | the area, made of wood or plastic, at the back of a basketball hoop. | ||
| backbone (noun) | 1 the spine. 2 firmness, determination. 3 the chief support (workers who are the backbone of the industry). | ||
| backer (noun) | a supporter or helper (financial backers of the scheme). | ||
| backfire (noun) | an explosive noise made by a motor vehicle. vb 1 to explode. 2 (of a plan) to go wrong in such a way that it harms its maker. | ||
| backgammon (noun) | a board game played with checker pieces and dice. | ||
| background (noun) | 1 the area behind the principal persons in a picture, scene, or conversation. 2 a series of events leading up to something (the background to the quarrel between the families). 3 a person’s origins, upbringing, education, etc (come from a wealthy background). | ||
| backhand (noun) | 1 writing in which the letters slope backward. 2 in tennis, a stroke played with the back of the hand turned outwards. | ||
| backhanded (adjective) | 1 made with the back of the hand. 2 indirect and sometimes with a double meaning (backhanded compliments). | ||
| backpack (noun) | a large bag with straps, carried on the back by hikers, etc, to hold their luggage. vb to travel from place to place with your belongings in a backpack. backpacker n. | ||
| backstroke (noun) | in swimming, a stroke where the swimmer floats on his or her back. | ||
| backward (adjective) | 1 toward the back (a backward glance). 2 behind others in progress (backward countries). 4 shy, reserved (too backward to be noticed in a crowd). n backwardness. | ||
| backwater (noun) | 1 a piece of water supplied by a river, bunkt away from its current. 2 a remote place, unaffected by modern progress. | ||
| backwoods (noun, plural) | land not cleared of forest. | ||
| backyard (noun) | an area behind someone’s house (play in your own backyard). | ||
| bacon (noun) | meat taken from the back and sides of a pig, often salted or smoked. | ||
| bacteria (noun, plural) | (sing bacterium ) very tiny living things that are often the cause of disease. | ||
| Bacteriology | study of bacteria (see list of branches of science) | ||
| bacteriology (noun) | the study of bacteria. n bacteriologist | ||
| Bacteriophobia | fear of bacteria (see list of phobias) | ||
| bad (adjective) | 1 not good (I’m worried; your flu seems bad). 2 naughty, mischievous (he was sent to his room for being bad). 3 serious (the mistake was a bad one). 4 rotten or spoiled (the meat had to be thrown away because it had gone bad). 5 sorry, apologetic (she feels bad about her mistake). adj worse, worst. | ||
| badge (noun) | something worn as a sign of membership, office, rank, etc (a school badge on a blazer). | ||
| badger (noun) | a night animal that lives in a burrow. vb to worry, to pester (badger their mother for more pocket money). | ||
| badminton (noun) | a game played with shuttlecocks batted with rackets across a net. | ||
| bad-tempered (adjective) | grouchy or cross. | ||
| baffle (verb) | 1 to puzzle, to bewilder (baffled by the exam question/police baffled by the crime). 2 to make someone’s efforts useless (baffle the enemy’s attempt to gain entrance). n bafflement. | ||
| bag (noun) | a container for carrying things. vb (bagged, bagging) 1 to put into a bag (bag all this stuff for taking to the refuse dump). 2 (informal) to take possession of (bag that empty table). 3 to catch or kill (bag a few rabbits). 4 to hang loosely, to bulge (trousers bagging at the knee). | ||
| bagel (noun) | a ring-shaped bread roll that has a shiny surface (I’d love a bagel and salt beef). | ||
| baggage (noun) | 1 luggage. 2 stores of a moving army. | ||
| baggy (adjective) | 1 loose (wear fashionable baggy trousers). 2 out of shape (trousers baggy at the knees). | ||
| bagpipes (noun, plural) | a musical wind instrument in which a bag serves as bellows (it takes a great control of the breath to play the bagpipes). | ||
| baguette | a long crusty loaf of bread. | ||
| bail1 (noun) | 1 someone ready to pay a sum of money to obtain freedom for a person charged with a crime until the day of his or her trial. 2 money paid to release someone from jail, which is lost if the person does not appear for trial. vb bail out to help someone out, usually by giving them money. | ||
| bail2 (noun) | a small bar placed on the top of the stumps in cricket (the ball hit the bail). | ||
| bail3 (verb) | to throw water out of a boat, a little at a time (to bail out the canoe). | ||
| bailiff (noun) | an official who takes charge of prisoners when they appear in court. | ||
| bait (noun) | 1 food to trap or attract animals or fish. 2 a temptation (shops offering free goods as a bait to customers). vb 1 to put bait on a hook or in a trap. 2 to torment (pupils baiting the new boy because he was so small). | ||
| bake (verb) | 1 to dry and harden by fire. 2 to cook in an oven. | ||
| baker (noun) | one who makes or sells bread. | ||
| bakery (noun) | a place where bread is made. | ||
| baking powder (noun) | a powder used in baking to make dough rise. | ||
| balalaika (noun) | a type of guitar used in Russia. | ||
| balance | Collective noun for accountants (A balance of accountants) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| balance (noun) | 1 a pair of weighing scales. 2 equality of weight, power, etc (the major countries of the world trying to achieve a balance of power). 3 a state of physical steadiness (lose one’s balance). 4 a state of mental or emotional steadiness (while the balance of her mind was disturbed). 5 the difference between the amount of money possessed and the amount owed. vb 1 to make equal. 2 to keep steady or upright (acrobats balancing themselves on a tightrope). 3 to add up two sides of an account to show the difference between them. in the balance doubtful; about to be decided. | ||
| balcony (noun) | 1 a railed platform outside a window or along the wall of a building. 2 an upper floor in a hall or theater. | ||
| bald (adjective) | 1 without hair (a bald old man). 2 bare, without the usual or required covering (his car had bald tires). 3 plain (the bald truth). n baldness. | ||
| bald eagle (noun) | an eagle with a brown body and white feathers on its head. | ||
| balderdash (noun) | stupid or illogical talk, senseless nonsense. | ||
| bale | Collective noun for cotton (A bale of cotton) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bale | Collective noun for turtles (A bale of turtles) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bale | Collective noun for wool (A bale of wool) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bale (noun) | a large bundle or package (a bale of hay). | ||
| balk (noun), | also baulk (British spelling) a large beam of timber. vb to stop short of, to be reluctant or unwilling to be involved in (he balked at actually committing a crime). | ||
| ball game (noun) | 1 any game played with a ball. 2 a baseball game. 3 (informal) a situation. | ||
| ball park (noun) | 1 a field where baseball is played. 2 ball park figure a number that is close to, but not exactly the same as, the correct amount (give me a ballpark figure as to how much the kitchen will cost). in the right ball park a figure that is close to the right amount ($100 for the table is in the right ball park). | ||
| ball1 (noun) | 1 anything round in shape (a ball of wool). 2 a round or roundish object used in games (a tennis ball a football). 3 a rounded part of something (the ball of the foot). | ||
| ball2 (noun) | a party held for the purpose of dancing. n ballroom. | ||
| ballad (noun) | 1 a simple poem relating a popular incident. 2 a short, romantic song. | ||
| ballast (noun) | heavy material carried in a ship or other vehicle to keep it steady. | ||
| ball-bearings (noun, plural) | small metal balls that help a machine to work more smoothly. | ||
| ballerina (noun) | a female ballet dancer. | ||
| ballet (noun) | a performance in which dancing, actions, and music are combined to tell a story. | ||
| Ballistophobia | fear of missiles or bullets (see list of phobias) | ||
| balloon (noun) | 1 a small brightly colored rubber bag that can be blown up and used as a toy or as a decoration at parties, etc. 2 a large bag of light material that floats in the air when filled with air or light gas, with a large basket hanging below for carrying passengers. n balloonist | ||
| ballot (noun) | a way of voting secretly by putting marked cards into a box. Also vb. | ||
| ballot box (noun) | a box into which ballot papers are placed after voting. | ||
| ballpoint (noun) | a pen that writes by means of a small rotating ball fed by a tube of ink. | ||
| balm (noun) | 1 a sweet-smelling oil. 2 a pain-relieving ointment. 3 something that heals or soothes (a balm to his wounded pride). | ||
| balmy (adjective) | gentle, soft (balmy breezes). | ||
| Balneology | study of the therapeutic use of baths (see list of branches of science) | ||
| balsa (noun) | a tree with light, corky wood. | ||
| balsam (noun) | 1 a flowering plant. 2 a sweet-smelling, healing oil. | ||
| bamboo (noun) | a giant tropical reed from which canes, etc, are made. | ||
| ban (noun) | an order forbidding something (impose a ban on smoking in public places). vb (banned , banning ) to forbid (banned from driving). | ||
| banal (adjective) | unoriginal, commonplace (a few banal remarks). n banality | ||
| banana (noun) | a tropical fruit which is yellow in colour, long and curved. | ||
| banana split (noun) | a dessert which includes a banana, halved lengthwise, with the ingredients of ice cream, whipped cream, nuts and syrup. | ||
| band | Collective noun for coyotes (A band of coyotes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| band | Collective noun for gorillas (A band of gorillas) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| band | Collective noun for jackdaws (A band of jackdaws) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| band | Collective noun for jays (A band of jays) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| band | Collective noun for men (A band of men) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| band | Collective noun for mongooses (A band of mongooses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| band | Collective noun for musicians (A band of musicians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| band | Collective noun for pirates (A band of pirates) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| band | Collective noun for robbers (A band of robbers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| band1 (noun) | 1 anything used to bind or tie together (a band to tie her hair back). 2 a strip of cloth round anything (skirt waistbands). | ||
| band2 (noun) | a group of persons united for a purpose, especially to play music together. vb to join (together) (local people banding together to fight crime). | ||
| bandage (noun) | a strip of cloth used in dressing a wound or injury. Also vb. | ||
| bandanna, (noun), | also bandana a brightly colored handkerchief often worn over your head or around the neck. | ||
| bandit (noun) | an outlaw, a robber. | ||
| bandy1 (verb) | 1 to bandy words to quarrel. 2 to bandy about/around to mention something (repeatedly) and hint at its importance in connection with something (his name was bandied about after the money went missing). | ||
| bandy2 , bandy-legged (adjective) | (inf, Brit) having legs curving outwards. | ||
| bane (noun) | 1 ruin. 2 a cause of ruin or annoyance (that child is the bane of our existence). | ||
| baneful (adjective) | causing harm, hurtful. | ||
| bang (noun) | 1 a sudden loud noise (the door shut with a bang). 2 a blow or knock (get a bang on the head). vb 1 to close with a bang (the door banged shut). 2 to hit or strike violently, often making a loud noise (children banging drums/banged on the leg by a baby buggy). 3 to make a sudden loud noise (guns banging away). See also big bang. npl see bang2. | ||
| bang2 (noun), | often npl bangs, a fringe of hair across the forehead (cut your hair in bangs). | ||
| bangle (noun) | a ring worn around the wrist or ankle. | ||
| bangs (noun, plural) | a fringe of hair that hangs over your forehead. | ||
| banish (verb) | 1 to order to leave the country (banished from his native land). 2 to drive away (banish all their doubts). n banishment. | ||
| banister (noun) | a post or row of posts supporting a rail at the side of a staircase. | ||
| banjo (noun) | a stringed musical instrument played with the fingers. | ||
| bank | Collective noun for circuits (A bank of circuits) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bank | Collective noun for monitors (A bank of monitors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bank (noun) | 1 a ridge or mound of earth, etc (banks of snow at the edge of the road/stand on a grassy bank full of wild flowers). 2 the ground at the side of a river, lake, etc. 3 a place where money is put for safekeeping. vb 1 to heap up (snow banked up at the sides of the road). 2 to cover a fire with small coal to make it burn slowly. 3 to put money in a bank. 4 to make an airplane slope one wing tip down when turning. | ||
| banker (noun) | 1 one who runs or manages a bank. 2 one who holds the money staked in gambling games. | ||
| banking (noun) | the business of a banker. | ||
| bankrupt (noun) | one who is unable to pay his or her debts (declared bankrupt). Also adj. n bankruptcy | ||
| banner | Collective noun for knights (A banner of knights) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| banner (noun) | a flag. | ||
| banquet (noun) | a feast. | ||
| banter (verb) | to poke fun at; to tease. Also n. | ||
| baptism | Collective noun for fire (A baptism of fire) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| baptism (noun) | 1 the ceremony by which one is received into the Christian Church. 2 a first experience of something, an initiation. adj baptismal. | ||
| baptize (verb), | also baptise (British spelling) 1 to dip in or sprinkle with water during a baptism (baptize the baby). 2 to christen or give a name to (she was baptized Mary Jones). | ||
| bar (noun) | 1 a solid piece of wood, metal, etc, that is longer than it is wide (a gold bar/a bar of chocolate). 2 a length of wood or metal across a door or window to keep it shut or prevent entrance through it (iron bars on the prison windows). 3 an obstacle (a bar to progress). 4 a bank of sand, etc, at the mouth of a river which hinders entrance. 5 a counter at which food or drink may be bought and consumed (a sandwich bar). 6 a counter at which alcoholic drinks are served (place two beers on the bar). 7 a place where alcoholic drinks are sold, a public house (the Station Bar). 8 the rail behind which a prisoner stands in a courtroom. 9 a division in music. vb (barred, barring) 1 to fasten with a bar or belt (bar the door). 2 to hinder or prevent (bar their advance). 3 to forbid, to ban (bar women from joining the club). prep except (they were all there bar the children). | ||
| bar code (noun) | a pattern of vertical lines of differing widths, printed on an item for sale and containing information such as the price, that can be scanned by a computer. | ||
| bar mitzvah (noun) | a ceremony held on the 13th birthday of a Jewish boy by which he becomes an adult. | ||
| barb (noun) | 1 one of many sharp points facing in more than one direction. 2 a backward-curving spike on a fish-hook or arrow. | ||
| barbarian (noun) | 1 an uncivilized person. 2 one who does not respect the arts or learning. | ||
| barbaric (adjective) | connected with barbarism. | ||
| barbarism (noun) | the state of being uncivilized. | ||
| barbarity (noun) | savage cruelty. | ||
| barbarous (adjective) | 1 savage, uncivilized (a barbarous tribe). 2 cruel (his barbarous treatment of prisoners of war). | ||
| barbecue (noun) | 1 a framework on which meat, etc, may be cooked over a charcoal fire, usually outside. 2 an outdoor party where food is cooked on a barbecue. vb to cook on a barbecue (barbecuing steaks). | ||
| barbed (adjective) | 1 having a barb or barbs; having sharp points facing in more than one direction. 2 intended to hurt someone’s feelings (barbed comments). | ||
| barber (noun) | a man’s hairdresser. | ||
| bard (noun) | 1 a Celtic minstrel. 2 a poet. | ||
| bare (adjective) | 1 uncovered (bare hillsides dogs baring their teeth). | ||
| barefaced (adjective) | shameless. | ||
| barely (adverb) | 1 only just. 2 scarcely. | ||
| bargain (noun) | 1 an agreement about buying and selling. 2 an agreement. 3 something bought cheaply. vb 1 to argue about the price before paying. 2 to make an agreement. to bargain for to expect. into the bargain in addition. | ||
| barge (noun) | a flat-bottomed boat for carrying cargoes on inland waters. vb to move clumsily and often rudely (barge on to the bus in front of us). | ||
| baritone (noun) | a male singing voice that can go neither very high nor very low. | ||
| bark | Collective noun for cynics (A bark of cynics) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bark1 (noun) | the outer covering of a tree. vb to scrape the skin off (bark one’s shin). | ||
| bark2 (noun) | the noise made by a dog, wolf, etc. Also vb. | ||
| barley (noun) | a grain used for making malt. | ||
| barmaid , barman (noun), | someone who serves drinks at a bar. | ||
| barn (noun) | a farm building for the storage of grain, hay, etc. | ||
| barn dance (noun) | a country dance. | ||
| barnacle (noun) | a type of shellfish. | ||
| Barodynamics | study of the support and mechanics of bridges (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Barology | study of gravitational force (see list of branches of science) | ||
| barometer (noun) | 1 an instrument for measuring air pressure, thus showing what the weather may be. 2 something that indicates change (opinion polls are a barometer of the popularity of the government). | ||
| baron (noun) | (British) a nobleman of the lowest rank. f baroness | ||
| baronet (noun) | (British) a titled rank just below that of a nobleman. n baronetcy | ||
| Barophobia | fear of gravity (see list of phobias) | ||
| barracks (noun) | a building for housing soldiers. | ||
| barracuda (noun) | a fish with a long body and many sharp teeth. | ||
| barrage (noun) | 1 a bar across a river to make the water deeper. 2 a concentration of heavy gunfire on a certain area. 3 a large number (of questions, etc) made rapidly one after the other (a barrage of comments from the audience). | ||
| barrel (noun) | 1 a round wooden cask or container with flat ends and curved sides (a barrel of beer). 2 the tube of a gun. | ||
| barren | Collective noun for mules (A barren of mules) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| barren (adjective) | 1 producing no fruit or seed (barren apple trees). 2 (old) unable to produce young, infertile (barren women). 3 unable to produce crops (barren soil). 4 useless, not productive (barren discussions). n barrenness. | ||
| barricade (noun) | a barrier, often temporary and quickly constructed, to prevent people passing or entering. Also vb. | ||
| barrier (noun) | 1 a fence put up to control or restrain (barriers along the sides of the street to keep the crowds back). 2 an obstacle (a barrier to progress). 3 something that separates or keeps people apart (a language barrier). | ||
| barrow (noun) | 1 a small hand-cart (wheel grass cuttings away in a barrow). 2 (old) a mound over a grave. | ||
| barter (noun) | trade by exchange of goods instead of money payments. vb to trade by barter, to exchange. | ||
| basalt (noun) | a dark volcanic rock. | ||
| base1 (noun) | 1 that on which a thing stands or is built up (the base of the column). 2 the place in which a fleet or army keeps its main stores and offices. 3 a fixed point in certain games. vb 1 to use as a foundation or grounds (base one’s decision on the evidence). 2 to establish, to place (a company based in Boston). | ||
| base2 (adjective) | low, worthless, vile (a base villain base-lee/. | ||
| baseball (noun) | 1 a game played with bat and ball and two teams of nine players. 2 the ball used in this game. | ||
| baseless (adjective) | without foundation, groundless (baseless suspicions). | ||
| basement (noun) | the ground floor, below ground level. | ||
| bash (verb) | to beat, to hit with great force. | ||
| bashful (adjective) | modest, shy (too bashful to speak in public). | ||
| basic (adjective) | 1 providing a foundation or beginning (the basic rules of science/basic steps in mathematics). 2 without more than is necessary, simple, plain (a room with basic furniture). | ||
| basin (noun) | 1 a deep broad dish (a pudding basin). 2 a hollow place containing water. 3 a dock. 4 the land drained by a river. | ||
| Basiphobia | fear of walking or falling or inability to stand (see list of phobias) | ||
| basis (noun) | (pl bases ) that on which a thing is built up, the foundation or beginning (arguments that have a firm basis). | ||
| bask | Collective noun for crocodiles (A bask of crocodiles) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bask (verb) | 1 to lie in the sun. 2 (formal) to enjoy (bask in his employer’s approval). | ||
| basket | Collective noun for fruits (A basket of fruits) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| basket | Collective noun for plums (A basket of plums) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| basket | Collective noun for vegetables (A basket of vegetables) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| basket (noun) | a container made of thin sticks or coarse grass plaited together (a basket of groceries). | ||
| Basophobia | fear of walking or falling or inability to stand (see list of phobias) | ||
| bass1 (noun) | 1 the lowest part in music. 2 the lowest male voice. | ||
| bass2 (noun) | a type of fish. | ||
| bassoon (noun) | a musical wind instrument, with low notes only. | ||
| baste (verb) | 1 to drip or pour fat on meat while roasting. 2 to sew with long loose stitches. | ||
| bastion (noun) | 1 a tower jutting out from the wall of a fort to allow the defenders to aim arrows, bullets, etc, at the flanks of the attackers. 2 a person or thing that provides strong support or defense (the last bastions of the traditional village way of life). | ||
| bat mitzvah (noun) | a ceremony for a Jewish girl similar to a bar mitzvah. . | ||
| bat1 (noun) | a piece of wood prepared for striking a ball in certain games. vb to use the bat for striking the ball. | ||
| bat2 (noun) | a flying creature with a body like a mouse and large wings. | ||
| batch | Collective noun for bread (A batch of bread) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| batch | Collective noun for loaves (A batch of loaves) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| batch (noun) | 1 a quantity of bread, etc, baked at one time. 2 a set or group (a new batch of army recruits). | ||
| bath (noun) | 1 act of washing the body. 2 a large vessel in which the body is washed. 3 a large tank in which one can swim. vb (British spelling) to wash the body in a bath. | ||
| bathe (verb) | 1 to wash the body in a bath. 2 to go for a swim (bathe in the sea) 3 to apply water to in order to clean (bathe the wound). n (British spelling) act of swimming or playing in water. | ||
| Bathmophobia | fear of stairs or steep slopes (see list of phobias) | ||
| Bathophobia | fear of depth (see list of phobias) | ||
| Bathymetry | study of underwater depth of ocean floors or lake floors (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Batology | study of brambles (see list of branches of science) | ||
| baton (noun) | 1 a short stick used by the director of a band or choir. 2 a short club carried by policemen as a weapon. 3 a stick passed by one member of a team of runners to the next runner in a relay race (the last member of the team to run dropped the baton). | ||
| Batophobia | fear of heights or being close to high buildings (see list of phobias) | ||
| Batrachophobia | fear of frogs and other amphibians (see list of phobias) | ||
| battalion (noun) | a body of infantry, about 1000 strong. | ||
| batten1 (noun) | 1 a long board or strip of wood. 2 a strip of wood used to fasten down the hatches of ships. vb to close firmly with battens (batten down the hatches there’s a storm coming). | ||
| batten2 (verb) | to batten on to live well or thrive by taking advantage of someone else (landlords battening on their poor tenants). | ||
| batter (verb) | to beat with violence. n a paste of flour and liquid mixed together for cooking. | ||
| battering ram (noun) | a heavy piece of wood with an iron head formerly used for battering down castle walls or doors. | ||
| battery | Collective noun for artillery (A battery of artillery) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| battery | Collective noun for barracuda (A battery of barracuda) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| battery | Collective noun for guns (A battery of guns) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| battery | Collective noun for rams (A battery of rams) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| battery | Collective noun for tests (A battery of tests) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| battery (noun) | 1 a group of guns and the people who serve them. 2 a number of connected cells for providing or storing electric current. 3 a violent attack. | ||
| battle (noun) | 1 a fight between armies, fleets, etc. 2 a struggle (a battle for promotion). vb to fight or struggle (battling for top place in the league). | ||
| battlement (noun) | the top wall of a castle, with openings through which weapons can be aimed. | ||
| bauble (noun) | a small, worthless ornament or piece of jewelry (baubles on the Christmas tree). | ||
| bawl (verb) | to shout or cry loudly. Also n. | ||
| bay window (noun) | a window built into a section of the wall that juts out. | ||
| bay1 (adjective) | reddish-brown. n a bay horse. | ||
| bay2 (noun) | 1 an inlet of the sea. 2 a recess in a wall. | ||
| bay3 (noun) | the laurel tree. | ||
| bay4 (noun) | the bark of a dog, the low cry of a hunting dog. to stand at bay to stop running away and turn to defend oneself. to keep at bay to keep at a safe distance. vb to give the bark or cry of a dog (hounds baying). | ||
| bayonet (noun) | a dagger-like weapon for fixing on to a rifle. vb to stab with a bayonet. | ||
| bazaar | Collective noun for guillemots (A bazaar of guillemots) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bazaar (noun) | 1 in the East, a marketplace or group of shops. 2 a sale of articles held to raise money for a special purpose (a church bazaar in aid of roof repairs). | ||
| BC | abbreviation for before Christ, referring to a date occurring before the birth of Jesus Christ. | ||
| be (verb) | 1 to exist, live. 2 to pay a visit, to go. 3 to take place, occur. | ||
| beach (noun) | the shore of a sea or lake. vb to run or pull (a vessel) onto a beach (beach the canoe). | ||
| beachcomber (noun) | 1 in the Pacific, one who lives by what he or she finds on the beach (e.g. pearls, wreckage). 2 a vagrant who lives around harbors or beaches. | ||
| beacon (noun) | 1 a signal fire. 2 a high hill on which a beacon could be lit. 3 a signal of danger or hope. | ||
| bead (noun) | 1 a small object, usually round, of glass or other material, with a hole through it for a string (a necklace of colored beads). 2 a drop or bubble (beads of sweat). 3 pl a rosary. | ||
| beady (adjective) | small and bright (with beady eyes). | ||
| beagle (noun) | a small hunting dog. | ||
| beak (noun) | the bill of a bird. | ||
| beaker (noun) | 1 a glass vessel used in scientific experiments. 2 a drinking cup (a beaker of cocoa). | ||
| beam (noun) | 1 a thick piece of wood. 2 a main timber in a building. 3 the greatest breadth of a ship. 4 a ray of light. vb to smile brightly (beam with pleasure). | ||
| bean (noun) | a plant whose seed or seed pod is eaten as a vegetable (broad beans/lima beans). | ||
| bear1 (verb) | (pt bore, pp borne) 1 (formal) to carry (bearing gifts). 2 to put up with (bear the pain). 3 to support (bear his weight). 4 to have or show (still bearing a scar). 5 to move (bear left). 6 (pp born) to bring into existence, give birth to. 7 (pp borne) to produce (bear fruit). | ||
| bear2 (noun) | a wild animal with thick fur and claws. | ||
| bearable (adjective) | able to be put up with (pain scarcely bearable). | ||
| beard (noun) | the hair on the chin and lower jaw. vb to defy openly (beard the lion in its den). | ||
| bearer (noun) | a carrier (the bearer of bad news). | ||
| bearing (noun) | 1 the way a person holds himself or herself or behaves (of noble bearing). 2 (usually pl) direction (lose one’s bearings). 3 connection, influence (their statement had no bearing on our decision). | ||
| beast (noun) | 1 a four-footed animal. 2 a person who behaves in an animal-like way, a hateful person. adj beastly. n beastliness. | ||
| beat (verb) | (pt beat, pp beaten) 1 to strike several times. 2 to defeat or win against (beat the home team). 3 to throb (with heart beating. 4 to mix with a fork or a spoon (beat two eggs). n 1 a repeated stroke. 2 a policeman’s round. 3 a regular rhythm (e.g. the pulse, a drum). | ||
| beau (noun) | (pl beaux) 1 (old) a man who is taken up with matters of dress and manners, a dandy. 2 (old or fml) a male sweetheart (her latest beau). | ||
| beautify (verb) | to make beautiful (girls beautifying themselves at the mirror). | ||
| beauty (noun) | 1 that which is pleasing to the senses. 2 a beautiful woman (she was a beauty in her youth). 3 (informal) a very fine specimen (his new car is a real beauty). 4 (informal) advantage (the beauty of the job is the short hours). adj beautiful. | ||
| beaver (noun) | an animal with a wide, flat tail that can live both on land and in water. | ||
| because (conjunction) | a word meaning meaning “for the reason that” (I cried because you hurt me). | ||
| beckon (verb) | to make a sign inviting a person to approach (beckon to them to move forward). | ||
| become (verb) | (pt became, pp become) 1 to come to be (become a fine young woman/become a doctor). 2 to suit (green becomes her). | ||
| becoming (adjective) | 1 (formal) fitting, suitable, appropriate (behavior that was far from becoming in the circumstances). 2 suiting the wearer (a becoming dress). | ||
| bed | Collective noun for clams (A bed of clams) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bed | Collective noun for mussels (A bed of mussels) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bed | Collective noun for oysters (A bed of oysters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bed (noun) | 1 a thing to sleep or rest on. 2 the channel of a river. 3 a piece of ground prepared for growing flowers, plants, etc. | ||
| bedclothes (noun, plural) | the coverings on a bed. | ||
| bedding (noun) | bedclothes. | ||
| bedraggled (adjective) | wet and dirty, muddy (bedraggled from her walk through the storm). | ||
| bedridden (adjective) | having to stay permanently in bed (bedridden invalids). | ||
| bedrock (noun) | 1 the solid rock underlying the broken rock formations near the earth’s surface. 2 basic facts or principles (the bedrock of his beliefs). | ||
| bedroom (noun) | a room for sleeping in. | ||
| bedspread (noun) | a quilt used as a bed covering. | ||
| bedstead (noun) | a frame for supporting a bed. | ||
| bee (noun) | a flying, honey-making insect. | ||
| beech (noun) | a type of tree. n beechnut | ||
| beef (noun) | the flesh of an ox or cow. | ||
| beehive (noun) | a place, often dome-shaped, where bees are kept. | ||
| beeline (noun) | the shortest way. make a beeline for to go directly and quickly toward (make a beeline for the prettiest girl at the party). | ||
| been (verb) | past participle of be. | ||
| beer (noun) | an alcoholic drink made from barley and hops. | ||
| beeswax (noun) | the wax made by bees for their honeycombs. vb to polish with beeswax. | ||
| beet (noun) | a plant with a root eaten as a vegetable. | ||
| beetle1 (noun) | a common insect. vb (informal) to hurry, to scurry (beetle off home). | ||
| beetle2 (noun) | a heavy wooden tool that, when thrust down on e.g. paving stones, beats them into place. | ||
| beetle3 (verb) | to jut, to hang over (cliffs beetling over the sea). | ||
| beetroot (noun) | the root of the beet. | ||
| befall (verb) | (pt befell, pp befallen) (formal) to happen (troubles that befell her). | ||
| befit (verb) | (befitted, befitting) (formal) to suit, to be appropriate for (his behavior does not befit a man of his position). | ||
| befitting (adjective) | suitable (behave with a befitting degree of modesty). adv befittingly. | ||
| beforehand (adverb) | earlier (pay for the tickets beforehand). | ||
| befriend (verb) | to act as a friend to, to be kind to (befriend the orphan girl). | ||
| beg (verb) | (begged, begging) 1 to ask for money (beg on the streets). 2 to ask earnestly (beg for forgiveness/beg a favor). to beg the question to take a fact for granted without proving its truth. | ||
| beggar (noun) | one who asks for money or food. | ||
| begin (verb) | (pt began, pp begun, prp beginning) 1 to start (begin to play/the trouble began in June). 2 to be the first to do, to take the first step in doing (begin the discussion). | ||
| beginner (noun) | one starting to learn (a beginner’s class). | ||
| begonia (noun) | a plant with brightly colored flowers. | ||
| behalf (noun) | on behalf of in the name of (speak on behalf of his mother). | ||
| behave (verb) | 1 to conduct oneself. 2 to conduct oneself well. 3 to act. | ||
| behavior (noun), | also behaviour (British spelling) conduct. | ||
| behead (verb) | to cut off the head. | ||
| behold (verb) | (pt, pp beheld) to see; to watch. n beholder. | ||
| belated (adjective) | too late (a belated apology). | ||
| belch (verb) | to send out forcefully, especially gas through the mouth. | ||
| belfry (noun) | a bell tower. | ||
| belief (noun) | 1 faith (belief in God). 2 trust (shake her belief in his ability). 3 opinion (it is my belief that she is guilty). | ||
| believe (verb) | 1 to accept as true or real (believe in ghosts). 2 to trust (believe in her husband). 3 to have faith, especially in God. 4 to think. adj believable. n make-believe pretense. | ||
| believer (noun) | one who has faith, especially in God. | ||
| belittle (verb) | to make to seem small or unimportant (belittle his achievements). | ||
| bell (noun) | a hollow metal vessel that gives a ringing sound when struck. | ||
| belle (noun) | a lady of great beauty. | ||
| bellow (verb) | 1 to shout loudly (bellow to his children to make less noise). 2 to roar (bulls bellowing). Also n. | ||
| bellowing | Collective noun for bullfinches (A bellowing of bullfinches) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bellows (noun) | an instrument that makes a draft of air by forcing wind out of an airtight compartment. | ||
| belly (noun) | 1 the part of the human body between the breast and thighs. 2 the under part of an animal’s body. vb to bulge out (sails bellying in the wind). | ||
| belly button | (informal) the informal name for the navel. | ||
| Belonephobia | fear of pins and needles (see list of phobias) | ||
| belong (verb) | 1 to be the property (of). 2 to be a member. 3 to be connected with. | ||
| belongings (noun, plural) | the things that are one’s own property. | ||
| beloved (adjective) | greatly loved. n one who is greatly loved (having lost his beloved). | ||
| belt | Collective noun for asteroids (A belt of asteroids) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| belt (noun) | 1 a strap or band for putting round the waist. 2 a leather band used to carry the motion of one wheel on to another in a piece of machinery. 3 a space that is much longer than it is broad (a belt of trees dividing two fields). 4 an area that has a particular quality or characteristic (the industrial belt of the country). 5 (informal) an act of hitting, a blow. vb 1 to put on a belt. 2 to hit with a strap. 3 to hit, to attack with blows (belt his brother). below the belt 1 below the waistline. 2 unfair. | ||
| bemused (adjective) | confused, bewildered (motorists bemused by the traffic system/wearing a bemused expression). | ||
| bench | Collective noun for bishops (A bench of bishops) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bench | Collective noun for judges (A bench of judges) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bench | Collective noun for magistrates (A bench of magistrates) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bench (noun) | 1 a long seat (children sitting on benches in the school hall). 2 a worktable (benches in the science lab). 3 the seat of a judge in court. 4 all the judges, as a body. | ||
| benchmark (noun) | 1 a mark on a fixed object indicating height. 2 a standard for judging or measuring (his work was regarded as a benchmark for that of his classmates). | ||
| bend | Collective noun for willows (A bend of willows) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bend (verb) | (pt, pp bent) 1 to curve (a road bending sharply). 2 to make to curve (bend the branch). 3 to incline the body, to stoop (bend to pick up a coin). n 1 a curving turn on a road. 2 an angle. | ||
| benediction (noun) | blessing. adj benedictory. | ||
| benefactor (noun) | one who gives help to another. f benefactress. | ||
| beneficial (adjective) | helpful, having a good effect (a diet beneficial to health). | ||
| beneficiary (noun) | 1 one who receives money or property by will. 2 one who benefits from another’s kindness. | ||
| benefit (noun) | 1 advantage, gain (the benefits of a healthy lifestyle/advice that is of benefit to us). 2 (British spelling) the money to which an insured person has the right when unemployed, ill, etc. vb 1 to do good to (the holiday clearly benefited her). 2 to be of advantage to (he benefited from having educated parents). | ||
| benevolence (noun) | kindness, generosity. | ||
| benevolent (adjective) | kindly, generous. | ||
| benign (adjective) | 1 kindly, gentle (a benign smile). 2 not malignant, not cancerous (a benign tumor). adv benignly. | ||
| bent1 | past tense, past participle of bend. | ||
| bent2 (adjective) | (informal) dishonest (a bent lawyer). | ||
| bent3 (noun) | a natural skill in (a musical bent). | ||
| bequeath (verb) | to leave by will (bequeath her jewelry to her granddaughter). | ||
| bequest (noun) | the money or property left by will; a legacy. | ||
| berate (verb) | to scold. | ||
| bereave (verb) | (pt, pp bereaved or bereft) to take away (war bereft her of her sons). n bereavement | ||
| bereaved (adjective) | having lost, by death, a near relative (the bereaved mother). n one who has lost a relative by death (comfort the bereaved). | ||
| bereft (adjective) | having been deprived of something (so amazed that she was bereft of words). | ||
| beret (noun) | a round flat cap with no peak or brim. | ||
| berry (noun) | a small fruit containing seeds. | ||
| berserk (adjective) | uncontrollably angry (he went berserk when he saw the damage). | ||
| berth (noun) | 1 the place where a ship lies when at anchor or in dock. 2 a place for sleeping in a ship or train. vb to moor a ship. to give a wide berth to to keep well clear of (give a wide berth to troublemakers). | ||
| beseech (verb) | (pt, pp besought or beseeched) (formal) to ask earnestly, to beg for (beseech her employer not to dismiss her). adv beseechingly. | ||
| beset (verb) | (beset, besetting) to attack from all sides, to surround (trouble beset them from all sides). | ||
| besiege (verb) | 1 to surround a fortress with soldiers in order to bring about its capture. 2 to surround, to crowd round (reporters besieging the princess on her tour). 3 to overwhelm (reporters besieging the police with questions). n besieger. | ||
| besom (noun) | a broom. | ||
| besotted (adjective) | silly, muddled (besotted with love). | ||
| bespatter (verb) | to sprinkle with dirt, etc (traffic bespattering pedestrians with mud). | ||
| best (adjective) | (superl of good) good in the utmost degree (his best attempt). vb to do better than, to win against (best them in their attempt at victory). | ||
| bestial (adjective) | like an animal, beastly, disgusting (a bestial crime). | ||
| bestiality (noun) | animal-like behavior. | ||
| bestiary | Collective noun for monsters (A bestiary of monsters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bestow (verb) | (formal) to give (to) (bestow a gift of money). | ||
| bestride (verb) | to sit or stand across something, with a leg on either side of it. | ||
| bet (noun) | money put down in support of an opinion, to be either lost or returned with interest, a wager. vb (bet, betting) to stake money in a bet. | ||
| betake (verb) | betake oneself to (old, formal) to go (betake oneself to the hospital). | ||
| betide (verb) | (fml, lit) to happen (whatever may betide). | ||
| betoken (verb) | to be a sign of, to indicate (houses betokening great wealth). | ||
| betray (verb) | 1 to give up to an enemy. 2 to be false to, to be a traitor to (betray one’s country). 3 to reveal, to show (nervousness betraying guilt). n betrayer. | ||
| betrayal (noun) | act of betraying. | ||
| betroth (verb) | to promise in marriage. n betrothal | ||
| between (preposition) | 1 at or in the space, time, etc, separating (two things) (between meetings). 2 connecting from one or the other (the bond between them). | ||
| betwixt (preposition) | between. | ||
| bevel (verb) | (beveled, beveling) to cut to a slope. n a sloping edge. | ||
| beverage (noun) | a drink. | ||
| bevy | Collective noun for beauties (A bevy of beauties) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bevy | Collective noun for beautiful ladies (A bevy of beautiful ladies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bevy | Collective noun for doves (A bevy of doves) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bevy | Collective noun for dowagers (A bevy of dowagers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bevy | Collective noun for ladies (A bevy of ladies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bevy | Collective noun for otters (A bevy of otters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bevy | Collective noun for quail (A bevy of quail) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bevy | Collective noun for roe deer (A bevy of roe deer) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bevy | Collective noun for swans (A bevy of swans) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bevy (noun) | 1 a group (a bevy of beautiful girls). 2 a flock of birds. | ||
| bewail (verb) | (formal) to lament aloud, to regret (bewail the loss of his fortune). | ||
| beware (verb) | to be cautious or careful of (warned to beware of thieves). | ||
| bewilder (verb) | to puzzle, to confuse. adj bewildering. n bewilderment. | ||
| bewitch (verb) | 1 to put under a spell. 2 to charm, to fascinate (he was bewitched by her beauty). n bewitchment. | ||
| bewitching (adjective) | charming, fascinating (a bewitching smile). | ||
| beyond (preposition) | on the farther side of (the school was built beyond the park). adv at a distance (the sky beyond was dark with clouds). | ||
| bias (noun) | 1 an unreasonable dislike (a bias against foreigners). 2 a preference (a bias toward blonde women). 3 in dress-making, a line across the weave of a fabric. vb to incline to one side, to prejudice (his early childhood had biased him against foreigners). | ||
| bias(s)ed (adjective) | prejudiced. | ||
| bib (noun) | a cloth tied under a child’s chin to keep him or her clean while eating. | ||
| Bible (noun) | the Holy Scriptures of the Christian religion. adj biblical | ||
| bibliography (noun) | a list of books dealing with a particular subject. n bibliographer adj bibliographical | ||
| Bibliology | study of books (see list of branches of science) | ||
| bibliophile (noun) | (formal) a lover of books. | ||
| Bibliophobia | fear of books (see list of phobias) | ||
| Bibliotics | study of documents to determine authenticity (see list of branches of science) | ||
| bicentennial (noun) | the 200th year (after a certain event). | ||
| biceps (noun) | a muscle in the upper part of the arm. | ||
| bicker (verb) | to quarrel frequently over unimportant things. | ||
| bicycle (noun) | a machine with two wheels which can be ridden on. Also vb. | ||
| bid (verb) | (pt bid or bade, pp bidden or bid, prp bidding) 1 to offer (bid $600 for the vase at the auction). 2 to ask, to order (bid them come in). n 1 an offer of money, especially at a sale. 2 a strong effort (make a bid to take over the company). | ||
| bidder (noun) | one offering a price. | ||
| bide (verb) | (pt, pp bided or bode). bide one’s time to wait for a good opportunity (biding his time until he tries to get her job). | ||
| biennial (adjective) | 1 lasting for two years (biennial plants). 2 happening every second year (a biennial event). n a plant that flowers only in its second year, then dies. adv biennially | ||
| bier (noun) | a stretcher for carrying a dead body or coffin to the grave. | ||
| big bang (noun) | (informal) the name of the theory that the whole universe was created by the explosion of one tiny superdense mass, and that the universe is still expanding. big-bang theory. | ||
| bigamy (noun) | the state of having two wives or two husbands at the same time. n bigamist adj bigamous | ||
| bigot (noun) | one who accepts without question certain beliefs and condemns the different beliefs held by others (a religious bigot). adj bigoted. n bigotry. | ||
| bikini (noun) | a two-piece swimsuit for women. | ||
| bilateral (adjective) | 1 two-sided. 2 concerning two parties (a bilateral agreement). | ||
| bilberry (noun) | a small blue berry. | ||
| bile (noun) | 1 a fluid, coming from the liver, that aids digestion. 2 (formal) anger (arouse his bile). | ||
| bilingual (adjective) | able to speak two languages. | ||
| bilious (adjective) | 1 relating to bile. 2 sick (feeling bilious). n biliousness. | ||
| bilk (verb) | to cheat, to defraud. | ||
| bill1 (noun) | the beak of a bird. | ||
| bill2 (noun) | 1 the form of a proposed law, as put before congress for discussion. 2 a piece of paper money. 3 a printed notice (a bill on the noticeboard announcing the meeting) 4 (British spelling) see check. | ||
| billboard (noun) | a large sign which is pasted with advertisements. | ||
| billet (noun) | a lodging, especially for soldiers. vb to lodge (e.g. soldiers) in people’s houses. | ||
| billfold (noun) | a pocket-sized flat case, often leather, for holding paper money and credit cards. | ||
| billiards (noun) | a game played on a cloth-covered table with cues and balls. | ||
| billion (noun) | 1 in America, and often now in Britain, one thousand millions. 2 in Britain, one million millions. | ||
| billow | Collective noun for smokers (A billow of smokers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| billow (noun) | a great wave of the sea. vb to swell out. adj billowy. | ||
| billy-goat (noun) | a male goat. | ||
| bin (noun) | 1 a large box for corn, meal, etc (a bread bin). 2 a container for garbage. | ||
| bind | Collective noun for salmon (A bind of salmon) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bind (verb) | (pt, pp bound) 1 to tie (bind the wound with bandages). 2 to fasten together (bind his hands together). 3 to cover (a book) (a book bound in leather). 4 to put an edging on (bind the seams of the dress). 5 (formal) to put under an obligation (the contract binds you to pay me $1500 per month). bind oneself to promise. | ||
| binding (noun) | the cover and sewing of a book. | ||
| binoculars (noun, plural) | a pair of field glasses. | ||
| Biochemistry | study of chemical processes within and relating to living organism (see list of branches of science) | ||
| biochemistry (noun) | the chemistry of living things. adj biochemical n biochemist | ||
| biodegradable (adjective) | decaying naturally as the result of the action of bacteria and so not causing pollution to the environment (plastic is not biodegradable). | ||
| Bioecology | study of interaction of life in the environment (see list of branches of science) | ||
| biographer (noun) | a writer of biography (the biographer of Hillary Clinton). | ||
| biography (noun) | the written life story of a person. adj biographical | ||
| Biology | study of life (see list of branches of science) | ||
| biology (noun) | the study of life and living creatures. adj biological n biologist | ||
| Biomechanics | study of the structure, function and motion of the mechanical aspects of biological systems (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Biometrics | study of biological measurement for security purposes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Bionomics | study of organisms interacting in their environments (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Biophysics | study of physics of biological phenomena (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Biopsychology | study of application of the biology to psychology (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Biotribology | study of friction, wear and lubrication of biological systems (see list of branches of science) | ||
| biped (noun) | an animal with two feet. | ||
| biplane (noun) | an airplane with two wings on each side, one above the other. | ||
| birch (noun) | 1 a type of deciduous tree with a thin bark. 2 a bundle of sticks tied together at one end and used for flogging. | ||
| bird (noun) | a creature with feathers and wings that usually flies. | ||
| birth (noun) | 1 the act of being born (happy at the birth of her son). 2 the beginning (the birth of civilization). | ||
| birthday (noun) | the day on which one is born, or its anniversary. | ||
| birthmark (noun) | a mark on the body from birth (a purple birthmark on her face). | ||
| birthright (noun) | any right one possesses by birth. | ||
| biscuit (noun) | 1 a small round bread make using baking soda as a raising agent. 2 (British spelling) see cookie. | ||
| bisect (verb) | (formal) to cut into two equal parts (bisect the circle). | ||
| bishop (noun) | 1 in the RC Church, Anglican Church, or Eastern Orthodox Church, the chief clergyman of a district. 2 a piece in the game of chess. | ||
| bison (noun) | a type of wild ox. | ||
| bit (noun) | 1 a small piece (tear the paper to bits). 2 a piece of (a bit of cake/a bit of advice). 3 part (the bit in the film where the hero dies). 4 a tool for boring holes. 5 the metal bar attached to the bridle, and put in the mouth of a horse. 4 a unit of value equivalent to an eighth of a dollar. | ||
| bite | Collective noun for midges (A bite of midges) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bite (verb) | (pt bit, pp bitten) 1 to cut, pierce, etc, with the teeth (the dog that bit the postman/bite the apple). 2 to take the bait (fish biting today). n 1 the amount bitten off. 2 the wound made by biting. 3 a taking of the bait by fish. | ||
| biting (adjective) | 1 sharp (biting wind). 2 hurtful (a biting remark). adv bitingly. | ||
| bitter (adjective) | 1 sharp to the taste (bitter oranges). 2 severe, piercing (the bitter cold). 3 painful (from bitter experience). 4 feeling or showing hatred, hostility, envy, disappointment, etc (feeling bitter about her divorce/a bitter quarrel). adv bitterly. n bitterness. | ||
| bivalve (noun) | an animal or fish whose shell is in two parts joined by a hinge-like cartilage. adj bivalvular | ||
| biweekly (adjective) | 1 happening once every two weeks (a biweekly magazine). 2 twice in one week (biweekly meetings). | ||
| bizarre (adjective) | strange, peculiar, weird (his bizarre appearance/a bizarre crime). | ||
| black (noun) | a dark color like coal. Also adj. vb 1 to make black (black his eye in a fight). 2 to clean with black polish (black his shoes). n blackness. | ||
| blackbird (noun) | a type of thrush. | ||
| blackboard (noun) | a dark-colored board used for writing on with a light-colored chalk. | ||
| blacken (verb) | 1 to make black (smoke blackening the walls). 2 to become black or dark (skies blackening). | ||
| blackening | Collective noun for shoemakers (A blackening of shoemakers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| blacklist (noun) | a list of persons suspected of doing wrong. | ||
| blackmail (verb) | to obtain money by threatening to reveal a secret. Also n. n blackmailer. | ||
| blackout (noun) | 1 a sudden putting out of all lights (a blackout caused by an electrical power failure). 2 a period when all lights must be put out or covered (blackouts ordered by the government to guard against enemy air attacks). 3 a sudden, short loss of consciousness (have a blackout after hitting her head on a beam). | ||
| blacksmith (noun) | a metal-worker who works with iron. | ||
| bladder (noun) | 1 a bag-like part of the body in which urine collects. 2 a bag of thin leather, rubber, etc, containing air (the bladder of a football). | ||
| blade (noun) | 1 a leaf (of grass, corn, etc). 2 the cutting part of a sword or knife. 3 the flat part of an oar (the oarsmen’s blades moved powerfully through the water). | ||
| blame (verb) | 1 to find fault with (I don’t blame you for being angry). 2 to regard as guilty or responsible (she blames him for her brother’s death/blame the rise in prices on the government). n 1 fault. 2 guilt. adj blameless, blameworthy. | ||
| blancmange (noun) | a jelly-like milk dessert. | ||
| bland (adjective) | 1 so mild as to be almost tasteless (bland food). 2 so mild or gentle as to be without personality or emotion (bland smiles/bland articles about the government’s problems). | ||
| blank (adjective) | 1 not written on or marked (blank sheets of paper). 2 empty, without expression (blank faces). n an empty space (leave blanks for unanswered questions in the exam paper). | ||
| blanket | Collective noun for snow (A blanket of snow) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| blanket (noun) | 1 a woolen, etc, bedcovering. 2 a covering (a blanket of snow). vb to cover. | ||
| blare (verb) | to make a loud sound (trumpets blaring). Also n. | ||
| blaspheme (verb) | 1 to speak mockingly or disrespectfully of God. 2 to swear or curse (drunks blaspheming when thrown out of the pub). n blasphemer adj blasphemous n blasphemy | ||
| blast | Collective noun for hunters (A blast of hunters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| blast (noun) | 1 a sudden, strong gust of wind. 2 a loud sound (the blast of a trumpet). 3 an explosion (killed in the bomb blast). vb 1 to blow up or break up by explosion (blast rock). 2 to make a loud noise (music blasting from the radio). 3 (old or lit) to cause to wither (frost blasted the oak trees). 4 to ruin (blast their hopes). 5 (informal) to criticize severely (the critics blasted their performance). | ||
| blatant (adjective) | very obvious, shameless (a blatant disregard for the law). | ||
| blaze | Collective noun for pyromaniacs (A blaze of pyromaniacs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| blaze1 (noun) | 1 a bright fire or flame (dry wood makes a good blaze). 2 a bright glow of light or color (the garden was a blaze of color in the summer). 3 a large, often dangerous, fire (several people killed in the blaze). 4 an outburst (leave in a blaze of anger). vb 1 to burn brightly. 2 to shine like a flame. | ||
| blaze2 (noun) | a mark, especially as made on a tree by cutting off a piece of bark. vb to show a trail by such marks. | ||
| blazer (noun) | a kind of jacket (school blazers). | ||
| bleach (verb) | 1 to make white or whiter (curtains bleached by the sun). 2 to become white. n a substance that bleaches (soak sheets in diluted bleach). | ||
| bleak (adjective) | 1 dreary, cold (a bleak winter’s day). 2 not hopeful or encouraging (a bleak future). n bleakness. | ||
| bleat (verb) | to cry, as a sheep. Also n. | ||
| bleed (verb) | (pt, pp bled) 1 to lose blood. 2 to take blood from (doctors used to bleed people to treat disease). 3 (informal) to take money from illegally or dishonestly (moneylenders bleeding their clients). | ||
| blemish (noun) | a stain, a fault. vb to stain; to spoil. | ||
| blend (verb) | to mix together (blend the cake ingredients/blend colors). n a mixture. | ||
| Blennophobia | fear of slime (see list of phobias) | ||
| bless (verb) | 1 to pronounce holy (bless the new church). 2 to ask God’s favor for (priests blessing newborn children). | ||
| blessed (adjective) | 1 holy (blessed saints). 2 happy, fortunate. | ||
| blessing | Collective noun for unicorns (A blessing of unicorns) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| blessing (noun) | 1 a thing that brings happiness (the blessing of children). 2 a prayer (say a blessing at the christening). | ||
| blight (noun) | 1 a disease in plants that causes them to wither. 2 a cause of ruin (the blight of all their hopes). vb 1 to cause to wither. 2 to ruin. | ||
| blimp (noun) | an airship. | ||
| blind (adjective) | 1 having no sight. 2 unable or unwilling to understand (blind to the truth). 3 closed at one end (a blind alley). n 1 a window screen. 2 (informal) a pretense (his business was a blind for drug-smuggling). vb 1 to make blind. 2 to dazzle (blinded by the light). adv blindly. n blindness. | ||
| blindfold (verb) | to cover the eyes with a bandage. Also adj. | ||
| blink (verb) | 1 to wink. 2 to twinkle (lights blinking). n 1 a glimpse. 2 a quick gleam of light. | ||
| blinker (noun) | a piece of leather put over a horse’s eyes to prevent it seeing sideways. | ||
| bliss (noun) | 1 great happiness. 2 the happiness of heaven. | ||
| blissful (adjective) | very happy. | ||
| blister | Collective noun for podiatrists (A blister of podiatrists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| blister (noun) | a bag of skin containing watery matter (blisters on their feet after the long walk). vb to raise a blister. | ||
| blizzard (noun) | a violent storm of wind and snow. | ||
| bloat | Collective noun for hippopotamuses (A bloat of hippopotamuses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bloated (adjective) | blown out, swollen (I feel bloated after the large meal). | ||
| blob (noun) | a drop, a small round mass (a blob of paint). | ||
| block | Collective noun for apartments (A block of apartments) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| block | Collective noun for flats (A block of flats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| block (noun) | 1 a solid piece of wood, stone, etc (a block of stone/a block of ice). 2 the piece of wood on which people were beheaded. 3 a group of connected buildings (a block of flats). 4 a piece of wood in which a pulley is placed. 5 an obstacle (a block to further progress). vb to stop the way. | ||
| blockade (noun) | the surrounding of a place with soldiers and/or ships to prevent people and food from going in or leaving. Also vb. | ||
| blockhead (noun) | a stupid fellow. | ||
| blond (adjective) | having fair hair and skin. f blonde. Also n. | ||
| blood (noun) | 1 the red liquid in the bodies of people and animals. 2 family or race (of noble blood). | ||
| blood vessel (noun) | a vein or artery. | ||
| bloodhound (noun) | a large dog often used in tracking. | ||
| bloodless (adjective) | 1 without blood or killing (a bloodless victory). 2 pale, anemic. 3 without spirit or energy. | ||
| bloodshed (noun) | the spilling of blood, slaughter. | ||
| bloodshot (adjective) | (of the eye) red and inflamed with blood. | ||
| bloodthirsty (adjective) | eager to shed blood, taking pleasure in killing. | ||
| bloody (adjective) | 1 bleeding, covered with blood (a bloody nose). 2 stained with blood (a bloody handkerchief). 3 with a lot of wounding or killing (a bloody battle). | ||
| bloom (noun) | 1 a blossom, a flower (the first blooms of spring). 2 the state of flowering (flowers in bloom). 3 freshness, perfection (in the bloom of youth). vb to blossom. | ||
| blot (noun) | 1 a spot or stain, often of ink. 2 disgrace (a blot on the family’s honor). 3 something that spoils something beautiful or good (that industrial plant is a blot on the beautiful landscape). vb (blotted, blotting) 1 to spot, to stain, especially with ink. 2 to dry ink with blotting paper. | ||
| blotch (noun) | a large spot or mark (a blotch of ink/red blotches on her skin). | ||
| blouse (noun) | a loose upper garment. | ||
| blow1 (verb) | (pt blew, pp blown) 1 to cause air to move. 2 to breathe hard (at or into) (blow into one’s hands to warm them). 3 to pant (blowing hard after a climb). vb blow up 1 to destroy by explosives. 2 to fill with air. | ||
| blow2 (noun) | 1 a stroke. 2 a misfortune. | ||
| blow3 (verb) | (pt blew , pp blown) to bloom. | ||
| blowlamp (noun), also blowtorch | a small burner producing a very hot flame. | ||
| blowy (adjective) | (informal) windy (a blowy day). | ||
| blubber (noun) | the fat of whales, etc. vb (blubbered, blubbering) to weep noisily. | ||
| bludgeon (noun) | a short club. vb to strike repeatedly with something heavy (bludgeoned to death). | ||
| blue (noun) | a primary color, as that of the sky on a clear day. Also adj. | ||
| blue fish (noun) | a silvery-blue, ocean-living fish. | ||
| blue jay (noun) | a North American crested bird with blue and white feathers. | ||
| blue jeans (noun) | pants made of blue denim material. | ||
| bluebell (noun) | 1 the harebell. 2 in Scotland, the wild hyacinth. | ||
| blueberry (noun) | a round, sweet blue berry grown on a bush. | ||
| bluebottle (noun) | a large bluish fly. | ||
| blueprint (noun) | 1 a photographic print of a plan for a structure (the blueprints for the new office block). 2 a detailed plan or scheme (a blueprint for success). | ||
| bluff (noun) | 1 a cliff, a steep headland. 2 a pretense (their threat to kill the hostage was just a bluff). adj frank and abrupt but good-natured. vb to try to deceive by a show of boldness (they said they had guns but we knew they were bluffing). | ||
| blunder (verb) | 1 to make a foolish mistake (you blundered when you mistook her for her mother). 2 to stumble about or into something (blundering about in the dark looking for candles). Also n. | ||
| blunt (adjective) | 1 not sharp (blunt knives). 2 short and plain in speech (a blunt young man). 3 outspoken (a few blunt remarks). vb 1 to make less sharp. 2 to weaken. | ||
| blur | Collective noun for impressionists (A blur of impressionists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| blur (noun) | 1 an indistinct mass (people only a blur in the distance). 2 a stain, a blot, a smear. vb (blurred, blurring) to make unclear (blur his vision/blur memories). | ||
| blurb (noun) | a short description of something written to make people interested in it (the blurb on a paperback). | ||
| blurt (verb) | to speak suddenly or thoughtlessly (blurt out the truth to the teacher). | ||
| blush | Collective noun for boys (A blush of boys) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| blush | Collective noun for embarrassments (A blush of embarrassments) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| blush (verb) | to become red in the face from shame, modesty, etc. n the reddening of the face so caused. adv blushingly. | ||
| bluster (verb) | 1 (of wind) to blow violently. 2 to talk boastfully, noisily or threateningly. n boastful, noisy or threatening talk. | ||
| boa (noun) | 1 a snake that kills by crushing its victim. 2 a scarf of fur or feathers. | ||
| boa constrictor (noun) | a type of boa snake. | ||
| boar (noun) | 1 a male pig. 2 a wild pig. | ||
| board | Collective noun for chess players (A board of chess players) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| board | Collective noun for directors (A board of directors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| board | Collective noun for executives (A board of executives) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| board | Collective noun for trustees (A board of trustees) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| board (noun) | 1 a long, broad strip of timber (nail boards together to make a raft). 2 food (ask for board as well as lodging). 3 a group of people who meet, for example, for business reasons (board of directors). 4 the deck of a ship. 5 pl the stage. 6 a flat surface, often marked with a pattern, on which certain games are played (a Scrabble board). vb 1 to cover with boards (board the broken windows up). 2 to supply with food and accommodation (board the pupils during term time). 3 to take meals, and usually have accommodation, in (workers boarding at my mother’s house). 4 to enter a ship. 5 to get on to (board a bus). | ||
| boarder (noun) | one who receives food and lodging at an agreed price. | ||
| boarding house (noun) | a house where food and lodging may be obtained. | ||
| boarding school (noun) | a school in which pupils live as boarders. | ||
| boast (verb) | 1 to speak with too much pride about oneself or one’s belongings, etc (boast about his victory/boast about her big house). 2 to possess (something to be proud of) (a town boasting three theaters). n proud speech; a proud claim. | ||
| boastful (adjective) | fond of or given to boasting. | ||
| boat (noun) | 1 a ship, especially a small one. 2 a dish shaped like a boat (a gravy boat). vb to go in a boat. n boatman | ||
| boatload | Collective noun for aliens (noncitizens) (A boatload of aliens) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| boatswain (noun) | a petty officer on board ship. | ||
| bob (verb) | (bobbed, bobbing) 1 to move quickly up and down (boats bobbing up and down on the water). 2 to cut short (bob her hair). Also n. | ||
| bobbin (noun) | a pin or cylinder round which thread is wound, a reel. | ||
| bode (verb) | bode ill or well to be a bad or good sign of future events (the team’s victory bodes well for the championship). | ||
| bodice (noun) | 1 a woman’s tight-fitting, sleeveless garment worn on the upper body. 2 the upper part of a woman’s dress (a dress with a low-cut bodice). | ||
| bodily (adjective) | having to do with the body (convicted of doing bodily harm to her). adv by taking hold of the body (remove him bodily from the building). | ||
| bodkin (noun) | 1 a needle-like instrument for piercing holes. 2 a blunt needle with a large eye for threading tape through a hem. | ||
| body | Collective noun for pathologists (A body of pathologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| body (noun) | 1 the physical structure of a human being or animal. 2 the main part of anything (the body of the text of the book/the body of the hall). 3 a group of persons (a body of spectators). 4 a dead body, a corpse (police looking for a body). | ||
| bodyguard (noun) | a guard to protect a person from attack. | ||
| bog (noun) | soft, wet ground, a marsh. | ||
| bogey, bogy (noun) | 1 (also bogeyman) a goblin, an imaginary evil spirit. 2 an object of fear (the bogey of unemployment). 3 in golf, one stroke over par on a hole. | ||
| bogie (noun) | 1 a four-wheeled truck supporting the front of a railway engine. 2 (British spelling) a low truck. | ||
| bogus (adjective) | not genuine, sham (she kept getting bogus calls on her cell phone/he was caught travelling on a bogus passport). | ||
| Bogyphobia | fear of bogeys or the bogeyman (see list of phobias) | ||
| bohemian (noun) | anyone who pays little heed to the customs or conventions of the time. | ||
| boil1 (verb) | 1 to bubble from the action of heat (water boiling). 2 to cook in boiling water (boil the potatoes). n boiler | ||
| boil2 (noun) | a painful swelling containing pus. | ||
| boisterous (adjective) | 1 stormy. 2 noisy and cheerful (a boisterous party). | ||
| bold (adjective) | 1 daring, brave. 2 large and clear (bold type). | ||
| boldness (noun) | courage. | ||
| bole (noun) | the trunk of a tree. | ||
| boll (noun) | a seed-container, as of the cotton or flax plant. | ||
| boll weevil (noun) | an insect that destroys cotton bolls. | ||
| Bolshephobia | fear of bolsheviks (see list of phobias) | ||
| bolster (noun) | a long pillow. vb to hold up, to support (get a loan to bolster up the firm’s financial state). | ||
| bolt (noun) | 1 an arrow. 2 a thunderbolt. 3 a bar of a door. vb 1 to fasten with a bolt. 2 to run away (horses bolting in fright). 3 to eat too quickly (bolt one’s food). | ||
| bomb (noun) | a hollow metal missile containing high explosive, gas, etc (buildings blown up by a bomb). vb to attack with bombs (the enemy air force bombed the city). | ||
| bombard (verb) | 1 to fire many guns at. 2 to direct many questions, statements of criticism, etc, at (reporters bombarding the police with questions about the murder). n bombardment | ||
| bombshell (noun) | a very surprising piece of news, often bad news (the closing of the factory was a real bombshell to the town). | ||
| bonbon (noun) | (formal) a candy. | ||
| bond (noun) | 1 that which binds (the bond of friendship/the bond between twins). 2 a written agreement, especially to pay money. 3 (formal) pl chains, fetters (prisoners in bonds). | ||
| bondage (noun) | slavery. | ||
| bone (noun) | 1 the hard substance forming the skeleton of human beings and animals (flesh and bone). 2 any one of the pieces of this (break a bone in the leg). vb to take out the bones from (bone fish). | ||
| bonfire (noun) | a large, open-air fire. | ||
| bonnet (noun) | 1 a headdress. 2 (British spelling) see hood. | ||
| bonny (adjective) | 1 pretty. 2 healthy-looking. | ||
| bonus (noun) | an extra payment, made for a special effort or services (a productivity bonus/a Christmas bonus). | ||
| bony (adjective) | 1 having many bones (bony fish). 2 having protruding bones (his bony back). | ||
| boo | Collective noun for surprises (A boo of surprises) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| booby (noun) | a stupid person. | ||
| booby prize (noun) | a prize given to the worst performer. | ||
| booby trap (noun) | a trap hidden in a place so obvious that no one suspects it. | ||
| book | Collective noun for matches (A book of matches) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| book | Collective noun for Mormons (A book of Mormons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| book | Collective noun for wagers (A book of wagers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| book1 (noun) | printed matter, bound between covers. | ||
| book2 (verb) | to reserve in advance (booked a hotel room/book theater tickets) | ||
| bookish (adjective) | fond of reading or study. | ||
| bookkeeper (noun) | one who keeps accounts. n bookkeeping | ||
| bookmaker (noun), also (informal) bookie) | one who makes his or her living by accepting and paying out on bets. | ||
| bookworm (noun) | one who reads a great deal. | ||
| boom1 (noun) | 1 a long pole to stretch the bottom of a sail. 2 a barrier set up across a harbor entrance or river. | ||
| boom2 (noun) | a long deep sound. Also vb. | ||
| boom3 (noun) | a time of rapid increase or growth (a tourist boom/a baby boom). vb to increase or grow quickly (business is booming). | ||
| boomerang (noun) | a curved throwing stick that returns to the thrower, used by Australian Aboriginals. vb (of an action, plan, etc) to go wrong in such a way that harm or damage is caused to the person responsible. | ||
| boon (noun) | 1 (old) a favor, a special request. 2 an advantage, a blessing. | ||
| boor (noun) | a rough, ill-mannered person. adj boorish. | ||
| boot (noun) | 1 a covering for the foot and lower leg. 2 (British spelling) see trunk. vb to kick (boot the ball into play). | ||
| booth (noun) | 1 a tent at a fair. 2 a covered stall at a market. 3 a small, enclosed structure (a phone booth). | ||
| bootleg (verb) | to smuggle (alcoholic liquor). n bootlegger. adj a cut of pants where the hems flare out slightly. | ||
| booty (noun) | 1 goods seized and divided by the victors after a battle. 2 goods taken by thieves. 3 (slang) the human bottom. | ||
| border (noun) | 1 the outer edge of anything (a handkerchief with a lace border/a white border round the picture). 2 the boundary between two countries (show one’s passport at the border). 3 a flowerbed round a lawn, etc (borders of pansies). vb to be next to (the farm bordering ours). border (up)on to come close to, to be almost (a crime bordering on treason). | ||
| bore1 (verb) | to make a hole in. n 1 the hole made by boring. 2 the greatest breadth of a tube, especially of a gun. | ||
| bore2 (verb) | to weary by uninteresting talk, etc (an audience bored by a long speech). n a person whose talk is wearisome. adj boring. | ||
| bore3 (noun) | a large tidal wave. | ||
| bored (adjective) | weary and dissatisfied with one’s circumstances (bored children with nothing to do). | ||
| boredom (noun) | the state of being bored. | ||
| born (past participle) | of bear, sense 6. | ||
| borne (past participle) | of bear, senses 1–5, 7. | ||
| borrow (verb) | to ask or receive as a loan (borrow money from the bank bor-o-wer/. | ||
| bosom (noun) | 1 the breast (an ample bosom). 2 (lit or fml) the heart, considered as the seat of desires and feelings (hope stirred in his bosom). adj close, well-loved (bosom friends). | ||
| boss1 (noun) | a knob. | ||
| boss2 (noun) | (informal) a master, a manager(ess). vb 1 to be in charge. 2 to order about (older boys bossing younger ones). | ||
| bossy (adjective) | (informal) fond of ordering others about (bossy people/in a bossy manner). | ||
| Botanophobia | fear of plants (see list of phobias) | ||
| Botany | study of plants (see list of branches of science) | ||
| botany (noun) | the science or study of plants. adj botanic , botanical n botanist | ||
| bother (verb) | 1 to annoy (stop bothering your mother for candy). 2 to trouble oneself (don’t bother to get up). n a trouble. | ||
| bottle (noun) | 1 a container, usually of glass, with a narrow neck. 2 (informal) courage, boldness (lose one’s bottle). vb to put into bottles (bottle wine). | ||
| bottleneck (noun) | 1 a narrow or busy part of a road where traffic has to slow down or stop. 2 something that slows down progress (production held up by a bottleneck in the system). | ||
| bottom (noun) | 1 the lowest part (at the bottom of the well the bottom flat). adj bottomless. | ||
| boudoir (noun) | (formal) a lady’s private room. | ||
| bough (noun) | (formal) the branch of a tree. | ||
| bought (past tense) | of buy. | ||
| bouillon (noun) | a strong broth. | ||
| boulder (noun) | a large smooth stone. | ||
| boulevard (noun) | a wide street, with trees planted along either side. | ||
| bounce (verb) | to jump or rebound suddenly (balls that bounce easily/children bouncing with joy). Also n. | ||
| bouncing (adjective) | big, strong (a bouncing baby). | ||
| bound1 (noun) | a limit or boundary beyond which one must not go. vb to form a limit or boundary. | ||
| bound2 (verb) | to jump, to leap. Also n. | ||
| bound3 (adjective) | 1 on the way to (homeward bound). 2 (pt of bind). 3 obliged (feel bound to report him). 4 sure (to do something) (bound to fail). 5 tied (with bound hands). 6 covered (bound books). | ||
| boundary (noun) | 1 an outer limit. 2 a border. | ||
| boundless (adjective) | without limit, endless (with boundless energy). | ||
| bountiful (adjective) | (formal) giving generously. | ||
| bounty (noun) | (formal) 1 generosity, kindness. 2 a gift of money above what is earned. | ||
| bouquet | Collective noun for florists (A bouquet of florists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bouquet | Collective noun for flowers (A bouquet of flowers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bouquet | Collective noun for melons (A bouquet of melons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bouquet | Collective noun for pheasants (A bouquet of pheasants) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bouquet | Collective noun for roses (A bouquet of roses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bouquet | Collective noun for wine tasters (A bouquet of wine tasters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bouquet (noun) | 1 a bunch of flowers. 2 perfume of wine. | ||
| bout | Collective noun for estimations (A bout of estimations) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bout (noun) | 1 a period of action (bouts of activity). 2 an attack (of illness) (a bout of flu). 3 a contest (a boxing bout). | ||
| boutique (noun) | a small shop selling fashionable clothes (a boutique selling only designer clothes). | ||
| bovine (adjective) | 1 like an ox. 2 slow and stupid. | ||
| bow tie (noun) | a tie tied in the shape of a bow, usually for formal occasions. | ||
| bow window (noun) | a window built into a section of wall that curves out and back. | ||
| bow1 (verb) | 1 to bend, especially in respect or greeting (bow to the queen). 2 to lower (bow his head). n a bending of the head or body in respect or greeting. | ||
| bow2 (noun) | 1 a weapon for shooting arrows. 2 a looped knot. 3 a stick for playing a stringed instrument (e.g. the violin). | ||
| bow3 (noun) | the curved front part of a ship. | ||
| bowed (adjective) | bent, stooping (with head bowed in prayer). | ||
| bowels (noun, plural) | 1 the inside of the body, the intestines. 2 the organ by means of which waste matter is expelled from the body. | ||
| bowie-knife (noun) | a long curved hunting knife. | ||
| bowl | Collective noun for ice cream (A bowl of ice cream) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bowl | Collective noun for keglers (A bowl of keglers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bowl1 (noun) | a roundish dish or basin (a pudding bowl). | ||
| bowl2 (noun) | 1 a heavy wooden ball. 2 pl the game played with such balls. vb 1 to play bowls. 2 to deliver the ball at cricket. | ||
| bowlegged (adjective) | having legs wide apart at the knees. | ||
| bowler (noun) | one who bowls. | ||
| bowline (noun) | 1 a rope on a sailing ship. 2 a knot that does not slip. | ||
| bowling (noun) | a game where you attempt to knock down 10 pins by rolling a large, heavy ball down an alley. | ||
| box room (noun) | a storage room in a house. | ||
| box1 (noun) | a type of hardwood tree. | ||
| box2 (noun) | 1 a case or container (a box of chocolates/boxes of books). 2 in a theater, a separate compartment with seats, overlooking the stage. vb to put in a box (a job boxing apples). | ||
| box3 (verb) | 1 to strike (box the boy’s ears). 2 to fight in sport, wearing padded gloves. n boxer | ||
| boxing (noun) | the sport of fighting with padded gloves on. | ||
| Boxing Day (noun) | (Br) the day after Christmas Day. | ||
| boy (noun) | 1 a male child (have two boys and a girl). 2 a young male person. n boyhood | ||
| Boy Scout (noun) | formerly the name given to a member of an international youth organization for boys, now Scout. | ||
| boycott (verb) | to refuse to have any dealings with (workers boycotting firms whose employees are not union members). Also n. | ||
| bra | abbreviation for brassiere, underwear worn by women to support the breasts. | ||
| brace | Collective noun for orthodontists (A brace of orthodontists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| brace (noun) | 1 a support. 2 a pair or a couple (a brace of pheasants). 3 a boring tool. 4 (British spelling) see suspenders. vb to steady or prepare oneself (brace yourself for some bad news). | ||
| bracelet (noun) | an ornament for the wrist. | ||
| bracing (adjective) | giving strength (a bracing climate). | ||
| bracket (noun) | 1 a support for something fixed to a wall (lights supported by brackets). 2 pl marks in printing to enclose a word, as {}, , (), or <>. vb 1 to enclose in brackets (bracket the information). 2 to link or connect (bracket the two cases together). | ||
| brag (noun) | a boast. vb (bragged, bragging) to boast (brag about the cost of her jewels). | ||
| braid (verb) | to twist together into one (braid her hair). n 1 a plait of cords or of hair so twisted together. 2 a narrow edging of decorated tape. | ||
| braided (adjective) | edged with braid. | ||
| Braille (noun) | a system of printing for blind people in which the letters of the alphabet and numbers are printed as raised dots that can be read by touching them. | ||
| brain (noun) | 1 the soft matter within the skull, the center of the nervous system (an operation on the brain). 2 pl cleverness, intelligence (the job requires someone with brains). 3 (informal) someone very clever or intelligent. vb to dash the brains out. | ||
| brainless (adjective) | stupid. | ||
| brainy (adjective) | (informal) clever. | ||
| brake1 (noun) | 1 a fern. 2 a clump of bushes or undergrowth. | ||
| brake2 (noun) | 1 a large wagon. 2 an apparatus for slowing or stopping a vehicle. vb to apply the brake (brake sharply). | ||
| bramble (noun) | 1 a prickly bush, especially the blackberry bush. 2 the berry from this bush. | ||
| bran (noun) | the husks of cereal grain when separated from the flour. | ||
| branch (noun) | 1 a shoot growing out of the trunk or one of the boughs of a tree. 2 any connected part of a larger body (e.g. office, store, bank, etc) (branches responsible to head office). vb to divide into branches (the road branches here). branch out 1 to begin something new (after working for the family firm, he’s branching out on his own). 2 to expand (the firm is branching out into computers). | ||
| brand (noun) | 1 (formal) a burning piece of wood. 2 a mark made with a hot iron to identify cattle, etc. 3 a trademark, a special make of article (several brands of tinned soup). 4 variety (his own brand of humor). vb 1 to mark with a hot iron (brand cattle). 2 to mark down (as being bad). | ||
| brandish (verb) | to wave, to shake (brandish a sword in the air). | ||
| brandy (noun) | an alcoholic drink made from wine. | ||
| branle | Collective noun for diplomats (A branle of diplomats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| brass (noun) | 1 an alloy of copper and zinc. 2 (informal) impudence (have the brass to call me a liar). adj brassy. | ||
| brassiere | underwear worn by women to support the breasts. | ||
| brat (noun) | an ill-mannered child. | ||
| bravado (noun) | pretended courage, boastful talk. | ||
| brave (adjective) | courageous, daring (a brave man/a brave action). vb 1 to defy (brave the opposition). 2 to face with courage (brave the dangerous journey). n a Native American warrior. | ||
| bravery (noun) | courage, daring. | ||
| brawl (verb) | to quarrel noisily (drunks brawling in the pub). n a noisy row. n brawler. | ||
| brawn (noun) | muscle, strength. | ||
| brawny (adjective) | muscular, strong. | ||
| bray (verb) | to make a loud, harsh sound, as an ass. Also n. | ||
| brazen (adjective) | 1 made of brass. 2 impudent, bold (a brazen young woman). vb to face boldly and impudently. | ||
| breach (noun) | 1 act of breaking (a breach of the law). 2 (formal) a gap (breach in the wall). 3 a fault (breach in security). 4 a quarrel, separation (breach between two sections of the club). vb to make a gap or opening in. | ||
| bread (noun) | a food made from flour or meal and baked. | ||
| breadth (noun) | the distance from side to side, width. | ||
| breadwinner (noun) | the person whose earnings supply the needs of the family. | ||
| break (verb) | (pt broke, pp broken) 1 to separate into two or more parts, usually by force (break a vase). 2 to become unusable or in need of repair (the machine is broken). 3 to tame (break in the new horses). 4 to fail to keep (break a promise/break the law). 5 to tell gently (break the news). 6 to go with force (break out from the prison). 7 to do better than (break a record). n 1 an opening. 2 a separation. 3 a pause. adj breakable. | ||
| breakage (noun) | 1 a breaking. 2 the thing broken. | ||
| breaker (noun) | a wave broken by rocks. | ||
| breakfast (noun) | the first meal in the day. vb to eat breakfast. | ||
| breakthrough (noun) | an important new development (a breakthrough in the treatment of cancer). | ||
| breakwater (noun) | a wall to break the force of the waves. | ||
| breast (noun) | 1 (formal) the front part of the body from the neck to the stomach, the chest (a soldier stabbed in the breast). 2 each of the milk-producing glands in a female. vb 1 to face (breast the waves). 2 to touch (breast the tape). 3 to come to the top of (breast the hill). | ||
| breastplate (noun) | armor for the breast. | ||
| breath (noun) | 1 the air taken into and put out from the lungs. 2 a gentle breeze. | ||
| breathe (verb) | 1 to take air into one’s lungs and put it out again. 2 (formal) to live (while he breathes he will be loyal). 3 (formal) to whisper (breathe a reply in her ear). | ||
| breathless (adjective) | 1 out of breath, panting (breathless after climbing the hill). 2 excited, eager (in breathless expectation). adv breathlessly. | ||
| breech (noun) | 1 the back part of a gun barrel. 2 pl breeches pants that fasten just below the knee. | ||
| breed (verb) | (pt, pp bred) 1 to produce young (rabbits breeding rapidly). 2 to keep (animals) for the purpose of breeding young (he breeds Alsatians). 3 to be the cause of (breed disaster). n a type, variety, species (a breed of cattle/a new breed of men). | ||
| breeding (noun) | 1 the bearing of offspring. 2 good manners. | ||
| breeze (noun) | a light wind. | ||
| breezy (adjective) | 1 windy. 2 lively (in a breezy manner). adv breezily. | ||
| brethren (noun, plural) | (old or relig) brothers. | ||
| brevity (noun) | (formal) shortness (the brevity of the statement). | ||
| brew (verb) | 1 to make beer. 2 to make tea. 3 to be about to start (a storm brewing/trouble brewing). n the mixture made by brewing. n brewer. | ||
| brewery (noun) | a factory where beer is made. | ||
| bribe (noun) | a reward offered to win favor or preference unfairly (get into the country by bribing the border guard). vb to win over by bribes. n bribery | ||
| bric-à-brac (noun) | small ornaments (a shelf covered by bric-à-brac). | ||
| brick (noun) | 1 a block of baked clay. 2 (informal) a good or helpful person. | ||
| brickbat (noun) | a piece of criticism (a play receiving only brickbats). | ||
| bricklayer (noun) | one who builds with bricks. | ||
| bridal (adjective) | concerning a bride or a wedding (the bridal party). | ||
| bride (noun) | a woman about to be married, or newly married. | ||
| bridegroom (noun) | a man about to be married, or newly married. | ||
| bridesmaid (noun) | a girl or woman who attends the bride at a wedding. | ||
| bridge | Collective noun for admirals (A bridge of admirals) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bridge | Collective noun for lyricists (A bridge of lyricists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bridge1 (noun) | 1 a roadway built across a river, etc. 2 the small deck for a ship’s captain. 3 the piece of wood that supports the strings of a violin, etc. vb 1 to build a bridge over. 2 to close a gap or a pause so as to make a connection (bridging the awkward silence with a few remarks). | ||
| bridge2 (noun) | a card game. | ||
| bridle (noun) | 1 the head straps and metal bit by which a horse is guided. 2 a check (act as a bridle on her extravagance). vb 1 to put a bridle on (bridle a horse). 2 to check (bridle his anger). 3 to toss the head in anger, etc (bridle at his criticism). 4 to show anger or indignation. | ||
| brief (noun) | a summary of an argument, especially a law case for use in court. adj short (a brief statement). vb to provide with a summary of the facts. | ||
| briefcase (noun) | a case for carrying papers. | ||
| brier, briar (noun) | a thorn bush, the wild rose. | ||
| brigade (noun) | an army unit consisting usually of three battalions. | ||
| brigadier (noun) | an officer commanding a brigade. | ||
| brigand (noun) | (old) a member of a band of robbers. | ||
| bright (adjective) | 1 shining (a bright light). 2 strong, vivid (a bright red color). 3 lively, cheerful (the invalid is a bit brighter). 4 clever (a bright pupil). n brightness. | ||
| brighten (verb) | to make or become bright (candles brightening the room/something to brighten her mood). | ||
| brill (noun) | a type of flatfish. | ||
| brilliant (adjective) | 1 sparkling. 2 very bright. 3 very clever. n a diamond. n brilliance , brilliancy | ||
| brim (noun) | 1 the rim (the brim of the cup). 2 the edge (the brim of the hat). | ||
| brimful, brimming (adjective) | full to the brim (glasses brimful with wine). | ||
| brimstone (noun) | sulfur. | ||
| brindled (adjective) | marked with streaks (a brindled terrier). | ||
| brine (noun) | salt water. the briny the sea. | ||
| bring (verb) | (pt, pp brought ) 1 to fetch, to carry (bring food with you/bring a friend to the party). 2 to cause (death bringing sadness and grief). bring about to cause to happen. bring off to succeed (bring off a victory). bring up 1 to rear, to educate (bring up three children). 2 to raise (a subject for discussion). | ||
| brink (noun) | 1 the edge of a steep place (at the brink of the waterfall). 2 the edge, the point (on the brink of disaster). | ||
| brisk (adjective) | keen; lively. adv briskly. n briskness. | ||
| brisket (noun) | a cut of meat from the breast of an animal. | ||
| bristle (noun) | a short, stiff hair. vb to stand on end. | ||
| bristly (adjective) | having bristles, rough (a bristly chin). | ||
| brittle (adjective) | hard but easily broken (brittle wood/brittle bones). | ||
| broach (verb) | 1 (formal) to open up (broach a new bottle of wine). 2 to begin to speak of (broach the question of money). | ||
| broad (adjective) | 1 wide (a broad piece of ribbon). 2 not detailed, general (a broad description). 3 (of speech) with a strong local accent. n broadness. | ||
| broadband | Collective noun for telecom workers (A broadband of telecom workers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| broadcast (verb) | (pt, pp broadcast) 1 to make widely known (broadcast his views to the whole office). 2 to send out by radio or television (broadcast the game). 3 to scatter widely (broadcast seed). Also n. | ||
| broaden (verb) | to make or become broad or broader (broaden the road/the road broadens here). | ||
| broad-minded (adjective) | ready to listen to and consider opinions different from one’s own; liberal. | ||
| brocade (noun) | a silk cloth with a raised pattern. | ||
| broccoli (noun) | a green vegetable. | ||
| brochure (noun) | a small book, a pamphlet (a brochure advertising the hotel). | ||
| broil (verb) | to cook over a fire, to grill. | ||
| broiler (noun) | the part of a stove that cooks using direct heat, usually above, the food. | ||
| broker (noun) | 1 one who buys and sells for others for a commission. 2 a stockbroker. | ||
| Bromatology | study of food (see list of branches of science) | ||
| bromide | Collective noun for greeting cards (A bromide of greeting cards) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Bromidrophobia | fear of body smells (see list of phobias) | ||
| Bromidrosiphobia | fear of body smells (see list of phobias) | ||
| bronchial (adjective) | having to do with the bronchi, the branches of the windpipe to the lungs. | ||
| bronchitis (noun) | an illness affecting the windpipe to the lungs. | ||
| bronco, broncho (noun) | a half-tamed horse. | ||
| Brontophobia | fear of thunder and lightning (see list of phobias) | ||
| brontosaurus (noun) | a very large plant-eating dinosaur. | ||
| bronze (noun) | 1 an alloy of copper and tin. 2 a reddish-brown color. vb to give or become a reddish-brown color. | ||
| brooch (noun) | an ornamental pin. | ||
| brood | Collective noun for chickens (A brood of chickens) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| brood | Collective noun for hens (A brood of hens) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| brood | Collective noun for nestlings (A brood of nestlings) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| brood (verb) | 1 to sit on eggs. 2 to think deeply or anxiously about (brood about her money problems). n 1 children. 2 a family of young birds. | ||
| broody (adjective) | 1 hatching eggs. 2 badly wanting to have children (she feels broody when she looks at a newborn baby). | ||
| brook1 (noun) | a small stream. | ||
| brook2 (verb) | (formal) to bear, to tolerate (brook no interference). | ||
| broom (noun) | 1 a plant with yellow flowers. 2 a brush, especially one of twigs. | ||
| broomstick (noun) | the handle of a broom. | ||
| broth (noun) | a meat soup with vegetables. | ||
| brother (noun) | (pl brothers or (old or relig) brethren ) 1 a son of the same parents. 2 a member of the same group. | ||
| brotherhood (noun) | 1 the relation of a brother. 2 a group with one common purpose. | ||
| brotherly (adjective) | of or like a brother. | ||
| brought | past tense, past participle of bring. | ||
| brow | Collective noun for scholars (A brow of scholars) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| brow (noun) | 1 the forehead. 2 the jutting-out edge of a cliff or hill (the brow of the hill). | ||
| browbeat (verb) | to bully (browbeat the younger boy into doing his work). | ||
| brown (adjective) | of a dark color. Also n. vb to make or become brown. | ||
| brownie (noun) | 1 a small, rich, chocolate cake, usually square, with nuts.2 a kindly fairy. 3 (British spelling) (cap) formerly, a junior member of the Girl Guides, now Brownie Guide. | ||
| browse (verb) | 1 to feed upon (cows browsing in the fields). 2 to glance through a book (browse through the catalog). | ||
| browser (noun) | a software package that enables a user to find and read documents on the World Wide Web. | ||
| bruise (noun) | a dark blotch on the skin, caused by a knock. vb to cause a bruise on (the fall bruised her face). | ||
| brunette (noun) | a woman with dark brown hair. | ||
| brunt (noun) | the main force or shock of something, the worst effects (the mother bore the brunt of the father’s violence). | ||
| brush (noun) | 1 an instrument for cleaning, sweeping, or smoothing. 2 an instrument for putting paint on to something. 3 the tail of a fox. 4 small trees and bushes. 5 a short battle. 5 (informal) a slight disagreement or hostile encounter (a brush with the police). vb 1 to clean with a brush. 2 to touch lightly. | ||
| brushwood (noun) | 1 small trees and bushes. 2 a thicket. | ||
| brusque (adjective) | blunt, rude and abrupt in speech or manner. adv brusquely. n brusqueness. | ||
| Brussels sprout (noun) | a small, round, green vegetable like a very small cabbage. | ||
| brutal (adjective) | cruel, savage (a brutal murder). | ||
| brutality (noun) | cruelty, savagery. | ||
| brute (noun) | 1 an animal. 2 (informal) a cruel person (he was a brute to leave her like that). | ||
| Bryology | study of mosses and liverworts (see list of branches of science) | ||
| bubble (noun) | a film of water or other liquid, containing air (bubbles in the glasses of champagne). vb to form bubbles. adj bubbly | ||
| buccaneer (noun) | a pirate. | ||
| buck (noun) | 1 a male deer, goat, rabbit, etc. 2 (old) a dandy, a lively young man. 3 (informal) a dollar. vb to jump straight up with the back arched. | ||
| bucket (noun) | a vessel for carrying water, a pail. | ||
| buckle (noun) | a fastener for joining the ends of a belt or band. vb 1 to fasten (buckle on his belt). 2 to bend out of shape (metal buckling in the intense heat). | ||
| buckskin (noun) | a soft leather. | ||
| bud (noun) | a leaf or flower before it opens. vb (budded, budding) to put out buds. | ||
| Buddhist (noun) | a person who believes in the religious teaching of Buddha. n Buddhism | ||
| budding (adjective) | promising (a budding young artist). | ||
| budge (verb) | (informal) to move, to stir (I can’t budge this heavy wardrobe/she won’t budge from that seat). | ||
| budgerigar (noun) | a type of small parrot that can be trained to talk. | ||
| budget | Collective noun for letters (A budget of letters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| budget (noun) | 1 a statement of government taxation and intended spending for the coming year. 2 a plan to ensure that household expenses or those of a firm or organization will not be greater than income (keep within our monthly budget). vb 1 to make such a plan (I try to budget but I always seem to spend too much). 2 to allow for something in a budget (they hadn’t budgeted for such a large phone bill). | ||
| buff (noun) | 1 a type of leather. 2 a pale dull yellow color. adj light yellow. | ||
| buffalo (noun) | (pl buffalos or buffaloes) a type of ox. | ||
| buffer (noun) | an apparatus to lessen the force of a collision or shock. | ||
| buffet1 (noun) | 1 a sideboard. 2 a counter or bar at which refreshments may be obtained (the station buffet). 3 a meal, often cold, set out on tables so that people can help themselves (have a buffet supper). | ||
| buffet2 (noun) | (formal) a blow, a slap (give his son a buffet on the side of the head). vb 1 to strike. 2 to knock about (boats buffeted by strong winds). | ||
| buffoon (noun) | 1 a clown. 2 a person who plays the fool. | ||
| buffoonery | Collective noun for orangutans (A buffoonery of orangutans) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Bufonophobia | fear of toads (see list of phobias) | ||
| bug (noun) | 1 a blood-sucking insect (bedbugs). 2 any insect (bugs crawling over our picnic). 3 (informal) an infection (a stomach bug). 4 (informal) a hidden microphone used to record other people’s conversations secretly (a bug in his hotel room). 5 a defect or error in a computer program or system. vb (bugged, bugging) (informal) 1 to install or use a hidden microphone (bug his room). 2 (informal) to annoy (what’s bugging you?). | ||
| bugle (noun) | a small brass instrument like a trumpet. n bugler. | ||
| build (verb) | (pt, pp built ) to put together materials in order to make something, to construct. n builder. | ||
| building | Collective noun for rooks (A building of rooks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| building (noun) | the thing built. | ||
| bulb (noun) | 1 the round root of certain flowers. 2 a pear-shaped glass globe surrounding the element of an electric light. | ||
| bulbous (adjective) | bulb-shaped, swollen. | ||
| bulge (noun) | a swelling. vb to swell out (his muscles are bulging after weight-training). adj bulgy | ||
| bulimia (noun) | an eating disorder in which bouts of over-eating are followed by bouts of vomiting in order to lose weight. adj bulimic. | ||
| bulk (noun) | 1 the size, especially of large things (the package is not heavy but its sheer bulk makes it difficult to move). 2 the main part (the bulk of their money goes on housing). in bulk in a large quantity. vb to make fuller, to increase in size (use gel to bulk out her hair). bulk large (formal) to be important or prominent (education does not bulk large in his plans). | ||
| bulkhead (noun) | an inside wall between one part of a ship or airplane and another. | ||
| bulky (adjective) | very large and awkward to move or carry. | ||
| bull1 (noun) | 1 the male of cattle. 2 the male ox, elephant, whale, etc. | ||
| bull2 (noun) | a ruling by the pope. | ||
| bulldog (noun) | a type of dog. | ||
| bulldozer (noun) | a heavy tractor for clearing away obstacles and making land level. | ||
| bullet (noun) | a small piece of metal shot from a rifle or pistol. | ||
| bulletin (noun) | 1 a short, official report of news. 2 a printed information sheet or newspaper (the company bulletin). | ||
| bulletproof (adjective) | not able to be pierced by bullets (a bulletproof vest). | ||
| bullfrog (noun) | a large frog. | ||
| bullion (noun) | uncoined gold and silver in lumps. | ||
| bulls-eye (noun) | 1 the center of a target. 2 a shot that hits it. 3 a type of candy. | ||
| bully (noun) | a person who uses his or her strength to hurt or to terrify those who are weaker. vb to intimidate, oppress, or hurt (bullying younger boys/bullied people into doing what he wants). | ||
| bulrush (noun) | a tall weed. | ||
| bumblebee (noun) | a large type of bee. | ||
| bump (noun) | 1 a heavy blow, or the dull noise made by it (receive a bump on the head in the accident). 2 a lump caused by a blow. vb to knock against. adj bumpy | ||
| bumper (noun) | 1 (old) a full glass or cup. 2 a protective bar at the front and the back of an automobile. adj unusually large or full (a bumper harvest). | ||
| bumptious (adjective) | conceited, too full of oneself. | ||
| bun (noun) | 1 a small cake. 2 hair styled in a rounded mass. | ||
| bunch | Collective noun for grapes (A bunch of grapes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bunch | Collective noun for things (A bunch of things) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bunch (noun) | 1 a group or collection of things of the same kind (a bunch of flowers a bunch of keys). 2 (informal) a group of people (her friends are a nice bunch). vb to come or put together in groups or bunches (traffic bunching on motorways/players bunched up on the field). | ||
| bundle | Collective noun for asparagus (A bundle of asparagus) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bundle | Collective noun for clothes (A bundle of clothes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bundle | Collective noun for nerves (A bundle of nerves) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bundle | Collective noun for rags (A bundle of rags) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bundle (noun) | a collection of things tied together. vb 1 to tie in a bundle (bundle up the old clothes for the rummage sale). 2 to force to go in a hurry (bundle the children off to school). | ||
| bungalow (noun) | a low house usually of one story. | ||
| bungee jumping (noun) | the act of jumping from a high place while the ankles are secured by an elastic cord. | ||
| bungle (verb) | to do badly or clumsily (bungle a deal and lose the firm money). Also n. | ||
| bunion (noun) | a swelling on the foot, especially on the big toe. | ||
| bunk (noun) | 1 a narrow bed, especially in a ship. 2 one of a pair of beds placed one above the other (bunk beds). | ||
| bunker (noun) | 1 a ship’s coal store. 2 a large chest for storing coal. 3 (British spelling) see sand trap. | ||
| bunny (noun) | (informal) a rabbit. | ||
| Bunsen burner (noun) | a pipe mounted on a stand through which gas flows and which is lit to make a flame. It is used in science classes and laboratories. | ||
| bunt (verb) | to hit a baseball very lightly. | ||
| bunting | Collective noun for flags (A bunting of flags) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bunting (noun) | 1 a material used for making flags. 2 flags. | ||
| buoy (noun) | an object floating in a fixed position to show ships the safe course. vb 1 to keep afloat. 2 to support, to keep high (profits buoyed up by the export market/buoy up his hopes). 3 to raise the spirits of (thoughts of going home buoyed him up). | ||
| buoyant (adjective) | 1 floating, able to float easily (cork is a buoyant material). 2 cheerful, optimistic (in buoyant mood). n buoyancy | ||
| bur, burr (noun) | the prickly seed container of certain plants. | ||
| burden (noun) | 1 a load. 2 the chorus of a song. 3 the leading idea (of). vb to load heavily. adj burdensome (a burdensome task). | ||
| bureau (noun) | (pl bureaux or bureaus) 1 (British spelling) a writing desk with drawers (an antique bureau). 2 an office (an accommodation bureau/an exchange bureau). | ||
| bureaucracy (noun) | 1 a system of government by paid officials working for a government (civil service bureaucracy). 2 these officials taken as a group. 3 a system of doing things officially, often unnecessarily complicated and time-consuming (complain about the bureaucracy involved in getting a license). | ||
| burglar (noun) | a thief who breaks into a house. | ||
| burglary (noun) | the crime of housebreaking. | ||
| burgle (verb) | to commit burglary. | ||
| burial (noun) | the act of putting into a grave. | ||
| burlap | a coarse material used in making sacks. | ||
| burlesque (noun) | a comic or mocking imitation, a parody, a caricature. Also adj and vb. | ||
| burly (adjective) | stout, big and strong (troublemakers thrown out by burly doormen). | ||
| burn (verb) | (pt, pp burnt or burned ) 1 to be alight, to give out heat (wood that burns easily). 2 to be on fire (the house is burning). 3 to destroy or damage by fire (all their possessions were burnt in the blaze). 4 to hurt or injure by fire (he was badly burnt in the fire). 5 to be very hot (burn with fever). 6 to feel great anger, passion, etc. n a hurt caused by fire (receive severe burns in the fire). | ||
| burner (noun) | the part of a stove, etc, from which the flame comes. | ||
| burnish (verb) | to polish. Also n. | ||
| burr (noun) | 1 a throaty sounding of the letter r. 2 a bur. | ||
| burrow (noun) | a hole in the earth made by certain animals, e.g. rabbits, foxes, etc. vb 1 to make by digging (burrow a hole). 2 to search for something (burrow in her pocket for keys). | ||
| burst (verb) | (pt, pp burst) 1 to break in pieces (the balloon burst). 2 to rush, to go suddenly or violently (burst into the room). n a sudden outbreak (a burst of applause). | ||
| bury | Collective noun for conies (A bury of conies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bury (verb) | 1 to put into a grave. 2 to put under ground. | ||
| bus (noun) | a large road vehicle for carrying passengers (short for omnibus). vb (bussed, bussing or bused, busing) to transport by bus (bus the children to school). | ||
| bush (noun) | 1 a small low tree. 2 wild, uncleared country; forest country. | ||
| bushel | Collective noun for apples (A bushel of apples) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| bushel (noun) | a dry measure (35.3 liters) for grain, etc. | ||
| bushy (adjective) | 1 full of bushes. 2 thick-growing (bushy hair). | ||
| business | Collective noun for ferrets (A business of ferrets) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| business (noun) | 1 one’s work or job (selling furniture is his business). 2 trade and commerce (a career in business). 3 a matter that concerns a particular person (none of your business). adj business-like. | ||
| bust (noun) | 1 a statue showing only the head, shoulders, and breast of a person (a bust of Shakespeare). 2 the shoulders and breast. | ||
| bustle1 (verb) | to move about busily and often fussily (bustling about preparing a meal). n noisy movement, hurry. | ||
| bustle2 (noun) | a frame or pad once worn to hold out the back of a woman’s skirt. | ||
| busy (adjective) | 1 always doing something (too busy to visit her family). 2 at work, engaged in a job, etc (he’s busy and will call you back). 3 full of people, traffic, etc (busy shops bi-zi-lee/. | ||
| busybody (noun) | one who shows too a lot of interest in the affairs of others, a meddler. | ||
| butcher (noun) | 1 one who kills and sells animals for food. 2 a cruel killer (the leader of the enemy army was a butcher). vb 1 to kill for food. 2 to kill cruelly. | ||
| butchery (noun) | cruel slaughter. | ||
| butler (noun) | the chief manservant in a household, formerly in charge of the wine cellar. | ||
| butt1 (noun) | 1 a large barrel. 2 the thicker end of a thing (the butt of a rifle). vb to strike with the head or horns (butted by a ram). | ||
| butt2 (noun) | 1 a mark to be shot at. 2 the mound behind the targets for rifle practice. 3 a person who is always being made fun of (the butt of his jokes). | ||
| butter (noun) | an oily food made from milk. | ||
| buttercup (noun) | a common yellow wild flower. | ||
| butterfly (noun) | 1 an insect with large colorful wings. 2 a frivolous unreliable person. | ||
| buttermilk (noun) | the liquid that remains after the butter has been made. | ||
| butterscotch (noun) | a hard toffee. | ||
| button (noun) | 1 a knob or disc to fasten one part of a garment to another. 2 something shaped like a button, especially a knob or switch on an electrical appliance (press the red button to switch on). vb to fasten with buttons (button up your coat). | ||
| buttonhole | Collective noun for lobbyists (A buttonhole of lobbyists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| buttonhole (noun) | 1 a hole for a button. 2 a flower worn in a buttonhole. vb to stop and hold in conversation (he buttonholed me and bored me with his holiday plans). | ||
| buy (verb) | (pt, pp bought) to obtain by paying for. | ||
| buyer (noun) | 1 one who buys. 2 one whose job is to buy goods (the buyer in the dress department). | ||
| buzz (noun) | a humming noise. Also vb. | ||
| buzzard (noun) | a type of hawk. | ||
| by (preposition) | 1. next to (sit by me). 2 by the means of (it was built by hand/ we traveled by train). 3 through the work of (built by the Egyptians) adv 1 near (it’s by the door). 2 past (in times gone by). | ||
| by and by (adverb) | soon (I’ll see you by and by). n by-and-by a future occasion or time. | ||
| bye (noun) | 1 in cricket, a run made from a ball that is not hit. 2 in a competition, a pass without contest into the next round. | ||
| bygone (adjective) | (formal) past (in bygone days). npl bygones past events. | ||
| bylaw, bye-law (noun) | a law made by a local body and applying to the area in which the body has authority. | ||
| by-product (noun) | something made in the course of making a more important article. | ||
| bystander (noun) | an onlooker, a spectator (bystanders at the accident scene giving statements to the police). | ||
| byte | Collective noun for computer operators (A byte of computer operators) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| byte (noun) | the unit of storage in a computer memory. | ||
| byway (noun) | a side road. | ||
C
| C, c (noun) | 1 the third letter of the alphabet. 2 (music) the first note of the scale of C major. | ||
| cab (noun) | 1 (informal) a taxi. 2 (old) a horse carriage for public hire. 3 the driver’s part of a railway engine or truck. | ||
| cabaret (noun) | a form of light entertainment consisting of songs and dancing, usually performed in a nightclub or restaurant (diners watching the cabaret). | ||
| cabbage (noun) | a common vegetable with edible leaves formed into a bud. | ||
| cabin (noun) | 1 a small, simple house, a hut (a log cabin). 2 a room on a ship for passengers to stay in. 3 the space available for passengers or crew on an aircraft. 4 the covered part of a yacht. | ||
| cabinet (noun) | 1 a display case. 2 a piece of furniture with drawers (a filing cabinet). 3 a case or container for a radio, television, etc. 4 (often cap) the body of official advisors to a president, governor, etc: in the US, composed of the heads of various governmental departments. | ||
| cable (noun) | 1 a strong rope, often of wire. 2 a chain attached to a ship’s anchor. 3 an undersea or underground telegraph or telephone line. 4 a bundle of electric wires enclosed in a pipe. 5 a message sent by cable sense 3. 6 cable television. vb to send a message by cable. | ||
| cable television (noun) | a television service that is supplied using underground cables. | ||
| cablegram (noun) | a more formal name for cable, sense 5. | ||
| cacao (noun) | a tropical tree that bears seeds from which chocolate and cocoa are made. | ||
| cache | Collective noun for ammunition (A cache of ammunition) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cache | Collective noun for arms (A cache of arms) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cache | Collective noun for jewelery (A cache of jewelery) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cache | Collective noun for weapons (A cache of weapons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cackle (noun) | 1 the shrill, broken sound of a hen or goose. 2 noisy chatter (the cackle of people gossiping). 3 loud unpleasant laughter (try to ignore the cackle coming from the other room). Also vb. | ||
| Cacogenics | study of racial degeneration (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Cacophobia | fear of ugliness (see list of phobias) | ||
| cacophony (noun) | (formal) loud, unpleasant mixture of different sounds. adj cacophonous | ||
| cactus (noun) | (pl cacti) a desert plant with fleshy stems, reduced or prickly leaves, and often bright, colorful flowers. | ||
| CAD | abbreviation for computer-aided design, design (of products) using a computer (most of their work was done using CAD software). | ||
| cadet (noun) | 1 someone training in the armed forces. 2 a schoolboy at a military school. 3 (formal) a younger son. | ||
| cadge | Collective noun for peregrines (A cadge of peregrines) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| café (noun) | a coffeehouse, a small restaurant serving light meals. | ||
| cafeteria (noun) | a restaurant in which a person serves him or herself from a variety of meals that are displayed on or behind a counter. | ||
| caffeine (noun) | a chemical which is a stimulant and is in tea, coffee and some soft drinks. | ||
| cage (noun) | a box with one or more walls consisting of bars or wire netting in which animals or birds can be kept. vb to shut in a cage or prison (cage the rabbits/cage the prisoners). | ||
| Cainophobia | fear of newness or novelty (see list of phobias) | ||
| Cainotophobia | fear of newness or novelty (see list of phobias) | ||
| cake (noun) | 1 a dessert, made from flour, eggs, milk, sugar, etc, that is baked, and usually covered with icing. 2 a small, usually flat amount of dough, or some other food, that is baked or fried. 3 a small, flat lump of something(a cake of soap). | ||
| calamity (noun) | 1 a tragedy (the earthquake was a calamity for the whole area). 2 a serious misfortune (losing his job was a calamity for the family). adj calamitous. | ||
| calcium (noun) | a soft, silver-white metal found in chalk, marble, etc, and the basic part of bones, teeth, and shells. | ||
| calculate (verb) | 1 to work with numbers and mathematics. 2 to estimate (calculate the cost of the repair work). 3 to plan for a purpose (a question calculated to trick us). adj calculable | ||
| calculating (adjective) | 1 scheming, clever, or sly, especially in a selfish way. | ||
| calculation (noun) | 1 the act or process of calculating (the calculation of the cost). 2 a sum (made a mistake in the calculation). | ||
| calculator (noun) | a small electronic machine used to make arithmetical and mathematical calculations. | ||
| calendar | Collective noun for saints (A calendar of saints) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| calendar (noun) | a table showing the relation of the days of the week to the dates of a particular year. | ||
| calf1 (noun) | (pl calves ) the young of the cow, elephant, whale, etc. | ||
| calf2 (pl calves) | the fleshy back part of the leg below the knee. | ||
| calfskin (noun) | a type of leather made from a calf’s skin. | ||
| calico (noun) | 1 a kind of cotton cloth from India. 2 a cat with a coat that is a mix of black, brown, yellow, or orange. | ||
| Caligynephobia | fear of beautiful women (see list of phobias) | ||
| Caliology | study of bird's nests (see list of branches of science) | ||
| call (verb) | 1 to say or read in a loud voice; to shout or announce. 2 to give a name (call her daughter Amy) 3 to ask to come (call the next witness). 4 to make a short visit (call on her mother on her way home). n 1 a cry (a call for help). 2 a short visit. 3 a telephone call. 4 need, demand (there is no call for that brand of coffee in this store). a close call a narrow escape. | ||
| calligraphy (noun) | 1 handwriting as an art. 2 the art of writing well. | ||
| calling (noun) | (formal) 1 profession or employment. 2 an inner urging toward some profession. | ||
| callous (adjective) | hardened, unfeeling, insensitive (a callous treatment of animals). n callousness | ||
| calm (adjective) | 1 quiet, still (a calm day). 2 unexcited, not agitated (remained calm when the building went on fire). n 1 stillness. 2 freedom from excitement (admire her calm during the bomb scare). vb to make calm. n calmness | ||
| calorie (noun) | 1 a measure of heat. 2 a unit for measuring the energy value of food (diet by reducing the number of calories eaten). | ||
| Calorifics | study of heat (see list of branches of science) | ||
| calve (verb) | to give birth to a calf. | ||
| calypso (noun) | songs sung as originally by the native people of Trinidad, with stresses and short, emphasized rhythms. | ||
| cam (noun) | a wheel-like part of a machine that creates a straight movement from a rotating one. | ||
| Cambistry | science of international exchange (see list of branches of science) | ||
| camcorder (noun) | a portable video camera that records pictures and sound. | ||
| camel (noun) | an animal, found in Asian and African deserts, that has a long neck, cushioned feet, and one or two humps on its back. (Arabian camels have one hump, and Bactrian camels have two humps). | ||
| cameo (noun) | 1 a raised carving (usually of the side view of a person’s head) on a gem or shell, with a different color background. 2 a precious stone with a raised design carved on it, often of a different color. 3 a small but important role in a film or play performed by a celebrity. | ||
| camera (noun) | a device for taking photographs or recording images (he has a new digital camera). | ||
| camisole (noun) | a woman’s light undergarment, usually sleeveless and trimmed in lace, worn on the upper part of the body (wear a camisole under a sheer blouse). | ||
| camp (noun) | 1 a place where people live in tents, caravans, huts, etc (a holiday camp/a military camp). 2 a group of tents, caravans, huts, or other kinds of temporary shelter. vb to stay in or set up a camp. | ||
| camp bed (noun) | a folding portable bed. | ||
| campaign (noun) | 1 a battle or series of battles in a war. 2 any series of actions, meetings, etc, directed to one purpose (a campaign to save the school). vb to take part in or conduct a campaign (campaigning against the motorway). | ||
| Campanology | study of bells (see list of branches of science) | ||
| camphor (noun) | a strong-smelling chemical mixture used in protecting fabrics from moths, in making plastics, and in medicine. | ||
| campus (noun) | the grounds of a school or college. | ||
| can’t | contraction a shortened form of cannot. | ||
| can1 (verb) | am, are, or is able to. | ||
| can2 (noun) | a small metal container. vb (canned, canning) to put into tins to preserve (employed to can vegetables). | ||
| canal (noun) | a man-made waterway. | ||
| canary (noun) | a small, yellow bird often kept as a pet. adj bright yellow. | ||
| cancel (verb) | (canceled, canceling) 1 to cross out. 2 to do away with. n cancellation | ||
| cancer (noun) | 1 a harmful, sometimes fatal growth in the body (receive surgery for cancer of the lung). 2 a growing evil (meaningless violence is a cancer in modern society). | ||
| Cancerophobia | fear of cancer (see list of phobias) | ||
| candid (adjective) | very honest or frank in what you say (my candid opinion/a candid person). adv candidly. | ||
| candidate (noun) | 1 someone who seeks a post or position (interview candidates for the job of manager). 2 someone who sits an examination. | ||
| candle | Collective noun for tapirs (A candle of tapirs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| candle (noun) | a mass of formed, shaped wax or tallow containing a wick for lighting (by the light of a candle). | ||
| candlestick (noun) | a holder for a candle. | ||
| candor (noun), | also candour (British spelling) frankness (she spoken with candor about her unhappy childhood). | ||
| candy (noun) | 1 sugar hardened by boiling. 2 any sweet or sweets (a box of candy). vb to preserve by boiling with sugar. | ||
| cane (noun) | 1 a usually bendable, slender, jointed, hollow stem, such as bamboo, sugar cane, etc. 2 a walking stick (an old man leaning on his cane). vb to beat with a cane. | ||
| cane sugar (noun) | sugar obtained from the sugar cane. | ||
| canine (adjective) | having to do with dogs or other animals in the dog family. canine tooth one of the pointed teeth in the front of the mouth. | ||
| canister (noun) | a small box or tin (a canister of tea). | ||
| cannibal (noun) | 1 a person who eats human flesh. 2 an animal that eats the flesh of its own species. n cannibalism | ||
| cannon (noun) | 1 a large, mounted weapon. | ||
| cannonball (noun) | an iron ball fired from a cannon. | ||
| cannot (often shortened to can’t) (verb) | unable to do something (he cannot swim/she can’t sing). | ||
| canoe (noun) | a narrow, light boat moved by paddles. | ||
| canola (noun) | the seeds of a variety of the rape plant, used to make cooking oil. | ||
| canon (noun) | 1 the law or laws of a church. 2 a member of clergy who lives according to the laws in a church. | ||
| canopy (noun) | a hanging cover forming a shelter above a throne, bed, etc (a canopy over the porch to keep out the sunlight). | ||
| cant1 (noun) | 1 a special way of speaking used by a particular group of people (thieves’ cant). 2 meaningless or insincere talk (just political cant). | ||
| cant2 (verb) | to tilt up (the ship began to cant). n a tilt (a table with a definite cant). | ||
| cantaloupe (noun) | a type of melon with sweet orange flesh. | ||
| canteen (noun) | 1 a place where food and drink can be obtained in a camp, factory, office, etc. 2 a small metal or plastic container for use in carrrying water. | ||
| canter (verb) | to gallop at a smooth, easy pace (horses cantering over the meadow). Also n. | ||
| cantor (noun) | someone who leads the singing and prayer in a synagogue. | ||
| canvas (noun) | 1 a coarse cloth of cotton, hemp, or linen, often unbleached, and used for sails, tents, etc. 2 a piece of canvas or similar material for painting on. 3 the sails of a ship. 4 an oil painting (sell a canvas by Picasso). under canvas moved or propelled by sails; sheltered in tents. | ||
| canvass (verb) | 1 to ask for votes or orders (politicians knocking on people’s doors to canvass for votes). 2 to look at or discuss in detail. n canvasser. | ||
| canyon (noun) | a long, narrow valley between cliffs, often with a river or stream flowing through it. | ||
| cap (noun) | 1 a covering for the head with no brim or only part of one (boys wearing school caps). 2 a cover or lid (the cap of a bottle). vb (capped, capping) 1 to put a lid on (cap the bottle). 2 to improve on (cap his opponent’s performance). 3 to impose an upper limit on (cap local government spending). | ||
| capable (adjective) | 1 able to (capable of doing better). 2 likely to (capable of committing violent acts). 3 able to do things well, efficient (a capable manager). n capability | ||
| capacity (noun) | 1 ability to hold or contain (a capacity of 10 gallons/a seating capacity of 2000). 2 ability to produce or perform, experience, etc (a great capacity for hard work). 3 (formal) position (in his capacity as chairman). | ||
| cape1 (noun) | a short cloak for covering the shoulders; a sleeveless cloak. | ||
| cape2 (noun) | a piece of land jutting out into the water (Cape Cod is a popular vacation spot.) | ||
| caper | Collective noun for kids (A caper of kids) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| caper1 (verb) | to jump about playfully (children capering about in excitement). n 1 a jump or leap. 2 a prank, a mischievous act. 3 a robbery. | ||
| caper2 (noun) | a kind of tree or shrub that has tiny, green flower buds that are picked and used to flavor food (fish with a caper sauce). | ||
| capillary (adjective) | very small and thin, hair-like. npl capillaries small blood vessels. | ||
| capital (adjective) | 1 chief (the capital city). 2 punishable by death (a capital offence). 3 (informal) excellent (capital entertainment). n 1 the top of a column or pillar. 2 the chief city. 3 money, especially when used for business (borrow capital from the bank). 4 a large letter, as used first in proper names. | ||
| capital punishment (noun) | punishment by death (in some states, murderers are subjected to capital punishment). | ||
| capitalism (noun) | an economic system where production is privately owned and run to make a profit. | ||
| capitalist (noun) | a wealthy businessman, a person who owns capital. | ||
| caprice (noun) | a sudden desire or fancy, a whim (a caprice made her change her plans). | ||
| capricious (adjective) | changeable, unreasonable (too capricious to be relied on). | ||
| capsize (verb) | to overturn or upset (in the storm, the ship capsized). | ||
| capsule (noun) | 1 a hollow pill containing medicine. 2 the part of a spacecraft containing the instruments and crew. | ||
| captain (noun) | 1 a commander. 2 an officer. 3 a leader (the captain of the football team). Also vb. | ||
| caption (noun) | the heading over (or under) a picture in a book or other printed media. | ||
| captivate (verb) | to charm, to fascinate (captivated by her beauty). | ||
| captive (noun) | a prisoner. Also adj. | ||
| captivity (noun) | the state of being a prisoner. | ||
| captor (noun) | someone who takes a prisoner or holds something or someone captive. | ||
| capture (verb) | 1 to take prisoner, to catch (capture convicts trying to escape). 2 to take control of (capture the castle/capture the imagination). n 1 the act of catching or taking a prisoner. 2 the thing so caught or taken. | ||
| car (noun) | 1 a wheeled vehicle (a tramcar). 2 a motorcar, automobile. 3 a railway carriage (the dining car in the train). | ||
| carafe (noun) | a glass bottle (a carafe of wine). | ||
| caramel (noun) | 1 burnt sugar in cooking (ice cream flavored with caramel). 2 a type of candy made with sugar, milk, ect (chew a caramel). | ||
| carat (noun) | a unit of weight used for jewelry, equal to 200 milligrams. | ||
| caravan (noun) | 1 a large, covered vehicle for passengers, circus animals, etc. 2 a group of people traveling together for safety. | ||
| caraway (noun) | a plant whose seeds are used to flavor cakes, breads, cheese, etc. | ||
| carbohydrate (noun) | the substance in foods that gives you energy. | ||
| carbon (noun) | a natural element, found in coal, charcoal, soot, etc. | ||
| carbon dioxide (noun) | a gas without color or smell that is breathed out by people and animals and absorbed by plants. | ||
| carbon monoxide (noun) | a poisonous gas, without color or smell, produced by the exhaust systems of cars, etc. | ||
| carburetor (noun) | the part of a motor engine in which air is mixed with gasoline, etc, to make a vapor that will burn. | ||
| carcass (noun) | the dead body of an animal (carcasses in a butcher’s shop). | ||
| Carcinology | study of crabs and other crustaceans (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Carcinophobia | fear of cancer (see list of phobias) | ||
| card1 (noun) | a small piece of thick paper or other material for various purposes (birthday cards business cards credit card). | ||
| card2 (verb) | to comb wool or flax before making it into thread. n an instrument for combing wool or flax. n carder | ||
| cardboard (noun) | stiff, thick paper. adj (carboard boxes are very useful when you are moving house). | ||
| cardiac (adjective) | having to do with the heart (cardiac disease). | ||
| cardigan (noun) | a sweater that buttons down the front. | ||
| cardinal (adjective) | very important, principal (a cardinal virtue). n 1 in the Roman Catholic Church, a high-ranking official with the right to take part in the election of the pope. 2 a bright red, crested bird. | ||
| Cardiology | study of the heart (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Cardiophobia | fear of the heart (see list of phobias) | ||
| care (noun) | 1 worry (a life full of care). 2 attention (read the article with care). 3 being looked after (in the care of a social worker). vb 1 to be concerned or interested (I don’t care what you say). 2 to look after (cares for her neighbor’s children). 3 to have a liking or love (for) (still cares for his wife). | ||
| career (noun) | someone’s work or profession in life (a career in law). vb to move at full speed (the car careered downhill out of control). | ||
| careful (adjective) | 1 taking trouble. 2 cautious. adv carefully. | ||
| careless (adjective) | taking little or no trouble. adv carelessly. n carelessness. | ||
| caress (verb) | to touch or stroke lovingly (caressed her cheek). Also n. | ||
| caretaker (noun) | someone who looks after a building or place. | ||
| cargo (noun) | the goods carried by a ship, plane, etc (a cargo of tropical fruit). | ||
| caribou (noun) | the North American reindeer. | ||
| caricature (noun) | a cartoon picture of a person or thing that exaggerates a particular feature to make others laugh. vb to draw a caricature. n caricaturist | ||
| Caricology | study of sedges (see list of branches of science) | ||
| carnage (noun) | widespread killing, slaughter (the carnage of World War I). | ||
| carnal (adjective) | having to do with the body rather than the spirit. | ||
| carnation (noun) | a plant with usually double flowers of white, pink, or red that smell of cloves. | ||
| carnival (noun) | 1 a time of feasting and merriment just before Lent, a Christian time of fasting. 2 a circus or fair (the carnival is in town). | ||
| carnivore (noun) | a flesh-eating animal (lions are carnivores). adj carnivorous | ||
| Carnophobia | fear of meat (see list of phobias) | ||
| carol (noun) | a song of joy, especially one sung at Christmas. vb (caroled, caroling) to sing joyfully. | ||
| carotid (noun) | having to do with the two large arteries in the neck. | ||
| carousal (noun) | (formal) a noisy drinking party. | ||
| carouse (verb) | (formal) to drink freely. | ||
| carousel, carrousel (noun) | a merry-go-round; a rotating conveyor belt. | ||
| carp1 (verb) | to find fault or complain, often unreasonably (carping about petty details). | ||
| carp2 (noun) | a freshwater fish. | ||
| carpenter (noun) | someone who builds and repairs wooden things, especially for houses, ships, etc. n carpentry | ||
| carpet (noun) | 1 a thick covering of wool or other material for a floor. 2 a covering (a carpet of leaves). on the carpet being reproved by someone in authority for misconduct. vb 1 to cover with a carpet (carpeted the stairs). 2 to cover (snow carpeting the fields). 3 (informal) to scold, to reprimand (carpet him for being late). | ||
| carpetbag (noun) | an old-fashioned traveling bag made of carpeting. | ||
| Carpology | study of fruit (see list of branches of science) | ||
| carriage (noun) | 1 act of carrying. 2 the price of carrying (carriage extra). 3 the way someone stands or moves (she has a noble carriage). 4 a cart with wheels or other passenger vehicle (a horse-drawn carriage). | ||
| carrier (noun) | 1 someone who carries or transports goods. 2 anyone or anything that carries (a carrier of disease). | ||
| carrier pigeon (noun) | a pigeon used for carrying letters. | ||
| carrion (noun) | rotten flesh (vultures feeding on carrion). | ||
| carrot (noun) | an orange-red root vegetable. | ||
| carry (verb) | 1 to take from one place to another (carry chairs from the van to the hall). 2 to go from one place to another (the sound of his voice carried tothe next room). 3 to have or hold (carry great responsibility/carry a whole range of goods). carry on 1 to continue to do (carry on speaking). 2 to behave badly or in an uncontrolled manner. carry out to perform (carry out the operation). | ||
| cart (noun) | a two-wheeled vehicle or wagon for carrying goods. vb to carry by cart (cart the rubbish to the dump). n carter | ||
| cartilage (noun) | an elastic substance surrounding the joints of bones. | ||
| Cartography | study of making maps and globes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| cartography (noun) | the art of mapmaking. n cartographer | ||
| carton (noun) | a cardboard box (a carton of milk). | ||
| cartoon (noun) | 1 a comic drawing. 2 an animated drawing. n cartoonist | ||
| cartridge (noun) | 1 the container for the explosive that fires the bullet or shell from a gun. 2 any small container that carries a substance for a larger device (the ink cartridge for our printer is empty). | ||
| carve (verb) | 1 to cut into a special shape (carve a piece of wood into the shape of an animal). 2 to make by cutting wood or stone (carve animals out of stone). 3 to cut into slices (carve the meat). | ||
| carver (noun) | 1 someone who carves. 2 a carving knife. | ||
| cascade (noun) | 1 a waterfall. 2 something like a waterfall (a cascade of hair down her back). vb to fall or drop in a cascade. | ||
| case1 (noun) | 1 a box or container (a watch in a case a bookcase). | ||
| case2 | 1 an event, instance, or example (in that case you must go now a case of measles/a case of blackmail). 2 a person having medical, etc, treatment (a psychiatric case). 3 a statement of facts and arguments or reasons (there’s a good case for believing him). 4 a question to be decided in a court of law, a lawsuit. | ||
| cash (noun) | 1 coins or paper money, not checks or credit cards, etc. 2 immediate payment rather than by credit (a discount for paying cash). 3 (informal) money generally (make a lot of cash). vb to turn into money (cash traveler’s checks). | ||
| cashier (noun) | someone who has charge of money in a store or a bank. vb to dismiss (an officer from the army, navy, etc) in disgrace. | ||
| cashmere (noun) | a fine, soft, woolen material. | ||
| casino (noun) | a hall for dancing or gambling. | ||
| cask (noun) | a barrel. | ||
| casket (noun) | 1 a jewel case. 2 a coffin, or box in which a dead body is buried. | ||
| casserole (noun) | 1 a glass or earthenware dish in which food can be cooked in an oven and then served at table. 2 the food so prepared (a beef casserole). | ||
| cassette (noun) | a flat plastic case containing tape for recording or playing back sounds or pictures. | ||
| cassock (noun) | a long, closefitting robe worn by clergymen and those taking part in services. | ||
| cast | Collective noun for actors (A cast of actors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cast | Collective noun for falcons (A cast of falcons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cast | Collective noun for hawks (A cast of hawks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cast | Collective noun for merlins (A cast of merlins) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cast | Collective noun for orthopaedists (A cast of orthopaedists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cast (verb) | (pt, pp cast) 1 to throw (cast a pebble in the pool). 2 to throw off (snakes casting their skins). 3 to shape (melted metal) in a mould. 4 to give parts to actors in (cast his new play). n 1 a throw. 2 a squint (in the eye). 3 a model made in a mould. 4 the actors in a play. | ||
| cast iron (noun) | iron that has been melted and shaped in a mould. adj very strong. | ||
| castaway (noun) | a shipwrecked person. | ||
| caste (noun) | in India, the social class or rank into which someone is born. | ||
| caster (noun), | also castor 1 a small jar or bottle with holes in the top for sprinkling salt, sugar, etc. 2 a small wheel on a piece of furniture, making it easy to move (a wardrobe on casters). | ||
| castigate (verb) | (formal) to scold or criticize severely (employees castigated for arriving late). n castigation | ||
| castle (noun) | 1 a large building, usually one strengthened against attack (Windsor Castle). 2 a piece in chess. castles in the air a daydream. | ||
| casual (adjective) | 1 happening by chance (find out from a casual remark). 2 not regular (casual work in the summer). 3 uninterested (casual attitude to his work). 4 not careful, not thorough (take a casual glance at the page). 5 informal (casual clothes). adv casually. | ||
| casualty (noun) | 1 an accident, especially a fatal one (there’s been a casualty at the mine). 2 an injured or wounded person (no casualties in the train accident). 3 something that is damaged or destroyed as a result of an event (the library is a casualty of spending cuts). | ||
| cat (noun) | 1 an animal with soft fur and sharp claws, commonly kept as a pet. 2 a family of meat-eating animals. (lions are members of the cat family). | ||
| CAT scan | (CAT acronym for computerized axial tomography) n a series of X-rays that create a three-dimensional image of the body (a CAT scan of the chest area). | ||
| catacomb (noun) | an underground tomb. | ||
| Catacoustics | study of echoes or reflected sounds (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Catagelophobia | fear of being ridiculed (see list of phobias) | ||
| Catallactics | study of commercial exchange (see list of branches of science) | ||
| catalog (noun), | also catalogue (British spelling) a complete list arranged in a special order so that the items can be found easily (she searched the catalog of the books in the library). vb to make a list (cataloging the books according to the alphabetical order of the authors’ last names). | ||
| catalogue | Collective noun for librarians (A catalogue of librarians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| catalyst (noun) | 1 a substance that aids a chemical reaction but is not itself changed. 2 something or someone that causes a change in a situation or has a marked effect on the course of events (World War I was a catalyst for social change). | ||
| catamaran (noun) | a sailing boat made in long, narrow parts joined by a bridge. | ||
| Catapedaphobia | fear of jumping from high and low places (see list of phobias) | ||
| catapult (noun) | a machine used for hurling heavy stones in war. | ||
| cataract (noun) | 1 a large waterfall. 2 a disease of the eye, causing gradual loss of sight. | ||
| catastrophe (noun) | a sudden, great disaster (the flood was a catastrophe for the whole area). adj catastrophic | ||
| catch | Collective noun for anglers (A catch of anglers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| catch | Collective noun for collective nouns (A catch of collective nouns) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| catch (verb) | (pt, pp caught ) 1 to take and hold (catch the ball). 2 to capture (catch the remaining prisoners). 3 to become accidentally attached or held (her skirt caught on the door handle). 4 to surprise in the act of (catch him stealing). 5 to succeed in hearing (catch what he said). 6 to get by infection (catch measles from his sister). 7 to be in time for, to get on (catch the first bus in the morning). n 1 the act of catching. 2 the number of fish caught at one time. 3 a fastener (a gate catch). 4 a snag (a catch in the plan). 5 a song in which the same words and tune are repeated by several singers starting at different times. | ||
| catchy (adjective) | memorable (a catchy tune). | ||
| categorical (adjective) | definite (give a categorical denial). adv categorically. | ||
| category (noun) | a class or group of things in a system of grouping (various categories in the dog-judging competition/books in categories of fiction, nonfiction, and reference). | ||
| cater (verb) | 1 to supply with food and drinks, especially at social occasions (the restaurant catering for the wedding reception). 2 to provide what is needed or desired (cater for a wide range of tastes). n caterer. | ||
| caterpillar (noun) | the worm-like larvae of insects such as the butterfly or moth. | ||
| cathedral (noun) | the main church in a district in which a bishop has his throne. | ||
| Cathisophobia | fear of sitting (see list of phobias) | ||
| catholic (adjective) | wide-ranging, broad, including many different things (a catholic taste in reading). n catholicity | ||
| Catholic (noun) | a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Also adj. | ||
| catkin (noun) | the furry blossom of the willow, hazel, etc. | ||
| Catoptrophobia | fear of mirrors (see list of phobias) | ||
| cattle (noun) | (functions as pl) cows, bulls, and oxen. | ||
| caucus (noun) | a private meeting of leaders of a political party to decide policy, choose candidates, etc. (the presidential candidate was decided at the caucus). | ||
| caught | past tense of catch. | ||
| cauldron (noun) | a large boiling pot (the witch’s cauldron). | ||
| cauliflower (noun) | a type of cabbage, of which the white, fleshy flower is eaten as a vegetable. | ||
| cause (noun) | 1 something or someone that produces an effect or result (an electrical fault was the cause of the fire little cause for complaint). 3 a purpose, aim (in the cause of peace). vb to make happen. | ||
| causeway (noun) | 1 a road or path raised on a mound above the surrounding country, as over wet ground or water. 2 a paved road. | ||
| caustic (adjective) | 1 burning (a caustic chemical substance). 2 bitter, severe (caustic remarks). adv caustically. | ||
| caution (noun) | 1 carefulness, especially to avoid risk or danger (cross the busy road with caution). 2 warning (receive a caution from the police to stop speeding). vb 1 to warn against possible danger (caution children against talking to strangers). 2 to give a warning to, often with the threat of future punishment (this time the police just cautioned him for careless driving). | ||
| cautious (adjective) | careful, showing caution (a cautious driver/cautious about spending a lot of money). | ||
| cavalcade | Collective noun for horsemen (A cavalcade of horsemen) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cavalcade (noun) | a procession (the president travels with a cavalcade of cars) (originally, of people on horseback). | ||
| cavalier (noun) | an armed horseman. adj offhand, casual, and disrespectful (a cavalier disregard for other people’s feelings). adv cavalierly | ||
| cavalry (noun) | originally soldiers on horses, but now often riding in armored trucks or tanks. | ||
| cave (noun) | a hollow place in the earth, as in a hillside extending back. cave in to fall in over a hollow. | ||
| cave man (noun) | 1 (old) a human who, in the earliest times, lived in a cave. 2 a man with very rough manners, especially toward women. | ||
| cavern (noun) | a large cave. vb to hollow out. | ||
| cavernous (adjective) | large and hollow, like a cavern (the lion opened its cavernous mouth). | ||
| caviar(e) (noun) | the eggs of sturgeon, salmon, and similar fish eaten as a delicacy. | ||
| cavity (noun) | 1 a hollow place. 2 a hole (a cavity in his tooth). | ||
| cayenne (noun) | a very hot red pepper. | ||
| CCTV | abbreviation for closed circuit television, a type of surveillance camera system (the thieves were seen on CCTV robbing the jeweler’s shop). | ||
| CD | abbreviation for compact disk, also compact disc (British spelling) a small, mirrored, plastic disk that stores music, images, or files that are read optically by a laser beam. | ||
| CD-ROM | abbreviation for compact disk read-only memory, a disk that holds files that can be read by a computer but that cannot be altered. | ||
| cease (verb) | 1 to stop (soldiers were ordered to cease firing/the factory has ceased making weapons). 2 to come to an end (the noise finally ceased). | ||
| ceaseless (adjective) | endless, continuous (ceaseless chatter). | ||
| cedar (noun) | 1 a large, cone-bearing tree or its wood. | ||
| ceiling (noun) | 1 the inside roof of a room. 2 the greatest height to which a particular aircraft can climb. 3 an upper limit (a wages ceiling of 3%). | ||
| celebrate (verb) | 1 to perform a religious ceremony. 2 to honor an event by feasting and rejoicing (celebrate her birthday). n celebration | ||
| celebrated (adjective) | famous (the celebrated artist). | ||
| celebrity (noun) | a famous person (the new hall was opened by a local celebrity). | ||
| celery (noun) | a kind of vegetable, of which the green stem is eaten either cooked or raw. | ||
| celestial (adjective) | 1 heavenly (celestial beings such as angels). 2 having to do with the sky (celestial bodies such as planets). | ||
| Celestial mechanics | study of motion of objects in outer space (see list of branches of science) | ||
| celibacy (noun) | the state of being unmarried, not having sexual relationships. | ||
| celibate (adjective) | unmarried, not having sexual relationships (Catholic priests must remain celibate). | ||
| cell (noun) | 1 a small, bare room, especially in a prison or monastery. 2 a space in a honeycomb. 3 a single unit of living matter (red blood cells). 4 a unit of an electric battery. 5 a small group of people working toward the same end (a terrorist cell). | ||
| Cell biology | study of the different structures and functions of both eukaryote and prokaryote cells (see list of branches of science) | ||
| cellar (noun) | an area underneath a house, often used for storage. | ||
| cello | (short for violoncello) a musical instrument of the violin family, between the viola and bass in size and pitch. n cellist. | ||
| cellophane (noun) | a thin, transparent wrapping material (wrap the flowers in cellophane). | ||
| cellphone (noun) | (short for cellular telephone) a portable phone operated by a radio communication system based on a network of transmitters each serving a small area known as a cell. Also mobile phone. | ||
| cellular (adjective) | having cells, made up of cells (cellular tissue/cellular radio). | ||
| cellulose (noun) | a substance obtained from wood or plants and used in making paper, imitation silk, film, etc. | ||
| Celsius (adjective) | a way of measuring temperature so that 0 degrees is the freezing point of water and 100 degrees is the boiling point. | ||
| cement (noun) | a powdered substance that, mixed with liquid, forms a solid material used to make things stick together (bricks stuck together with cement). vb 1 to join with cement. 2 to unite closely (cement their relationship by marrying). | ||
| cemetery (noun) | a burial ground, a graveyard. | ||
| Cenophobia | fear of new things or ideas (see list of phobias) | ||
| Cenotophobia | fear of voids, empty rooms, barren spaces (see list of phobias) | ||
| censer (noun) | a décorated container in which incense is burned. | ||
| censor (noun) | someone who examines letters, books, films, etc, to see if they contain anything inappropriate, offensive, or harmful to society (censors removed anything offensive in the film). Also vb. n censorship adj censorious | ||
| census (noun) | 1 an official counting of a country’s population. 2 an official counting of other things (take a traffic census on the new highway). | ||
| cent (noun) | a coin that is worth one-hundredth of a dollar, euro, etc; a penny. | ||
| centaur (noun) | in Greek myths, an imaginary creature that is half man and half horse. | ||
| centenarian (noun) | a person at least 100 years old. | ||
| centenary (noun) | the 100th year after a certain event (the centenary of the opening of the school). | ||
| centennial (adjective) | happening once every 100 years. | ||
| center (noun), | also centre (British spelling) 1 the middle point or part of anything (the center of the circle/the center of the town). 2 a place where certain activities or facilities are concentrated (a shopping center). 3 a political position that is not extreme (people in the center of the party). vb 1 to put into the middle (centered the picture on the wall). 2 to collect or concentrate at or around (interests centering on sport). | ||
| centimeter (noun) | 100th of a meter. abbreviation cm. | ||
| centipede (noun) | a small, insect-eating, caterpillar-like animal with a segmented body and many feet. | ||
| Centophobia | fear of new things or ideas. (see list of phobias) | ||
| central (adjective) | 1 in the middle (the central barrier in a highway). 2 chief (the central character in the novel). | ||
| centralize (verb), also centralise (British spelling) | to bring together to one place (regions object to government being centralized). n centralization also centralisation (British spelling) | ||
| centrifugal (adjective) | describing a physical force that causes an object that is rotating around a central point to move away from that point. | ||
| centripetal (adjective) | describing a physical force that pulls something toward the centre point it is rotating around. | ||
| centurion (noun) | (old) the captain of a hundred men, especially in an ancient Roman army. | ||
| century (noun) | one hundred years. | ||
| ceramic (adjective) | having to do with pottery, earthenware, tile, etc. | ||
| ceramics (noun) | the art or work of making pottery, earthenware, tile, etc. | ||
| Ceraunophobia | fear of thunder and lightning (see list of phobias) | ||
| cereal (noun) | 1 any grain that can be eaten (wheat and barley are cereals). 2 food made from such grain, often eaten at breakfast. | ||
| cerebral (adjective) | 1 having to do with the brain (a cerebral tumor). 2 intellectual rather than emotional (cerebral poetry). | ||
| ceremonial (noun) | the actions connected with a ceremony. adj having to do with a ceremony. | ||
| ceremonious (adjective) | full of ceremony, very formal (ceremonious events). | ||
| ceremony (noun) | 1 the performing of certain actions in a fixed order for a religious or other serious purpose (a wedding ceremony). 2 formal behavior, formality (an occasion of great ceremony). | ||
| certain (adjective) | 1 sure (a certain victory). 2 particular (certain people). | ||
| certainly (adverb) | 1 undoubtedly. 2 willingly. | ||
| certainty (noun) | 1 the state of being certain or sure (I can say with certainty that he will succeed). 2 that which is certain (it’s a certainty that they will win). | ||
| certificate (noun) | a written statement of fact (birth certificate/a certificate of insurance). | ||
| certify (verb) | 1 to confirm formally the truth of a statement (certify that he is the owner of the car). 2 officially to declare a person crazy (the patient was certified and sent to a mental hospital). | ||
| cete | Collective noun for badgers (A cete of badgers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Cetology | study of whales and dolphins (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Chaetophobia | fear of hair (see list of phobias) | ||
| chafe (verb) | 1 to warm by rubbing. 2 to make sore or wear away by rubbing. 3 to be angry. | ||
| chain | Collective noun for bobolinks (A chain of bobolinks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| chain | Collective noun for events (A chain of events) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| chain | Collective noun for islands (A chain of islands) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| chain | Collective noun for lynx (A chain of lynx) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| chain | Collective noun for surveyors (A chain of surveyors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| chain (noun) | 1 a number of metal rings joined to form a rope (the dog was fastened to the fence by a chain a silver chain around her neck). 2 a number of connected facts or events, a series (a chain of events). 3 a measure of length. 4 (of mountains) a range. vb to bind or fasten with a chain (chain the dog to the fence). | ||
| chair (noun) | 1 a movable seat with a back. 2 chairperson. 3 the seat or place of an official (e.g. of a professor in a university or a person controling a meeting). vb to be in charge of a meeting (chairing the annual general meeting). | ||
| chairman, chairperson, chairwoman (noun) | someone who controls a meeting. | ||
| chalet (noun) | a wooden house or hut with a steeply sloping roof, common in Switzerland. | ||
| chalice (noun) | 1 (old) a drinking cup. 2 a cup with a stem, especially used in church services. | ||
| chalk (noun) | 1 a soft, white limestone. 2 a piece of chalk used for writing on a blackboard. vb to mark with chalk. adj chalky. | ||
| chalk board (noun) | a smooth black or slate surface, usually in a classroom, which can be written on with chalk. | ||
| challenge (verb) | 1 to call on another to fight or play a match to see who is the better (challenge him to a duel challenge his right to be present). n 1 the daring of another to a contest. 2 a statement or action that questions something (a challenge to the leader’s authority). 3 a difficult or exciting task (his new job is a challenge). n challenger. | ||
| chamber (noun) | 1 (old) a room. 2 a room in which a meeting takes place (the judge asked the lawyers to meet in his chamber). 3 an administrative group (the Chamber of Commerce). 4 the part of a gun in which the cartridge is held. | ||
| chamber music (noun) | music written to be played by only a few people (such as a quartet) for a small audience, as in a room rather than a hall. | ||
| chameleon (noun) | a type of lizard that can change the color of its skin. | ||
| champ (verb) | to chew noisily with the teeth (horses champing hay). vb short for champion. | ||
| champagne (noun) | a type of sparkling white wine. | ||
| champion (noun) | 1 someone who has beaten all his or her rivals or opponents (the club tennis champion). 2 someone who fights for a certain cause, or for another person (a champion of animal rights). vb to defend or support (champion the cause of freedom). | ||
| championship (noun) | 1 a series of contests or matches to discover the champion. 2 the state of being a champion. | ||
| chance (noun) | 1 accident (we met by chance). 2 opportunity (the chance to get a better job). 3 risk (take a chance and try to escape). vb 1 (formal) to happen (I chanced to see him yesterday). 2 to risk (it may rain on our picnic but we’ll just have to chance it). adj accidental (a chance meeting). | ||
| chancel (noun) | the altar end of a church. | ||
| chancellor (noun) | 1 a country’s leader or high government official (Angela Merkel is the first ever female Chancellor of Germany). 2 the chief judge of England. 3 the head of a university. Chancellor of the Exchequer in Britain, the chief minister of finance in the government. | ||
| chandelier (noun) | a hanging lamp frame with branches to hold lights (formerly candles). | ||
| change (verb) | 1 to become different (her lifestyle has changed change your clothes). 3 to put or take one thing in place of another, to exchange (change your library books). n 1 a difference or alteration (see a change in her/a change in the direction of the wind). 2 money given in return for money received (given the wrong change by the shop assistant). 3 small coin (I have only a $10 bill—I have no change). adj changeable, changeless. | ||
| changeling (noun) | (myth) a child put by fairies in the place of another, as told in folk tales. | ||
| channel (noun) | 1 the course of a river. 2 the deep part of a river where ships can sail safely. 3 a narrow sea. | ||
| chant (verb) | 1 to sing. 2 to recite slowly in a singing voice. n 1 a song. 2 a way of singing sacred music. | ||
| Chaology | study of chaos or chaos theory (see list of branches of science) | ||
| chaos (noun) | a state of utter confusion, disorder (the chaos in the room during the children’s party). | ||
| chaotic (adjective) | completely without order or arrangement (chaotic traffic conditions in the snow). | ||
| chap1 (verb) | (chapped, chapping) (of skin) to become dry and cracked (hands chapped by the cold). n a crack in the skin, caused by cold and wet. adj chapped | ||
| chap2 (noun) | (informal) a man, a fellow (a friendly chap). | ||
| chapel (noun) | a small church. | ||
| chaperone (noun) | 1 especially formerly, an older person, usually a woman, who accompanies young unmarried people when they goes out. 2 a person who supervises young people on an outing (the chaperon of the Sunday-school group). vb to act as chaperon to. | ||
| chaplain (noun) | 1 a clergyman serving a private chapel. 2 a clergyman with the armed forces. | ||
| chaps (noun, plural) | protective leather leggings worn by people riding on horseback. | ||
| chapter (noun) | 1 a division of a book. 2 a meeting of the canons of a cathedral. | ||
| char (verb) | (charred, charring) 1 to burn in part (furniture charred in the fire). 2 to burn the outside (char the steak). | ||
| character (noun) | 1 a letter or figure or, as in Chinese, a symbol standing for a whole word. 2 a person’s nature as known by words, deeds, etc. 3 a reputation (not of very good character). 4 a person in a story or play (the chief characters in the novel). 5 (informal) an odd, humorous, or interesting person (he’s quite a character). 6 (informal) a person (a nasty character). | ||
| characteristic (noun) | a single point in a person’s character, a special and recognizable quality in someone or something (generosity is not one of his characteristics/a characteristic of the disease). adj typical (signs characteristic of the disease). | ||
| characterize (verb), also characterise (British spelling) | 1 to be characteristic or typical of. 2 (formal) to describe as (characterize the terrorist attack as a bid for freedom). | ||
| Characterology | study of development of character (see list of branches of science) | ||
| charade (noun) | 1 the acting out of a word in the game of charades. 2 something that is easily seen to be false (the trial was just a charade as they had decided he was guilty). | ||
| charades (noun) | a word game in which one team acts out a word while the other team has to guess what the word is. | ||
| charcoal (noun) | partly burned wood used as fuel (steak grilled over charcoal). | ||
| charge | Collective noun for curates (A charge of curates) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| charge | Collective noun for taxis (A charge of taxis) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| charge (verb) | 1 to ask a price (charge $6 a ticket). 2 to accuse (charge him with murdering his brother). 3 to rush (children charging into the room). 4 to attack at speed (charge the enemy). 5 to fill with electricity or energy (charge the battery). 6 to tell a person to do something as a duty (charge them with getting the groom to the church). n 1 a load of electricity or energy. 2 a price (the hotel’s expensive charge). 3 a duty, especially that of a clergyman. 4 a violent attack. 5 an accusation (bring a charge of murder). adj chargeable. take charge to take command, take control. | ||
| chariot (noun) | (old) a horse-drawn, two-wheeled cart used in ancient times for war, racing, parades, etc. | ||
| charioteer (noun) | (old) the driver of a chariot. | ||
| charity (noun) | 1 a love of other human beings. 2 kindness to others. 3 generosity in giving to the poor. 4 an organization that raises money to help people in need or other good causes (collecting money in aid of a children’s charity). adj charitable | ||
| charlatan (noun) | someone who deceives by pretending to have special knowledge or skill (the supposed doctor was a charlatan). | ||
| charm | Collective noun for finches (A charm of finches) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| charm | Collective noun for goldfinches (A charm of goldfinches) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| charm | Collective noun for hummingbirds (A charm of hummingbirds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| charm | Collective noun for words (A charm of words) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| charm (noun) | 1 a magic spell (the witch reciting a charm). 2 an object or words possessing magical power (wear a charm). 3 any small ornament worn as decoration on a necklace, bracelet, or other jewelry (one of the charms on her bracelet was of a flower). 4 attractiveness of character, a pleasant quality (succeeded in deceiving people because of her great charm). 5 pl (formal) beauty (use her charms to get her way). vb 1 to put under a spell (charmed by the wizard). 2 to delight (charmed by her personality). | ||
| chart (noun) | 1 a map, especially one for sailors. 2 a paper showing information in a graph or table (a chart showing production progress). | ||
| charter (noun) | a written document granting certain rights. vb to hire (charter a boat). | ||
| chase1 (verb) | 1 to run after (chase the man who stole the old lady’s bag). 2 to drive away (chase away the boys who were stealing the apples). n a pursuit, a hunt. | ||
| chase2 (verb) | 1 to engrave or cut figures on metal. 2 n a groove cut into a wall to provide space for a pipe. | ||
| chasm (noun) | 1 a wide, deep crack in the surface of the earth, a gorge, a canyon. 2 a wide gap or difference of opinion, attitudes, feelings, etc (the chasm between the two families). | ||
| chaste (adjective) | pure, decent, or modest in nature. | ||
| chasten (verb) | to teach by suffering or punishment (chastened by the thought that he had caused his brother’s death). | ||
| chastise (verb) | to punish severely, especially by beating. n chastisement | ||
| chastity (noun) | purity, the state of being chaste. | ||
| chat (verb) | (chatted, chatting) to talk informally, often about unimportant matters (chat on the phone to her friend). n a friendly talk. | ||
| chat room (noun) | an Internet website that allows several members to send each other typed instant messages. | ||
| château (noun) | (pl châteaux) a French castle or country house. | ||
| chattel (noun) | 1 pl movable belongings, someone’s possessions. 2 a slave or slaves. | ||
| chatter (verb) | 1 to talk quickly and continuously, usually about something unimportant (children chattering when the teacher was out of the room). 2 to make meaningless sounds (monkeys chattering). Also n. n chatterer. | ||
| chatterbox (noun) | one who chatters a great deal. | ||
| chattering | Collective noun for choughs (A chattering of choughs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| chattering | Collective noun for cockatoos (A chattering of cockatoos) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| chattering | Collective noun for coughs (A chattering of coughs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| chauffeur (noun) | a person employed to drive someone’s car. Also vb. | ||
| chauvinism (noun) | too great a pride in one’s country, race, sex, ect, leading to a dislike or mistreatment of others. n chauvinist | ||
| cheap (adjective) | 1 of a low price. 2 of little value. | ||
| cheapen (verb) | to lessen the price or value of. | ||
| cheat (verb) | to deceive, to use unfair means. n 1 a trick. 2 a swindler. | ||
| check (verb) | 1 to stop. 2 to slow down. 3 to scold. 4 to look at something to see if it is correct or in order. n 1 a sudden halt or obstacle. 2 a control. 3 a bill at a restaurant or bar. 4 a slip of paper with a person’s bank details on it used as payment; a written order to a bank to pay out a sum of money from one’s bank account (Br cheque). adj checked divided into or marked by squares. | ||
| checkers (noun, plural) | a game that is played between two people using 12 round, flat pieces on a board divided into checks, the objective being to capture the other player’s pieces. | ||
| checkmate (noun) | the winning move in chess. vb to defeat another’s plans. | ||
| cheddar (noun) | a variety of cheese. | ||
| cheek (noun) | the side of the face (kiss her on the cheek). | ||
| cheeky (adjective) | impudent, disrespectful. | ||
| cheep (noun) | a faint squeak, a chirp (the cheep of a young bird). Also vb. | ||
| cheer (noun) | 1 (old) mood, disposition (be of good cheer). 2 a shout of joy or encouragement (the cheers of the football supporters). vb 1 to brighten up (cheered him up by taking him to the movies/cheer the room up with some new curtains). 2 to encourage, especially by shouts (cheering on their football team). | ||
| cheerful (adjective) | 1 happy and lively (a cheerful person/a cheerful mood). 2 bright and attractive (cheerful colors). | ||
| cheerless (adjective) | sad, gloomy (a cheerless room). | ||
| cheese (noun) | a solid food made from milk. | ||
| cheetah (noun) | a large, wild animal of the cat family that is lean and fast and has a coat with black spots on it. | ||
| chef (noun) | a cook in charge of a kitchen. | ||
| Cheimaphobia | fear of cold (see list of phobias) | ||
| Cheimatophobia | fear of cold (see list of phobias) | ||
| chemical (adjective) | having to do with chemistry. n a substance studied in chemistry. | ||
| chemist (noun) | someone who studies or works in chemistry. | ||
| Chemistry | study of properties and behaviours of substances (see list of branches of science) | ||
| chemistry (noun) | the science that separates and studies the substance(s) of which all things are made. | ||
| Chemophobia | fear of chemicals (see list of phobias) | ||
| cherish (verb) | 1 to treat lovingly, to hold dear (cherish his only daughter). 2 to keep in the mind or heart (cherish hopes of becoming wealthy/cherish her memory). | ||
| Cherophobia | fear of happiness or gaiety (see list of phobias) | ||
| cherry (noun) | 1 a small, pitted fruit. 2 a tree bearing cherries. | ||
| cherub (noun) | (pl cherubs or cherubim) 1 an angel. 2 in art, an angel pictured as a winged child. 3 a beautiful, innocent-looking child (she looked like an angel in her little white dress). | ||
| cherubic (adjective) | angelic. | ||
| chess (noun) | a game of skill played on a checkered board by two people with sixteen chessmen that are limited in their movements according to kind, the object being to capture the king (the chess match was shown on television). | ||
| chessmen (noun) | game pieces used in chess, including a king, a queen, two rooks (or castles), two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns. | ||
| chest | Collective noun for drawers (A chest of drawers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| chest (noun) | 1 a large, strong box. 2 the front, upper part of the body, from the shoulders to the lowest ribs. | ||
| chestnut (noun) | 1 a nut. 2 a tree bearing chestnuts. 3 a reddish brown horse (the horse that won the race was a chestnut mare). adj reddish brown. | ||
| chevron (noun) | a V-shaped strip of cloth worn on the sleeve as a sign of rank in the military. | ||
| chew (verb) | to crush with the teeth (his tooth was so sore he could hardly chew his food). | ||
| chic (adjective) | smart, fashionable (she bought all her dresses at a chic dress shop). | ||
| Chicana (noun) | a Mexican American woman. | ||
| chicanery (noun) | trickery (persuaded the old lady to leave him her money by chicanery). | ||
| Chicano (noun) | a Mexican American man. | ||
| chick (noun) | a young bird. | ||
| chick pea (noun) | a large kind of pea. | ||
| chicken (noun) | 1 a farm bird raised for its eggs and meat. 2 a person who is afraid, not brave, timid. | ||
| chickenpox (noun) | a disease involving fever and red itchy spots, usually affecting children. | ||
| chicory (noun) | a plant used in salads or in cooking, also sometimes mixed with coffee. | ||
| chide (verb) | to scold (chiding the children for talking in class). | ||
| chief (adjective) | 1 highest in rank (the chief clerk). 2 most important, main (the chief crops of the country). n a head, a leader (the chief of the tribe was a tall, imposing man). adv chiefly. | ||
| chieftain (noun) | a chief, the head of a clan or tribe. | ||
| chiffon (noun) | a thin, silky cloth. | ||
| chigger (noun) | a tiny parasitic insect that can cause a rash on the skin. | ||
| child (noun) | (pl children ) 1 a young boy or girl, an adolescent (I have lived here since I was a child). 2 a son or daughter (they have two children). n childhood | ||
| child-care (noun) | the care of children, especially by people other than the parents, when they are at work (most of her salary goes to pay for child-care). | ||
| childish (adjective) | 1 like a child (childish voices). 2 silly, immature (their childish behavior in not speaking to their neighbors). | ||
| children | young boys and/or girls | ||
| chili (noun), also chilli | (pl chilies, also chillies) the small red or green seed pod of a type of hot pepper, used in cooking to flavor spicy food. | ||
| chill (noun) | 1 coldness (a chill in the air). 2 coldness of manner, unfriendliness. vb 1 to make cold (children were chilled after their walk in the snow). 2 to make cold without freezing (chill the wine). 3 to discourage (chill their hopes). adj cold (a chill wind). | ||
| chilly (adjective) | 1 cold (a chilly day). 2 unfriendly (a chilly welcome). | ||
| chime | Collective noun for ice cream carts (A chime of ice cream carts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| chime (noun) | 1 the sound of a bell. 2 the music of bells. 3 pl a set of bells. vb to ring musically. chime in to agree. | ||
| chimney (noun) | a passage by which smoke may escape from a fireplace. | ||
| chimney pot (noun) | a pipe at the top of a chimney. | ||
| chimney sweep (noun) | someone who cleans chimneys. | ||
| chimpanzee (noun) | a type of ape found in Africa with black fur and large ears. | ||
| china (noun) | 1 a fine, thin porcelain or ceramic ware. 2 cups, plates, ornaments, etc, made of this. | ||
| chinchilla (noun) | 1 a small rodent valued for its fur. 2 the fur from this animal. | ||
| chine | Collective noun for polecats (A chine of polecats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| chink (noun) | 1 a very narrow opening (peer through a chink in the door). 2 a ringing or jingling sound (the chink of money in his pockets). vb to jingle. | ||
| chintz (noun) | a gaily patterned cotton material that is usually glazed. | ||
| Chionology | study of snow (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Chionophobia | fear of snow (see list of phobias) | ||
| chip (noun) | a small piece (wood chips). 2 a counter or token used in games. vb (chipped, chipping) 1 to cut into small pieces (chip some ice from a large block). 2 to break small pieces from, often accidentally (will this paint chip?). | ||
| chipmunk (noun) | a type of small squirrel with black stripes down its head and back, living mainly in the ground and found in North America. | ||
| Chiraptophobia | fear of being touched (see list of phobias) | ||
| Chirography | study of handwriting or penmanship (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Chirology | study of the hands (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Chirophobia | fear of hands (see list of phobias) | ||
| Chiropody | study of feet (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Chiroptophobia | fear of bats (see list of phobias) | ||
| chirp (verb) | to make a short, sharp whistling sound (birds chirping). Also n. | ||
| chisel (noun) | a tool used for cutting or chipping wood, stone, etc. vb (chiseled , chiseling ), also chiselled, chiselling (British spelling) | ||
| chivalry (noun) | 1 (old) the rules of good behavior laid down for knights in the Middle Ages; gentlemanly behavior. 2 good manners, especially toward women. adj chivalric , chivalrous | ||
| chloride (noun) | a mixture of chlorine with another substance. | ||
| chlorine (noun) | a chemical used as a bleaching agent. | ||
| chlorophyll (noun) | the green coloring of plants. | ||
| chocolate (noun) | a paste, powder, syrup, or bar made from cacao seeds that have been roasted and ground; a kind of candy bar. adj chocolate-colored, i.e. reddish brown. | ||
| choice (noun) | 1 act of choosing (he left his job by choice). 2 that which is chosen (like their choice of song/Italy was her first choice). adj very good, excellent (choice fruit). | ||
| choir | Collective noun for singers (A choir of singers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| choir (noun) | 1 a group of singers. 2 the part of a church where the choir sits. | ||
| choke (verb) | 1 to be unable to breathe (people choking in the fumes from the fire). 2 to prevent breathing by pressing the windpipe. 3 to block up (the man in the restaurant was choking on a piece of food). n 1 a fit of choking or its sound. 2 a part that controls the flow of air in a carburetor. | ||
| cholera (noun) | a serious stomach illness. | ||
| Cholerophobia | fear of anger (see list of phobias) | ||
| choose (verb) | (pt chose, pp chosen) to select or take what you prefer (choose a dish from the menu/choosing the members of his team). | ||
| chop (verb) | (chopped, chopping) 1 to cut with a quick strong blow. 2 to cut into pieces (chop the vegetables). n a piece of pork or mutton on a rib bone (a pork chop). | ||
| choppy (adjective) | rough (a choppy sea). | ||
| chops (noun, plural) | the jaws (dogs licking their chops). | ||
| chopsticks (noun, plural) | two long, thin sticks held in one hand, used in some Asian countriesinstead of a knife and fork. | ||
| choral (adjective) | having to do with a chorus or choir (choral music). | ||
| chord (noun) | 1 a group of several musical notes played all at once and in harmony. | ||
| chore (noun) | a regular job about the house (chores such as washing the dishes). | ||
| Chorology | study of the geographic description of anything (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Chorophobia | fear of dancing (see list of phobias) | ||
| chorus | Collective noun for composers (A chorus of composers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| chorus (noun) | 1 a group of singers and sometimes dancers. 2 a song or part of a song in which all may join (ask the audience to sing the chorus). vb to sing or speak together (“Goodbye,” chorused the children to their teacher). | ||
| Chrematistics | study of wealth; political economy (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Chrematophobia | fear of money (see list of phobias) | ||
| christen (verb) | 1 to baptize, or make part of the Christian church (have their son christened in church). 2 to name (she calls herself Kate although she was christened Catherine) 3 to make use of for the first time. n christening. | ||
| Christian (adjective) | having to do with Christ and his teaching. n a believer in Christ. | ||
| Christmas (noun) | December 25, the day each year on which the birth of Christ is celebrated. | ||
| Chromatophobia | fear of colors (see list of phobias) | ||
| Chrometophobia | fear of money (see list of phobias) | ||
| Chromophobia | fear of colors (see list of phobias) | ||
| chronic (adjective) | lasting for a long time (a chronic illness). | ||
| chronicle (adjective) | a record of events, set down in the order in which they happened (a chronicle of the events leading up to the war). Also vb. n chronicler. | ||
| Chronobiology | study of biological rhythms (see list of branches of science) | ||
| chronological (adjective) | arranged in order of time (announce the dates of the meetings in chronological order). | ||
| Chronomentrophobia | fear of clocks (see list of phobias) | ||
| Chronophobia | fear of time (see list of phobias) | ||
| chrysalis (noun) | an early stage in the life of a flying insect, when it is shut up in a cocoon until its wings grow. | ||
| chrysanthemum (noun) | a garden plant with a large, bushy flower. | ||
| Chrysology | study of precious metals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| chubby (adjective) | plump (chubby babies). | ||
| chuck wagon (noun) | a portable kitcken on a covered wagon. | ||
| chuckle (verb) | to laugh quietly (chuckling over his comic). Also n. | ||
| chum (noun) | (informal) a close friend (old school chums). adj chummy. | ||
| chunk (noun) | a thick piece (a chunk of cheese). | ||
| church (noun) | 1 a building set aside for worship. 2 a group of people having the same beliefs and religious organization. 3 those in charge of a religious organization. | ||
| churn (noun) | a vessel or machine for making butter. vb to shake or stir (cream) so as to make butter. | ||
| chute (noun) | 1 a waterfall. 2 a sloping passage or slide (children sliding down the chute in the playground). | ||
| chutney (noun) | a savoury preserve or relish made, usually, from fruit, vegetables and spices. | ||
| Cibophobia | fear of food (see list of phobias) | ||
| cider (noun) | a drink made from pressed apple juice. | ||
| cigar (noun) | a roll of tobacco for smoking, consisting of cut tobacco rolled in a whole tobacco leaf. | ||
| cigarette (noun) | tobacco finely cut and rolled in thin paper for smoking. | ||
| cinder (noun) | partly burned coal or wood. | ||
| cinema (noun) | 1 a building in which movies are shown. 2 the industry of making movies. adj cinematic. | ||
| cinnamon (noun) | a yellowish brown spice made from the dried inner bark of several kinds of trees and shrubs of the laurel family, used in cooking. | ||
| circle | Collective noun for friends (A circle of friends) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| circle (noun) | 1 a perfectly round figure. 2 a group of people (a small circle of close friends). vb 1 to move round (dancers circling the room). 2 to draw a circle around (circled the correct word). | ||
| circlet (noun) | a ring or circular band worn as an ornament. | ||
| circuit (noun) | 1 a path round earth’s circuit around the sun). 2 the act of moving around (do a circuit of the city streets). 3 the journey of a judge round a district to hold courts of law in several places. 4 the path of an electric current. | ||
| circular (adjective) | round (a circular shape). n a letter, copies of which are sent to many people (sent a circular to the parents about school sports day). | ||
| circularize (verb), also circularise (British spelling) | to send circulars to (circularize the members to get their views). | ||
| circulate (verb) | 1 to move in a circle or a fixed path (water circulating in the pipes of the heating system). 2 to pass round, to spread (circulate information). 3 to move from one person to another (a hostess circulating among the guests). | ||
| circulation (noun) | 1 the act of circulating. 2 the movement of the blood through the body. 3 the number of readers (of a newspaper, etc). | ||
| circumference (noun) | the line marking the limits of a circle. | ||
| circumnavigate (verb) | (formal) to sail around (circumnavigate the world). | ||
| circumstance (noun) | 1 (usually pl) a condition relating to or connected with an act or event (the circumstances surrounding the robbery/given the circumstances the police let him go). 2 pl state of affairs, position (often financial) (in very bad circumstances). | ||
| circus (noun) | 1 a traveling show given largely by skilled acrobats and trained animals. | ||
| cistern (noun) | a tank for storing water. | ||
| citadel (noun) | a fortress above a city for its defense. | ||
| cite (verb) | 1 to call to appear in court. 2 to quote. 3 to give as an example. | ||
| citizen (noun) | 1 an inhabitant of a city. 2 a member of a state. | ||
| citizenship (noun) | being, or having the rights of, a citizen. | ||
| citrus (adjective) | of a group of related fruits, including the lemon, orange, lime, and grapefruit. | ||
| city (noun) | a center of population larger than a town or village. | ||
| civic (adjective) | 1 having to do with a city (a civic function). 2 having to do with citizens or citizenship (your civic duty). npl civics the study of the rights and duties of citizens. | ||
| civil (adjective) | 1 having to do with citizens (civil disorder). 2 having to do with those citizens who are members of neither the armed forces nor the clergy (civil, not military, government). 3 polite (shop assistants who are scarcely civil). adv civilly. n civility | ||
| civil war (noun) | a war between citizens of the same country. | ||
| civilian (noun) | someone not in the armed forces. | ||
| civilization (noun), also civilisation (British spelling) | 1 a well-organized and polished society (the ancient civilizations of Greece and Egypt). 2 the state of being civilized (living with a savage tribe far from civilization). | ||
| civilize (verb), also civilise (British spelling) | 1 to bring or come out of a primitive condition. 2 to make more polite and well-mannered. adj civilized, also civilised (British spelling) | ||
| clad (past participle) | of clothe (he was clad in ceremonial dress). | ||
| claim (verb) | to demand as a right (claimed the throne/claiming his share of the goods). Also n. | ||
| clam (noun) | a type of shellfish. | ||
| clamber (verb) | to climb with difficulty, to scramble (there were children clambering over the rocks). Also n. | ||
| clammy (adjective) | damp, cold, and sticky (clammy hands/the weather was clammy before the storm). | ||
| clamor (noun), | also clamour (British spelling) loud shouting, a general outcry, especially demanding something (a clamor from the audience to get their money back). vb to shout (for something). | ||
| clamorous (adjective) | noisy (clamorous protesters). | ||
| clamp (noun) | a device used for holding things firmly together. vb to fasten with a clamp. | ||
| clan | Collective noun for hyenas (A clan of hyenas) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clan | Collective noun for meerkats (A clan of meerkats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clan | Collective noun for Scots (A clan of Scots) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clan (noun) | an early social group of families with the same name, thought to be related, who were ruled by a chief. n clansman , clanswoman | ||
| clang (noun) | a loud ringing sound, as of metal against metal (the iron gates shut with a clang). Also vb. | ||
| clank | Collective noun for tanks (A clank of tanks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clank (noun) | a short, sharp ringing sound (the clank of chains). Also vb. | ||
| clap (verb) | (clapped , clapping) 1 to smack the hands together noisily (the audience clapped when the singer appeared). 2 to slap or tap, usually in a friendly way (clap him on the back in congratulation). 3 to put suddenly and quickly (clap the wrongdoers in jail). n 1 the noise made by clapping the hands. 2 a sudden sound (e.g. of thunder). | ||
| clarify (verb) | to make clear or clearer (clarified the instructions cla-ri-fi-cay-shun/. | ||
| clarinet (noun) | a musical wind instrument with a wooden reed in the mouthpiece. n clarinetist , also clarinettist (British spelling) | ||
| clarity (noun) | clearness (the clarity of his speech/the clarity of the instructions). | ||
| clash (verb) | 1 to strike together noisily (clash the cymbals). 2 to disagree strongly about (the two sides clashed over money). 3 to happen at the same time, as in events (the concert clashed with my birthday party). n 1 the loud noise of two objects coming violently together. 2 a quarrel. | ||
| clasp (noun) | 1 a metal fastener (the clasp of a brooch). 2 a firm hold (hold her hand in a firm clasp). vb 1 to fasten. 2 to hold firmly (clasp her mother’s hand). | ||
| class | Collective noun for students (A class of students) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| class (noun) | 1 a group of persons or things of the same kind (plants divided into classes). 2 a group of pupils or students. 3 a rank, a standard of excellence (of the first class). 4 the system according to which people are divided into social groups. 5 one of these social groups (the upper class). vb to put in a class, to regard as being of a certain type (class him as being unfit for work). | ||
| classic (adjective) | of the best kind or standard. n 1 a great writer or book. 2 pl the classics ancient Greek and Roman literature. | ||
| classical (adjective) | 1 classic. 2 having to do with ancient Greek and Roman literature, art, or customs. | ||
| Classical mechanics | study of motion of macroscopic objects (see list of branches of science) | ||
| classify (verb) | to arrange in classes (classified the books as fiction or nonfiction). n classification | ||
| clatter (verb) | to make rattling noises (clattered up the wooden stairs). n a rattling noise. | ||
| clause (noun) | 1 a group of words forming a part of a sentence. 2 a section of an agreement (a clause in the contract allowing either side to withdraw). | ||
| Claustrophobia | fear of confined spaces (see list of phobias) | ||
| claustrophobia (noun) | the fear of being confined in any small enclosed space. | ||
| claw (noun) | 1 the hooked nail of a bird or other animal. 2 a foot with such nails. vb to scratch or tear with claws or nails (clawed at his face with her nails). | ||
| clay (noun) | a moist, formable earth that hardens when dried, used to make sculptures and pottery. adj clayey | ||
| clean (adjective) | 1 free from dirt (clean hands a clean record). 3 complete (a clean break). adv completely (the handle came away clean in my hand). vb to remove dirt, dust, etc, from (cleaned the dress cleen-er cleen-ness/. | ||
| cleanly (adjective) | having clean habits (a cleanly animal). adv in a clean manner, neatly. n cleanliness | ||
| cleanse (verb) | to make clean or pure (the soap cleansed her skin clenz-er/. | ||
| clear (adjective) | 1 easy to hear, see, or understand (a clear description). 2 bright (clear skies). 3 free from difficulties or obstacles (the way is now clear to go on with our plans). 4 obvious (a clear case of guilt). 5 transparent (the water was clear). vb 1 to make or become clear (the skies cleared). 2 to prove innocent (clearing his name). 3 to remove difficulties or obstacles from (clear the way). 4 to pass through or over (horse and rider cleared the fence). adv clearly. | ||
| clearance (noun) | 1 act of clearing (the clearance of trees/the clearance of goods from the shelves). 2 permission for something to be done (receive clearance from the boss). 3 the height or width of a passage (an underpass with a 13-foot clearance). | ||
| clearing (noun) | an open part of a forest with no trees. | ||
| clef (noun) | a mark to show the pitch in music. | ||
| cleft (noun) | a crack, a split. | ||
| Cleisiophobia | fear of being locked in an enclosed place (see list of phobias) | ||
| Cleithrophobia | fear of being locked in an enclosed place (see list of phobias) | ||
| clench (verb) | to press tightly together (clench your fist/clench your teeth). | ||
| Cleptophobia | fear of stealing (see list of phobias) | ||
| clergy (noun) | persons who are in charge of and who lead religious services: ministers, priests, rabbis, etc. | ||
| cleric (noun) | a a member of the clergy. | ||
| clerical (adjective) | 1 having to do with the clergy. 2 having to do with a clerk (clerical work). | ||
| clerk (noun) | an office employee doing written work. | ||
| clever (adjective) | 1 able to learn quickly. 2 able to think quickly. 3 able to do things well with the hands, skilful. adv cleverly. n cleverness. | ||
| clew | Collective noun for worms (A clew of worms) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cliché (noun) | a stock phrase in common use. | ||
| click (noun) | a light, sharp sound (the click of her heels). Also vb. | ||
| client (noun) | 1 a customer. 2 someone who employs a member of some profession (a lawyer’s clients). | ||
| clientele (noun) | all the clients of a professional or customers of a shopkeeper. | ||
| cliff (noun) | a high, steep rock face. | ||
| Climacophobia | fear of stairs, climbing, or of falling downstairs (see list of phobias) | ||
| climate (noun) | the usual weather conditions of a place. adj climatic | ||
| Climatology | study of climate (see list of branches of science) | ||
| climax (noun) | the highest or most exciting point, the most dramatic moment (the climax of his career clie-mac-tic/. | ||
| climb (verb) | 1 to rise or ascend (the plane climb to its cruising height/the stock prices climbed over the weekend). 2 to go up using the feet and often the hands. n climber. | ||
| clinch (verb) | 1 to settle (clinched the deal). 2 in boxing, to stand so close that no strong punches may be given. Also n. | ||
| cling (verb) | (pt, pp clung) 1 to stick to (mud clinging to her shoes). 2 to hold firmly to (clung to her mother’s skirt). | ||
| clinic (noun) | a building or a part of a hospital for people needing special medical treatment or advice (a skin clinic). adj clinical. | ||
| clink (noun) | a sharp, thin ringing sound. Also vb. | ||
| Clinology | study of aging or individual decline after maturity (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Clinophobia | fear of going to bed (see list of phobias) | ||
| clip1 (verb) | (clipped , clipping ) to cut (clip the hedge). n 1 something that has been clipped. 2 a sharp blow. | ||
| clip2 (noun) | a fastener (she put her hair up in a clip). vb (clipped, clipping) to fasten. | ||
| clipper (noun) | 1 an instrument for clipping (nail clippers). 2 a fast sailing ship. | ||
| clipping | Collective noun for geldings (A clipping of geldings) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clique (noun) | a small group of people who keep together, not mixing with others. | ||
| Clithrophobia | fear of being locked in an enclosed place (see list of phobias) | ||
| cloak (noun) | 1 a loose outer garment. 2 something that hidesor covers. vb 1 to cover as with a cloak. 2 to conceal. | ||
| cloakroom (noun) | 1 a room where you can leave outer garments, packages, etc, in a public place. | ||
| clock (noun) | an instrument for telling the time. vb to measure time (he clocked me running a mile in 8.27 minutes). | ||
| clockwise (adjective) | going around in the direction of the hands of a clock. | ||
| clockwork (noun) | machinery like that inside a mechanical clock. like clockwork regularly and smoothly. | ||
| clod (noun) | 1 a lump of earth. 2 a clumsy or stupid person. | ||
| clog (noun) | 1 a shoe with a wooden sole. 2 something that blocks or gets in the way of. vb (clogged , clogging ) to block or choke (clog the drains). | ||
| cloister (noun) | 1 a monastery or other place where religious people choose to be by themselves. 2 a covered walkway in a monastery, church, etc, that leads to a garden or courtyard. Also vb. | ||
| clone (noun) | 1 an animal or plant that has been produced or manufacturedfrom the cells of another and is, therefore, an exact copy. 2 a person or thing that is very like someone or something else (the teenagers all wear the same clothes and look like clones of each other). vb to produce an exact copy of an animal or plant from its own cells. | ||
| close1 (verb) | 1 to shut (close the gates). 2 to finish (close the meeting). 3 to bring or come near (his arms closed around her). n the end. | ||
| close2 (adjective) | 1 shut in. 2 stuffy (the air was close in the crowded hall). 3 near, not far (the station is quite close). | ||
| closet (noun) | a large cupboard or small room in which clothes are kept. vb to shut up (closeted themselves in a private room). | ||
| closure (noun) | (formal) closing, end (the closure of the factory). | ||
| clot | Collective noun for cardiologists (A clot of cardiologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clot (noun) | a soft lump formed on or in liquid (a clot of blood). vb (clotted , clotting ) 1 to form into clots. 2 to thicken. | ||
| cloth (noun) | a material made by weaving threads of wool, cotton, etc. | ||
| clothe (verb) | (pt, pp clothed or clad) to put clothes on (clothe herself in silk). | ||
| clothes (noun, plural) | garments. | ||
| clothes pin (noun) | a wooden or plastic clip that holds washed clothes on a line to dry (in Britain a clothes pin is called a clothes peg). | ||
| clothing (noun) | garments (warm clothing). | ||
| cloud | Collective noun for gnats (A cloud of gnats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cloud | Collective noun for grasshoppers (A cloud of grasshoppers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cloud (noun) | 1 a mass of water vapor floating high in the sky. 2 a great many (a cloud of insects). 3 a cause of gloom or trouble (a cloud on their happiness). vb to darken. adj cloudy , cloudless | ||
| cloudburst (noun) | a sudden, very heavy rainstorm. | ||
| clove (noun) | 1 a plant bud from a tree used as a spice. 2 a part of a bulb, such as garlic. | ||
| clover (noun) | a three-leaved plant grown as food for cattle. | ||
| clowder | Collective noun for cats (A clowder of cats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clown (noun) | 1 a fool. 2 one who plays the fool to amuse others. vb to play the fool (boys clowning around). | ||
| club (noun) | 1 a heavy stick. 2 a golf stick. 3 a group of people who meet for a common purpose. 4 their meeting place (a golf club). 5 a place, usually one selling drinks, where people go to listen to music and dance. 6 pl a suit of playing cards. vb (clubbed , clubbing ) to beat with a club. go clubbing go to a club (sense 5). | ||
| cluck (noun) | a low, sharp, clicking sound, like the sound made by a hen. Also vb. | ||
| clue (noun) | a fact that, when understood, helps one to find the answer to a problem; a hint (police looking for clues/find a clue to her whereabouts). | ||
| clump | Collective noun for reeds (A clump of reeds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clump | Collective noun for trees (A clump of trees) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clump (noun) | a closely packed group, a cluster (a clump of trees). vb to walk heavily (clump angrily upstairs). | ||
| clumsy (adjective) | 1 awkward in movement, shape, etc (the clumsy person always dropped things). 2 badly done (a clumsy apology). n clumsiness adv clumsily. | ||
| cluster | Collective noun for bombs (A cluster of bombs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cluster | Collective noun for churls (A cluster of churls) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cluster | Collective noun for coconuts (A cluster of coconuts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cluster | Collective noun for computers (A cluster of computers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cluster | Collective noun for diamonds (A cluster of diamonds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cluster | Collective noun for knots (A cluster of knots) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cluster | Collective noun for spiders (A cluster of spiders) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cluster (noun) | a number of things growing very close together, a closely packed group (a cluster of grapes). vb to grow or stand close together. | ||
| clutch | Collective noun for eggs (A clutch of eggs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clutch | Collective noun for families (A clutch of families) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clutch | Collective noun for kleptomaniacs (A clutch of kleptomaniacs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clutch | Collective noun for mechanics (A clutch of mechanics) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clutch | Collective noun for motorcyclists (A clutch of motorcyclists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clutch | Collective noun for testicles (A clutch of testicles) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clutch | Collective noun for tomatoes (A clutch of tomatoes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clutch | Collective noun for wrestlers (A clutch of wrestlers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| clutch (verb) | 1 to seize (clutched the rope that was thrown). 2 to hold tightly (clutches her bag). n 1 a firm hold. 2 pl power, control (in the clutches of criminals). 3 eggs being hatched at one sitting. 4 in a car, a lever that puts an engine in or out of action. 5 a woman’s small handbag or purse. | ||
| clutter (verb) | to fill or cover untidily (papers cluttering the desk). n an untidy mass. | ||
| cm | abbreviation for centimeter. | ||
| Cnidophobia | fear of stings (see list of phobias) | ||
| coach (noun) | 1 (old) a closed four-wheeled horse carriage. 2 a railway carriage. 3 a private teacher (they employed a coach to improve their son’s French). 4 one who trains athletes (an football coach). vb 1 to give private lessons (coach him in French). 2 to prepare (a person or a team) for a contest (coach the football players). | ||
| coal (noun) | a black rock dug from a mine, used as fuel. | ||
| coalition | Collective noun for cheetahs (A coalition of cheetahs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| coalition (noun) | 1 a joining together. 2 the joining together of different political parties for a special purpose (a country ruled by a coalition). | ||
| coarse (adjective) | 1 rough (coarse material). 2 rude, vulgar, unrefined (a coarse sense of humour). adv coarsely n coarseness | ||
| coarsen (verb) | to make coarse (hands coarsened by washing floors). | ||
| coast (noun) | land next to the sea. vb 1 to sail alongside the coast. 2 to move without the use of power (coasting downhill in a car). 3 to go on without much effort (coast along without doing much). adj coastal | ||
| coast guard (noun) | the coast police (an empty boat spotted by coast guards). | ||
| coastline (noun) | the line of the coast or shore. | ||
| coat (noun) | 1 an outer garment with sleeves. 2 the natural cover of an animal (e.g. hair, wool, fur). 3 anything that covers (a coat of paint). vb to cover (cookies that were coated with chocolate). | ||
| coat of arms (noun) | the design on a shield or badge representing a person, family, country, or organization. | ||
| coating (noun) | a covering. | ||
| coax (verb) | to get someone to do something by speaking kindly or petting. | ||
| cob (noun) | 1 a corncob. 2 a male swan. 3 a short-legged, thickset riding horse. | ||
| cobble (verb) | 1 (old) to mend (shoes) (he cobbled boots). 2 to mend or put together roughly (cobble together a makeshift table). n a cobblestone. | ||
| cobbler (noun) | a mender of shoes. | ||
| cobblestone (noun) | a rounded stone used to pave roads (Macondray Lane has cobblestones). | ||
| cobra (noun) | a poisonous snake found in Africa and Asia which has loose skin behind its head that stiffens into a hood when the snake is excited, scared, or angry. | ||
| cobweb (noun) | a spider’s web, usually one found in a house and that has collected dust. | ||
| cocaine (noun) | a drug that deadens pain, but is very addictive and can be fatal. | ||
| cock (noun) | 1 a male bird. 2 a tap or faucet. 3 the hammer of a gun. vb 1 to turn upward, to tilt (cock his hat). 2 to raise, to cause to stand up (the dog cocked its ears). 3 (of a gun) to draw back the hammer before firing. | ||
| cockatoo (noun) | a type of parrot. | ||
| cocker spaniel (noun) | a small, long-haired, long-eared dog. | ||
| cockerel (noun) | a young cock. | ||
| cockle (noun) | a type of shellfish. | ||
| cockleshell (noun) | 1 the shell of the cockle. 2 a small, light boat. | ||
| cockpit (noun) | 1 (old) a pit in which cocks were made to fight each other. 2 the pilot’s place in an aircraft. | ||
| cockroach (noun) | a kind of black beetle with long antennae and a flat body. | ||
| cocktail | Collective noun for drugs (A cocktail of drugs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cocktail (noun) | a strong drink made by mixing an alcoholic drink with fruit juice, or other drinks. | ||
| cocky (adjective) | absolutely sure, overconfident. | ||
| cocoa (noun) | 1 a powder made from cacao seeds. 2 a drink made from this powder; hot chocolate. | ||
| coconut (noun) | the fruit of the coconut palm tree, with a white inside flesh covered in a brown husk surrounded by a hard shell. | ||
| coconut palm (noun) | a tropical palm tree. | ||
| cocoon (noun) | a silky case spun by many insects as they grow and transform, as from a caterpillar to a butterfly. | ||
| COD | abbreviation for collect on delivery and cash on delivery, an arrangement whereby a person receiving a package must pay for it when they receive it. | ||
| cod (noun) | a large sea fish. | ||
| coddle (verb) | 1 to pet, to treat with too much care (coddles her youngest child). 2 to cook gently (coddle eggs). | ||
| code (noun) | 1 a collection of laws, rules, or signals. 2 a method of sending secret messages by using signs, sounds, or words (try to decipher the message in code/the Morse code). | ||
| Codicology | study of manuscripts (see list of branches of science) | ||
| coerce (verb) | to make to do, to force (enemy soldiers coercing the villagers into providing them with food and shelter). n coercion adj coercive | ||
| coexist (verb) | to live at the same time or in the same place with another, especially peacefully (the warring neighbors finally succeeded in coexisting happily). n coexistence | ||
| coffee (noun) | a dark brown drink brewed from the roasted, ground seeds of the coffee tree or shrub. | ||
| coffin (noun) | a box in which a dead body is put for burial. | ||
| coffle | Collective noun for slaves (A coffle of slaves) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cog | Collective noun for robots (A cog of robots) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cog (noun) | the tooth of a wheel for receiving motion by fitting between the teeth of another wheel, as on the gears for a bicycle. | ||
| coherent (adjective) | clear and logical (a coherent argument). n coherence | ||
| cohesion (noun) | 1 the force that holds the parts of a substance together. 2 coherence. adj cohesive | ||
| cohort | Collective noun for epidemiologists (A cohort of epidemiologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| coil (verb) | to wind in a series of rings (a snake coiling itself around a tree). n a ring or rings into which a rope, etc, is wound. | ||
| Coimetrophobia | fear of cemeteries (see list of phobias) | ||
| coin (noun) | a metal piece of money. vb 1 to make money out of metal. 2 to invent (coin a word). | ||
| coinage (noun) | 1 the act of coining. 2 all coined money. 3 the coined money in use in a particular country. 4 a newly invented word. | ||
| coincide (verb) | 1 to happen at the same time (their arrival coincided with our departure). 2 to be in agreement (their opinions coincide). | ||
| coincidence (noun) | the accidental happening of one event at the same time as another (it was a coincidence that we both arrived together). adj coincident , coincidental | ||
| Coitophobia | fear of coitus. (see list of phobias) | ||
| coke (noun) | coal, from which most of the gas has been extracted by heating, used as industrial fuel. | ||
| colander (noun) | a strainer. | ||
| cold (adjective) | 1 not hot or warm (a cold day/cold food). 2 without emotion or excitement, unenthusiastic (his performance left me cold). 3 unfriendly (a cold welcome). n 1 absence of heat (cannot stand the cold). 2 an illness, usually consisting of a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, aches, and pains. (catch a cold). | ||
| cold-blooded (adjective) | 1 having a body temperature that depends on the environment, as fish, snakes, etc. 2 completely unfeeling, cruel (cold-blooded murder). | ||
| Coleopterology | study of beetles and weevils (see list of branches of science) | ||
| collaborate (verb) | 1 to work together, especially in writing, study, art, or science (collaborating on a book). 2 to work with another to betray secrets, etc (collaborating with the enemy). n collaboration n collaborator | ||
| collapse (noun) | 1 a fall (the collapse of the bridge). 2 a sudden loss of consciousness. 3 a failure (the collapse of the firm/the collapse of the talks). vb 1 to fall down (the bridge collapsed). 2 to lose consciousness (collapsing in the extreme heat). 3 to fail completely (the company collapsed). | ||
| collar (noun) | 1 the part of the clothing that covers or surrounds the neck. 2 a strap or band put round the neck of an animal. vb (informal) to take hold of, to seize (police collaring criminals). | ||
| collards (noun, plural) | a leafy vegetable similar to kale. | ||
| colleague (noun) | a fellow worker. | ||
| collect (verb) | 1 to bring together (collect the glasses). 2 to come together (a crowd collected). 3 to gather and keep things of the same kind (collect stamps). 4 to obtain money by contributions (collecting for charity). | ||
| collected (adjective) | 1 gathered together. 2 calm, cool, in control. | ||
| collection | Collective noun for objects (A collection of objects) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| collection (noun) | 1 act of collecting. 2 the things collected. 3 the gathering of money for a special purpose. n collector | ||
| collective | Collective noun for nouns (A collective of nouns) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| collective (adjective) | taken as a whole, joint (our collective strength). n a collective enterprise, as a farm. adv collectively | ||
| collective noun | a word or phrase referring to a collection of things taken as a whole (see collective noun definition) | ||
| college | Collective noun for electors (A college of electors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| college | Collective noun for physicians (A college of physicians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| college (noun) | 1 a society of learned or professional people that have certain duties (the electoral college). 2 a place of further education after high school, where one might obtain a bachelor’s or associate’s degree. | ||
| collide (verb) | to run into, to strike against (collide with another car co-li-zhon/. | ||
| collie (noun) | a long-haired dog with a long, narrow head, originally bred for herding sheep. | ||
| colloid | Collective noun for chemists (A colloid of chemists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colloquial (adjective) | conversational, having to do with the spoken language of ordinary people (colloquial language). | ||
| colloquialism (noun) | a popular expression. | ||
| collusion (noun) | a secret agreement to do something wrong (witnesses acting in collusion to deceive the courts). | ||
| colon (noun) | 1 a mark of punctuation (:). 2 a part of the bowel, or lower intestine. | ||
| colonel (noun) | a military officer. | ||
| colonial (adjective) | 1 having to do with a colony. 2 (often cap) having to do with the 13 British colonies that became the United States. | ||
| colonist (noun) | a settler in a colony. | ||
| colonize (verb), | also colonise (British spelling) to form or set up a colony in (the British colonized parts of Africa). | ||
| colonnade (noun) | a row of columns or pillars. | ||
| colony | Collective noun for avocets (A colony of avocets) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colony | Collective noun for bats (A colony of bats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colony | Collective noun for beavers (A colony of beavers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colony | Collective noun for fungi (A colony of fungi) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colony | Collective noun for gulls (A colony of gulls) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colony | Collective noun for ibises (A colony of ibises) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colony | Collective noun for lepers (A colony of lepers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colony | Collective noun for lice (A colony of lice) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colony | Collective noun for microbiologists (A colony of microbiologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colony | Collective noun for pelicans (A colony of pelicans) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colony | Collective noun for penguins (A colony of penguins) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colony | Collective noun for rabbits (A colony of rabbits) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colony | Collective noun for termites (A colony of termites) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colony | Collective noun for voles (A colony of voles) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| colony (noun) | 1 a community of settlers in a new land. 2 the place in which they settle. | ||
| color (noun), | also colour (British spelling) 1 a quality that objects have and that can be seen only when light falls on them (what color is her new dress?/bright colors such as red and yellow). 2 paint (watercolors). 3 redness (of the face) (brings color to her cheeks). 4 a skin color varying with race (was unliked because of the color of her skin). 5 brightness (a description full of color). 6 pl a flag. vb 1 to paint, to put color on or into (color the walls yellow). 2 to give interesting qualities to, to elaborate (the account she gave was colored by her imagination). 3 to affect (a view of life colored by childhood experiences). 4 to blush (coloring with embarrassment). | ||
| colorblind (adjective), also colourblind (British spelling) | unable to see the difference between colors or certain colors (he is red-green colorblind). | ||
| colorful (adjective), also colourful (British spelling) | 1 full of color, bright. 2 bright and interesting (he gave a very colorful account of his travels). | ||
| colorless (adjective), also colourless (British spelling) | 1 without color (the landscape was colorless and bleak). 2 uninteresting (a colorless description). | ||
| colossal (noun) | adj very big, gigantic (there is a colossal crane on the docks). | ||
| colt (noun) | a young male horse or donkey (the mare and her colt were waiting at the gate). | ||
| columbine (noun) | n a kind of wild flower of the buttercup family. | ||
| column | Collective noun for armoured cars (A column of armoured cars) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| column (noun) | 1 a pillar used to support or ornament a building. 2 something similar in shape (a column of smoke). 3 a body of troops standing one behind the other in one or more lines. 4 a vertical row in a list, table or chart. 5 a narrow division of a page. adj columnar | ||
| columnist (noun) | the writer of a regular series of articles for a newspaper or magazine. | ||
| coma (noun) | a long-continuing state of being unconscious, or not awake or aware of one’s surroundings (in a coma after the head injury). | ||
| comatose (adjective) | 1 of, like, or in a coma. 2 (informal) very sleepy, drowsy (comatose after a large meal). | ||
| comb (noun) | 1 a toothed instrument for passing through and arranging hair, wool, etc. 2 the crest of a cock. vb to pass through or arrange with a comb. | ||
| combat (verb) | (combated , combating ) to fight against, to try to defeat, destroy, etc (many drugs have been developed to combat disease). n a fight. | ||
| combatant (noun) | one taking part in a fight. Also adj. | ||
| combative (adjective) | liking to fight (in a combative mood). | ||
| combination (noun) | 1 a joining, a union (a combination of the new and the old/work in combination with overseas firms). 2 pl a one-piece undergarment covering the upper and lower body. | ||
| combine (verb) | to join (he combines wit and skill/the two firms have combined). | ||
| combust (verb) | to burn. | ||
| combustible (adjective) | able to take light and burn easily. | ||
| combustion (noun) | the process of burning. | ||
| come (verb) | (pt came, pp come) to move toward (opposite of go). n coming. come across to discover (something) by accident (come across some valuable books in an old shop). come to pass (old or fml) to happen (it came to pass that they married). | ||
| comedian (noun) | 1 a performer who tells jokes, a comic. 2 one who is always trying to make others laugh. f comedienne | ||
| comedy | Collective noun for errors (A comedy of errors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| comedy (noun) | 1 a light or amusing play with a happy ending. 2 an amusing happening, the amusing side of something (the comedy of the situation). | ||
| comely (adjective) | (old or fml) pleasant-looking, graceful (a comely young woman). n comeliness | ||
| comet (noun) | a bright heavenly body made up of frozen dust and gas that orbits the sun, seen only rarely, with a tail of light. | ||
| Cometology | study of comets (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Cometophobia | fear of comets (see list of phobias) | ||
| comfort (noun) | 1 the state of being free from anxiety, worry, pain, etc, and having all one’s physical needs satisfied; ease (a life of comfort). 2 something that satisfies one’s physical needs (all modern comforts). 3 strength, hope, sympathy, etc (offer comfort to the widow). 4 the cause of comfort to others (a comfort to her mother). vb to give comfort to (comfort the widow at the funeral); to cheer (someone) up. | ||
| comfortable (adjective) | 1 at ease, free from anxiety, worry, etc (I did not feel comfortable in her presence). 2 providing comfort, soft and restful, relaxing. | ||
| comforter (noun) | 1 someone who comforts. 2 (old) a quilted bed covering. | ||
| comic (adjective) | 1 having to do with comedy (a comic act). 2 amusing, laughable (a comic situation). Also n a booklet or magazine with a series of drawings that relate a humorous story or adventure. | ||
| comical (adjective) | funny, amusing (you look comical in that funny hat). | ||
| comma (noun) | a mark of punctuation (,). | ||
| command (verb) | 1 to order (command them to come at once). 2 to be in charge (of). 3 to control. 4 to overlook (a place) (command a view of the sea). n 1 an order. 2 mastery (his command of English is excellent). | ||
| commander (noun) | 1 an officer in charge of troops. 2 an officer in the navy. | ||
| commanding (adjective) | arousing respect. | ||
| commandment (noun) | an order, a law. | ||
| commemorate (verb) | to make people remember something by holding a service or doing something special (commemorating those who died in the war). n commemoration | ||
| commence (verb) | (formal) to begin. n commencement | ||
| commend (verb) | 1 to praise (her teaching was highly commended). 2 (formal) to recommend (I commend you to try the new restaurant). | ||
| commendable (adjective) | deserving praise. | ||
| commendation (noun) | praise. | ||
| comment (verb) | 1 to say something about, to remark on (friends commenting on her unhappiness). 2 to write notes in explanation of. n 1 a remark. 2 an explanation. | ||
| commentary (noun) | 1 a series of remarks or notes. 2 a spoken description of an event as it happens. running commentary a description of an event as it happens, given by an onlooker. | ||
| commentator (noun) | 1 one who comments. 2 the writer or speaker of a commentary. | ||
| commerce (noun) | the buying and selling of goods, trade. | ||
| commercial (adjective) | 1 having to do with trade or commerce (commercial law). 2 profit-making (a commercial business). n a paid advertisement for radio or television. | ||
| commiserate (verb) | to pity, to sympathize with (commiserate with her on her misfortune). n commiseration | ||
| commission (noun) | 1 act of committing. 2 an order for a work of art (receive a commission to paint the president’s portrait). 3 a group of people appointed to study and report on a particular matter (a commission to look into government spending). 4 money paid to someone who has helped to arrange a business deal (his commission for selling the painting/the commission paid by the writer to his agent). vb to give an order or request to, to appoint (commission him to paint a portrait). | ||
| commit (verb) | (committed, committing) 1 to perform or do, especially something illegal (commit a crime). 2 to make a definite agreement that one will do something (commit oneself to raising $1000 for the charity). 3 to give (someone) into care (he committed his brother to a mental hospital). 4 (formal) to put in or on (commit the facts to paper). | ||
| commitment (noun) | 1 the act of committing (the commitment of facts to paper). 2 a promise, a duty, a responsibility (family commitments). 3 state of being devoted (looking for someone with commitment to his work). | ||
| committee (noun) | a group of people appointed from a larger body to manage its affairs or perform a particular duty (the prom committee). | ||
| commodity (noun) | (often pl) anything bought and sold, a useful thing (household commodities). | ||
| common (adjective) | 1 belonging to everyone, of no special rank or quality (their common desire to be free). 2 found everywhere (a common wild flower). 3 ordinary (a common member of the public). 4 frequent (a common occurrence). 5 rough, regarded as being low class (regarded as common because of her dress and speech). n land belonging to or open to the community (common ground). | ||
| common denominator (noun) | a denominator shared by two or more fractions. | ||
| common sense (noun) | practical knowledge of how to act in everyday matters (brilliant but with little common sense). | ||
| commonplace (noun) | a well-known remark, an ordinary or unoriginal remark. adj ordinary, not regarded as special (a commonplace speech). | ||
| commonwealth (noun) | 1 a state in which everyone has a say in the type of government. 2 a group of states united by certain common interests. | ||
| commotion | Collective noun for coots (A commotion of coots) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| commotion (noun) | confused movement, disorder (awakened by a commotion in the street). | ||
| communal (adjective) | shared by all (a communal changing room). | ||
| commune (verb) | (formal) to talk together (with), to exchange thoughts or feelings with (claims he can commune with plants). | ||
| communicable (adjective) | 1 able to be passed to others (a communicable disease). 2 able to be communicated or explained to others (ideas only communicable to experts). | ||
| communicant (noun) | one who receives Holy Communion, a religious ceremony practiced in some Christian churches. | ||
| communicate (verb) | 1 to make known to, to tell (communicate the facts to her). 2 to get in touch with (communicate with each other by phone). 3 to make information, ideas, feelings, etc, clearly known to others (you need to be able to communicate in this job). 4 to pass (something) to another (communicate a disease). | ||
| communication (noun) | 1 a message (receive a secret communication). 2 a means of communicating (telephone communications). | ||
| communicative (adjective) | talkative, ready to give information (find the witnesses not very communicative). | ||
| communion (noun) | the act of sharing. Holy Communion a religious ceremony practiced in some Christian churches. | ||
| communism (noun) | the belief in an economic system that is based on all property being owned by the whole community and not by the individual. | ||
| communist (noun) | a believer in communism. adj communistic | ||
| community (noun) | the whole body of the people living in a town, district, country, etc (the mining disaster affected the whole community). | ||
| commute (verb) | 1 to travel daily from the place where one lives to the place where one works (commute by rail). 2 to change into something less unpleasant (commute the death sentence to one of life imprisonment). adj commutable n commutation | ||
| commuter (noun) | one who commutes (commuters affected by the rail strike). | ||
| compact (adjective) | 1 tightly packed, firm (a compact mass of sand). 2 fitted neatly together in a small space (a compact kitchen). 3 short, concise (a compact account of the events cum-pact-ness/. | ||
| compact disc (noun) | a small, hard, plastic disc on which sound or information is recorded in a form readable by a laser, often called CD. | ||
| companion (noun) | 1 a friend, a person, etc, who regularly accompanies another (his dog was his constant companion/miss his companions at the club). 2 one who goes with or accompanies (her companion on her walk). 3 a person employed to live with someone and keep him or her company (the old lady’s companion). 4 one of a matching pair or set of things (the companion to this volume). n companionship. | ||
| companionable (adjective) | liking company (companionable people missing a social life). | ||
| companionway (noun) | stairs on a ship from deck to cabin. | ||
| company | Collective noun for archer fish (A company of archer fish) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| company | Collective noun for archers (A company of archers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| company | Collective noun for fools (A company of fools) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| company | Collective noun for moles (A company of moles) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| company | Collective noun for parrots (A company of parrots) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| company | Collective noun for widgeon (A company of widgeon) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| company (noun) | 1 a number of people gathered together by chance or invitation (tell the company to help themselves). 2 being together with another or others (enjoy his company). 3 a group of persons who have put together money to run a business. 4 a group of people working together (a theatrical company). 5 a body of soldiers commanded by a captain. 6 the crew of a ship. | ||
| comparable (adjective) | 1 able to be compared (a comparable job). 2 nearly or just as good as (a book that is comparable with the greatest novels). | ||
| comparative (adjective) | judged alongside something else, relative (comparative luxury). | ||
| compare (verb) | 1 to consider things together to see how they are alike and different (compare the two accounts of the accident). 2 to point out the likeness and difference between (compare his novels to those of Dickens). | ||
| comparison (noun) | 1 act of comparing (a small city in comparison with New York). 2 likeness, similarity (no comparison between fresh food and frozen). | ||
| compartment (noun) | 1 a part (e.g. of a drawer) divided off from the rest. 2 one of the small rooms in a railway carriage. | ||
| compass (noun) | 1 a direction-finding instrument containing a magnetic needle that always points north. 2 (formal) full extent or range (not within the compass of his power). 3 pl compasses an instrument for drawing circles, consisting of two pointed legs connected at one end. | ||
| compassion (noun) | pity, deep sympathy (show compassion for the refugees). | ||
| compassionate (adjective) | feeling or showing pity or deep sympathy. | ||
| compatible (adjective) | 1 able to exist together peacefully (husbands and wivse should be compatible). 2 in agreement with (their accounts of the accident are not compatible). | ||
| compatriot (noun) | a person from the same country. | ||
| compel (verb) | (compelled, compelling) to make to do, to force (compel him to pay his share). adj compelling very interesting, attractive. | ||
| compendium (noun) | a summary containing the important aspects of a subject (a compendium of sport). | ||
| compensate (verb) | 1 to give something to make up for harm or injury done (compensate him for his injury at work). 2 to undo or counteract the effect of a disadvantage, loss, etc (her aunt’s love compensated for her parents’ neglect). | ||
| compensation (noun) | something given to make up for harm or injury. | ||
| compete (verb) | 1 to try to do better than one’s fellows in work, games, etc (two teams competing for a place in the final/two firms competing for a government grant). 2 to take part in the hope of winning (a record number of teams competing). | ||
| competence, compotency (noun) | 1 ability, skill (no one doubts his competence as a statesman). 2 (old) a sufficient amount of money to live on. | ||
| competent (adjective) | 1 good at one’s job (a competent teacher). 2 well done (a competent job). 3 (formal) having the necessary powers (a court not competent to deal with the matter). adv competently | ||
| competition (noun) | 1 the act of competing, rivalry (a lot of competition for the post of manager). 2 a contest for which a prize is offered (enter the golf competition). 3 people competing for a prize, etc (the competition is very strong). | ||
| competitive (adjective) | encouraging competition or rivalry (a competitive industry). | ||
| competitor (noun) | 1 one who competes (line up the competitors in the race). 2 a rival (a shop charging less than its rivals). | ||
| compile (verb) | to collect facts and figures, etc, and put together in an orderly form. n compiler n compilation | ||
| complacence, complacency (noun) | satisfaction, especially self-satisfaction, smugness. | ||
| complacent (adjective) | smug, satisfied with oneself and one’s actions etc (he’s complacent about his position as champion but there are many new young players in the competition). | ||
| complain (verb) | 1 to grumble (complaining about the cold weather). 2 to say that one is not satisfied (complain to the manager about the faulty goods). | ||
| complainant (noun) | one who accuses another of an offence against the law. | ||
| complaint (noun) | 1 a grumble (complaints about the weather). 2 an expression of dissatisfaction (write a letter of complaint to the manager). 3 an illness (childhood complaints). 4 an accusation (lodge a complaint against his noisy neighbor). | ||
| complaisant (adjective) | agreeable, ready to please (a complaisant husband). n complaisance | ||
| complement (noun) | 1 that which completes (a good dessert is a complement to a good dinner). 2 the number or quantity needed to make something complete (have their full complement of office staff). | ||
| complementary (adjective) | adding what is necessary to make complete (a dessert that is complementary to a dinner/a complementary amount). | ||
| complete (adjective) | 1 finished (a task that will soon be complete). 2 whole (a complete set of Shakespeare’s plays). 3 perfect (a complete gentleman). vb 1 to finish (complete the task). 2 to make whole (complete their happiness). n completion | ||
| complex | Collective noun for psychologists (A complex of psychologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| complex (adjective) | 1 having many parts (complex machinery). 2 not simple (a complex plan). n 1 a group of connected or similar things (a shopping complex/a leisure complex). 2 an abnormal mental state, often caused by past experiences or suppressed desires or fears, that influences a person’s behavior (an inferiority complex). | ||
| complexion (noun) | the color, texture, and general appearance of the skin, especially the face. | ||
| complexity (noun) | 1 the state of being complex. 2 difficulty (the complexity of the situation). | ||
| compliant (adjective) | giving in easily to others (so compliant that everyone takes advantage of him). n compliance a disposition to yield to or comply with others. See also comply. | ||
| complicate (verb) | to make difficult (it will complicate matters if we travel separately). | ||
| complicated (adjective) | 1 difficult to understand (a complicated problem). 2 confusing because of having many parts (a complicated machine). | ||
| complication (noun) | 1 a confused state of affairs. 2 an event or fact that makes things difficult. | ||
| complicity (noun) | helping to do something wrong (accused of complicity in the robbery). | ||
| compliment (noun) | 1 praise, a flattering remark (pay her a compliment on her appearance). 2 pl (formal) good wishes (compliments of the season/free dessert with the compliments of the owner). vb to praise, to express admiration. | ||
| complimentary (adjective) | 1 flattering, showing admiration (complimentary remarks). 2 free (complimentary tickets). | ||
| comply (verb) | 1 to agree to (complying with their request). 2 to obey (complied with the rules). n compliance. | ||
| component (noun) | a part necessary to the whole object (car components). Also adj. | ||
| comport (verb) | (formal) to behave (comport oneself with dignity). | ||
| compose (verb) | 1 to make up by putting together. 2 to write (compose a poem/compose a piece of music). 3 to calm (take time to compose oneself). | ||
| composed (adjective) | calm. | ||
| composer (noun) | one who writes music. | ||
| composite (adjective) | made up of several parts (a composite picture painted by all the children). | ||
| composition (noun) | 1 act of putting together. 2 the arrangement of parts to form a pleasing whole (studying the composition of the chemical). 3 the thing composed or written (a composition for violins). 4 a mixture (a chemical composition). | ||
| compost (noun) | rotting vegetable matter, etc, used as a fertilizer (a compost heap). | ||
| composure (noun) | calmness. | ||
| compote (noun) | preserved or stewed fruit (compote and cream for dessert). | ||
| compound1 (verb) | 1 to put together, to mix (a painkiller compounded of two chemicals). 2 to increase greatly (the usual difficulties compounded by bad weather conditions). adj made up of two or more parts (a compound substance). n a mixture of two or more substances. | ||
| compound2 (noun) | an enclosed space with a building or buildings in it. | ||
| comprehend (verb) | 1 to understand (unable to comprehend his attitude). 2 (formal) to include (his estate comprehends all the land from the sea to the castle). | ||
| comprehensible (adjective) | able to be understood (he was so upset that his speech was scarcely comprehensible). | ||
| comprehension (noun) | the power of understanding (beyond our comprehension). | ||
| comprehensive (adjective) | taking in as much as possible (a comprehensive survey). | ||
| compress (verb) | to press together into a smaller space (compress all his belongings into a very small case com-press com-pre-shun/. | ||
| comprise (verb) | to be made up of (a committee comprising only women/a house comprising three bedrooms, three public rooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen). | ||
| compromise | Collective noun for mediators (A compromise of mediators) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| compromise (verb) | 1 to reach agreement by giving way on certain points (we couldn’t agree on a vacation destination so we both had to compromise and choose somewhere acceptable to both of us). 2 to leave open to suspicion or criticism (politicians compromising themselves by accepting hospitality from business firms). n an agreement reached when each party gives way on certain points. | ||
| compulsion (noun) | 1 force (they left only under compulsion). 2 an irresistible urge (a sudden compulsion to run away). | ||
| compulsory (adjective) | forced, compelled (the wearing of a school uniform is compulsory/compulsory safety helmets). | ||
| compunction (noun) | regret, feeling of guilt (feel no compunction about leaving work early). | ||
| compute (verb) | (formal) to calculate or estimate (compute the likely cost). n computation | ||
| computer (noun) | an electronic machine capable of storing and processing large amounts of information and of doing calculations. | ||
| computer graphics (noun, plural) | artwork or design that is created on a computer. | ||
| Computer science | study of processes that interact with data (see list of branches of science) | ||
| computer-aided design (noun) | the use of a computer to create plans and drawings. | ||
| computerize (verb), also computerisation (British spelling) | 1 to store (information) on a computer (begin to computerize hospital records) 2 to use computers to do the work connected with something (production at the factory has now been fully computerized). n computerization | ||
| comrade (noun) | a friend, a companion. | ||
| comradeship (noun) | good fellowship. | ||
| con1 (verb) | (conned, conning) to deceive, to trick (con him into lending her money). | ||
| con2 (noun) | a reason, vote, or position in opposition (make a list of the pros and cons). | ||
| concatenation | Collective noun for orgiasts (A concatenation of orgiasts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| concave (adjective) | hollow, curved inward (like a bowl). | ||
| conceal (verb) | to hide, to keep from others (conceal the money/conceal his feelings). | ||
| concealment (noun) | act of concealing. | ||
| concede (verb) | 1 to admit as true (conceding that we may be wrong). 2 to give up (conceded his right to a part of his father’s estate). n concession. | ||
| conceit (noun) | 1 too high an opinion of oneself. 2 (formal) a fanciful or imaginative idea (a poem full of conceits). | ||
| conceited (adjective) | too proud of oneself, vain (so conceited that she couldn’t imagine losing the contest). | ||
| conceivable (adjective) | able to be thought of or imagined (it was hardly conceivable that they were still alive). | ||
| conceive (verb) | 1 to grasp clearly with the mind. 2 to imagine. 3 to become pregnant. | ||
| concentrate (verb) | 1 to bring together to one point. 2 to bring all the powers of the mind to bear on. 3 to make a substance stronger by reducing its volume. 4 to pack tightly. n a concentrated substance. n concentration | ||
| concentric (adjective) | having the same centre (concentric circles). | ||
| concept (noun) | a general idea (scientific concepts). adj conceptual | ||
| conception (noun) | 1 act of conceiving. 2 an idea. | ||
| concern (verb) | 1 to have to do with (the problem concerns all of us). 2 to take interest (concern themselves in other people’s business). 3 (formal) to be anxious about (his absence concerned us). n 1 an affair (his financial concerns). 2 interest (of little concern to other people). 3 anxiety (the invalid’s condition is giving cause for concern). 4 a business (a profitable concern). | ||
| concerning (preposition) | having to do with, about (problems concerning work). | ||
| concert (noun) | a musical entertainment. | ||
| concerted (adjective) | planned together, worked out together (a concerted effort). | ||
| concertina (noun) | a musical wind instrument similar to an accordian but with buttons instead of a keyboard. | ||
| concerto (noun) | a musical composition for a solo player accompanied by an orchestra. | ||
| concession (noun) | 1 the act of giving up (the concession of his claim to his father’s estate). 2 a thing conceded, a favor (he always wore jeans, but as a concession to his mother he agreed to wear a suit to the wedding). | ||
| conch (noun) | the large, spiral seashell of certain shellfish. | ||
| Conchology | study of shells (see list of branches of science) | ||
| conciliate (verb) | 1 (formal) to make less angry or more friendly (try to conciliate her by bringing her some flowers). 2 to create peace between (conciliate the two parties in the argument). | ||
| conciliation (noun) | the bringing together in peace or friendship of those who have quarreled (attempts at conciliation between the two sides). | ||
| conciliatory (adjective) | calming, peace-making (some conciliatory words). | ||
| concise (adjective) | short and to the point, brief (a concise account of the events). n conciseness | ||
| conclave | Collective noun for cardinals (A conclave of cardinals) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| conclave (noun) | 1 in Roman Catholicism, the meeting of cardinals to choose a new pope. 2 a meeting held in private (a meeting in conclave). | ||
| conclude (noun) | 1 (formal) to end, to bring to an end (conclude the meeting). 2 to arrange, to settle on (concluding an agreement). 3 to come to believe after consideration of the facts (after hearing the evidence, we conclude that he is guilty). | ||
| conclusion (noun) | 1 (formal) end (at the conclusion of the meeting). 2 the idea finally reached after thinking something out (come to the conclusion that he was innocent). | ||
| conclusive (adjective) | convincing, putting an end to doubt (conclusive evidence). | ||
| concoct (verb) | 1 to make by mixing (concocting something for dinner). 2 to make up, invent (concocted an excuse for being late). | ||
| concoction (noun) | something, such as food or drink, made by mixing several things. | ||
| concomitant (adjective) | (formal) accompanying, going together (an important job and its concomitant responsibilities). Also n. | ||
| concord (noun) | (formal) 1 agreement (little concord among the committee members). 2 peace and friendship (neighboring countries living in concord). | ||
| concordance (noun) | 1 agreement. 2 an alphabetical list of the most important words used in a book or by a writer and exactly where they can be found. | ||
| concordat (noun) | a treaty, a formal agreement. | ||
| concourse (noun) | 1 a large, open space for people (the railway station concourse). 2 (formal) a gathering, a crowd. | ||
| concrete (adjective) | 1 solid, having a real bodily existence (unlike an idea) (concrete evidence). 2 definite (no concrete plans). n a mixture of cement, sand, and gravel with water. | ||
| concur (verb) | (concurred , concurring ) 1 to happen at the same time. 2 to agree (we concurred with their plans). | ||
| concurrence (noun) | 1 happening together at the same place. 2 (formal) agreement (the concurrence of their opinions). | ||
| concurrent (adjective) | 1 in agreement. 2 happening at the same time (concurrent events con-cur-ent-lee/. | ||
| concussion (noun) | 1 a violent shaking. 2 an injury that affects the function of an organ, especially the brain, as a result of a violent blow or impact (had a concussion when he fell on the concrete floor). | ||
| condemn (verb) | 1 to blame. 2 to find guilty. 3 to name a punishment for a guilty person. n condemnation | ||
| condemnatory (adjective) | laying the blame on. | ||
| condense (verb) | 1 to make shorter or smaller (condense his original speech into a few sentences). 2 to make a substance more solid (e.g. to change vapor into liquid). n condensation | ||
| condescend (verb) | to descend to the level, regarded as lower, of the person or people with whom one is dealing, usually in an ungracious, proud manner (she condescended to speak to the workers). adj condescending n condescension | ||
| condiment (noun) | a seasoning, sauce, or relish eaten with food to bring out its flavor or enhance its taste (salt and pepper and other condiments). | ||
| condition (noun) | 1 state (furniture in poor condition he can go on condition that he reports to the police). | ||
| conditional (adjective) | depending on something else happening (a conditional acceptance to university/an acceptance to the university conditional on his passing his exams). | ||
| condolence (noun) | (often pl) expression of sympathy (please express our condolences to the widow). | ||
| condone (verb) | to forgive, to pardon, to overlook a wrong (they condoned his bad behavior because of his unhappy home life). | ||
| condor (noun) | a large vulture with black feathers, a bald head and neck, and soft, white feathers at the base of the neck. | ||
| conducive (adjective) | helping to produce, leading (circumstances not conducive to good health). | ||
| conduct (verb) | 1 to lead, to guide (conduct us to our seats). 2 to carry (pipes conducting water). 3 to direct (conducted the orchestra). 4 (formal) to behave (conduct oneself well). n behavior. | ||
| conductor (noun) | 1 the director of an orchestra. 2 the person who takes the fares on a bus. 3 a substance that passes on heat or electricity to something else. f conductress | ||
| conduit (noun) | 1 a pipe or channel made to carry fluids. 2 tubing or piping that protects electric wires. | ||
| cone (noun) | 1 a figure with a circular base and a pointed top. 2 the fruit of pines and firs. 3 any object shaped like a cone (an ice-cream cone). | ||
| confection (noun) | 1 the process of making something by mixing. 2 candy or other sweet treat. | ||
| confectionary (adjective) | of or like a confection, of confectioners or their work. | ||
| confectioner (noun) | a person whose work is making or selling candy and sweets. | ||
| confectionery (noun) | 1 candy or other sweet treats. 2 the business or work of a confectioner. 3 a candy store. | ||
| confederacy | Collective noun for dunces (A confederacy of dunces) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| confederate (adjective) | joined together by agreement or common purpose (confederate nations). n 1 a supporter, a helper, often in wrongdoing (the bully and his confederates). 2 (cap) a Southern supporter of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War (1860–1865). | ||
| confederation (noun) | a group of states or nations that have agreed to act together. | ||
| confer (verb) | (conferred, conferring) 1 to talk together (conferring over the plans). 2 to give (confer an honor on him). | ||
| conference (noun) | a meeting held to discuss matters (an international conference on the environment). | ||
| confess (verb) | to own up, to admit fault or guilt (confess to the crime/confess one’s sins). | ||
| confession (noun) | the act of confessing, an account of the wrong one has done (make a confession to the police). | ||
| confessional (noun) | in a Roman Catholic Church, the small room where a priest hears confessions. | ||
| confessor (noun) | 1 a person who confesses. 2 in the Roman Catholic Church, a priest who hears confessions. | ||
| confetti (noun) | small pieces of colored paper thrown during celebrations. | ||
| confidant (noun) | a person trusted with a secret. f confidante. | ||
| confide (verb) | to give or tell something to a person one trusts (confide her personal problems to a friend/confide in a friend). | ||
| confidence (noun) | 1 trust (gain his confidence). 2 belief in one’s own abilities (lose one’s confidence). | ||
| confident (adjective) | having no fear of failure (confident competitors con-fi-dent-lee/. | ||
| confidential (adjective) | 1 trusted (a confidential secretary). 2 secret (confidential information). adv confidentially | ||
| confiding (adjective) | trusting (a confiding nature). | ||
| configuration (noun) | (formal) shape that is determined by the arrangement of various parts. | ||
| configure (verb) | to arrange in a certain way. | ||
| confine (verb) | 1 to shut up (confine prisoners in a cell). 2 to keep within limits (confine yourself to subjects that you know about). n a limit, a boundary. | ||
| confinement (noun) | 1 imprisonment (sentenced to a confinement of five years). 2 childbirth. | ||
| confirm (verb) | 1 to say that something is undoubtedly certain or true (confirm her alibi). 2 to give final approval to (confirmed his appointment as governor). | ||
| confirmation (noun) | 1 proof (receive confirmation of his innocence). 2 the ceremony by which one becomes a full member of certain churches. | ||
| confirmed (adjective) | settled, habitual (a confirmed bachelor). | ||
| confiscate (verb) | to seize a person’s private property, especially as a punishment (officials confiscating illegal drugs con-fi-skay-shun/. | ||
| conflagrant (adjective) | burning. | ||
| conflagration | Collective noun for fireflies (A conflagration of fireflies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| conflagration (noun) | (formal) a big, destructive fire. | ||
| conflict (noun) | 1 a state of disagreement (unions in conflict with management). 2 a fight (armed conflict). vb to disagree, to clash (modern ideas that conflict with traditional ones). | ||
| conflicting (adjective) | 1 going against each other, fighting, or quarrelling (on conflicting sides). 2 clashing, disagreeing (conflicting opinions). | ||
| confluence (noun) | 1 a flowing together. 2 the meeting of streams. adj confluent | ||
| conform (verb) | 1 to act or think like most other people, to accept the laws and practices of the time or place (people who want to rebel don’t conform to society). 2 to obey, to be in accordance with (conform to school rules/conform to safety standards). | ||
| conformation (noun) | the way in which a thing is put together; shape (the conformation of the crystal). | ||
| conformity (noun) | 1 behavior, attitudes, etc, that are the same as most people’s. 2 agreement, obedience (in conformity with the law/not in conformity with safety standards). | ||
| confound (verb) | 1 to defeat completely. 2 to confuse, to mix up. | ||
| confront (verb) | to meet face to face (confront the enemy con-fron-tay-shun/. | ||
| confuse (verb) | 1 to put into disorder, to muddle (confuse the arrangements/confuse the argument). 2 to puzzle, to bewilder (confused by the questions on the form). 3 to mistake one person or thing for another (confuse the two sisters). | ||
| confusion (noun) | 1 disorder (a room in total confusion). 2 puzzlement, bewilderment (confusion over the meaning of the word). | ||
| confute (verb) | to prove (someone) wrong, to prove untrue (confute their argument con-fyu-tay-shun/. | ||
| congeal (verb) | 1 to become thick by cooling or freezing. 2 to become solid and stiff (blood congeals). | ||
| congenial (adjective) | 1 having the same likes and dislikes (a congenial companion). 2 pleasing (a congenial climate). | ||
| congenital (adjective) | existing from birth (a congenital brain defect). | ||
| conger (noun) | a saltwater eel with a long fin on its back, sharp teeth, and powerful jaws. | ||
| congeries | Collective noun for wizards (A congeries of wizards) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| congested (adjective) | 1 overcrowded (congested roads). 2 too full of blood or mucus (congested arteries con-jess-chun/. | ||
| conglomerate | Collective noun for geologists (A conglomerate of geologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| conglomerate (adjective) | stuck together in a lump. n 1 a cluster. 2 a rock made up of different kinds of pebbles sticking together. 3 a large corporation formed by merging several different firms (an international conglomerate). | ||
| conglomeration (noun) | a mixed collection (a conglomeration of old toys). | ||
| congratulate (verb) | to express pleasure at another’s success, a happy event, etc (congratulate him on getting onto the football team con-gra-chu-lay-shun con-gra-chu-la-tore-ree/. | ||
| congregate (verb) | to meet, to form a crowd (the people congregated in the town hall). | ||
| congregation | Collective noun for alligators (A congregation of alligators) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| congregation | Collective noun for churchgoers (A congregation of churchgoers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| congregation | Collective noun for plovers (A congregation of plovers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| congregation | Collective noun for worshipers (A congregation of worshipers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| congregation (noun) | a gathering of people, especially at a church service. | ||
| congress (noun) | 1 a formal meeting of statesmen, etc, to settle certain questions. 2 Congress the part of the government that makes laws, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. adj congressional | ||
| congruent (adjective) | suitable, agreeing (behavior congruent with his position). n congruity | ||
| congruous (adjective) | suitable, agreeing (punishment congruous with the crime). | ||
| conic, conical (adjective) | cone-shaped. | ||
| conifer (noun) | a cone-bearing tree. adj coniferous | ||
| conjectural (adjective) | due to guesswork, not certain (opinions that are purely conjectural). | ||
| conjecture (verb) | to guess, to suppose. n guess. | ||
| conjoin (verb) | (formal) to join, unite (conjoin in marriage). | ||
| conjoint (adjective) | (formal) joined, united. adv conjointly | ||
| conjugal (adjective) | having to do with marriage or the relationship between husband and wife (conjugal bonds). | ||
| conjugate | 1 adj joined, especially in a pair, coupled. 2 vb to give the forms (i.e. mood, tense, person, etc) of a verb. n conjugation | ||
| conjunction | Collective noun for grammarians (A conjunction of grammarians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| conjunction (noun) | 1 a connection. 2 in grammar, a joining word, such as “and,” “but,” “or.” adj conjunctive | ||
| conjuncture (noun) | (formal) a combination of events or situations, especially one causing difficulties (a depressing conjuncture in their lives). | ||
| conjure (verb) | 1 to do magic; to do tricks so quickly and skillfully that the onlooker cannot see how they are done. 2 to summon, to cause to appear as if by magic. | ||
| conjurer or conjuror (noun) | one who entertains by doing tricks, one who performs magic (the little girl had a conjuror at her birthday party). | ||
| connect (verb) | 1 to join (connect the two pipes). 2 to see that a thing or idea is related to another, to associate in the mind (he didn’t connect the middle-aged woman with the girl he used to know/the police are connecting the two murders). well-connected related to important or powerful people. | ||
| connection (noun) | 1 something that joins (a loose connection between the two pipes). 2 a relation by blood or marriage. 3 something that makes one think of a certain person, place, event, etc, when one sees another (police making a connection between the crimes). | ||
| Connectomics | study of connectomes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| connive (verb) | 1 to pretend not to see wrongdoing (her parents connived at the girl’s truancy) 2 to cooperate secretly with someone, especially in wrongdoing. n connivance | ||
| connoisseur (noun) | one with expert knowledge of something and the ability to tell what is bad from what is good (a connoisseur of opera). | ||
| connotation (noun) | what is suggested by a word in addition to its actual meaning (“armchair” has connotations of comfort). | ||
| connote (verb) | to suggest in addition to the actual meaning (the word “plump” usually connotes cheerfulness). | ||
| connubial (adjective) | (formal) having to do with marriage or married life (connubial bliss). | ||
| conquer (verb) | 1 to win by war (conquer the neighboring state). 2 to defeat (conquer the enemy cong-ke-ror/. | ||
| conquest (noun) | 1 the act of conquering. 2 a thing gained by force. | ||
| conscience (noun) | one’s sense of right and wrong (she had a bad conscience about her treatment of her friend). | ||
| conscientious (adjective) | careful to do one’s duty (conscientious pupils). n conscientiousness conscientious objector one who, in war, refuses to fight because he or she believes it is wrong to do so. | ||
| conscious (adjective) | 1 knowing what is going on around one (badly hurt but still conscious). 2 aware (conscious that he was being watched). n consciousness | ||
| conscript (noun) | one made by law to serve in the armed services. | ||
| conscription (noun) | the act of making people serve in the armed services by law. | ||
| Consecotaleophobia | fear of chopsticks (see list of phobias) | ||
| consecrate (verb) | 1 to make holy (consecrate a new church). 2 to devote, to set apart (consecrate his life to helping others). n consecration | ||
| consecutive (adjective) | following one after the other, in order (on consecutive days). | ||
| consensus (noun) | general agreement (fail to reach a consensus on the issue). | ||
| consent (verb) | to agree, to give one’s permission (he consented to the operation). n agreement, permission. | ||
| consequence (noun) | 1 a result, an effect (have to face the consequences of their actions). 2 importance (matters of no consequence). | ||
| consequent (adjective) | (formal) following, resulting (his illness and consequent death). | ||
| consequential (adjective) | 1 following upon. 2 self-important. | ||
| conservatism (noun) | dislike of changes, especially in the way of governing. | ||
| conservative (adjective) | 1 disliking change. 2 moderate, cautious, safe. | ||
| conservatory (noun) | 1 a room enclosed in glass often for showing or growing plants; a greenhouse. 2 a school of fine arts, usually music. | ||
| conserve (verb) | 1 to keep something as it is (conserving the environment). 2 to keep from being wasted or spoiled (conserved our supplies). n fruits preserved in sugar, a kind of jam. n conservation | ||
| consider (verb) | 1 to think about (consider what’s best to do). 2 to think seriously (take time to consider before acting). 3 to take into account (consider the effect on others). 4 to regard as (considered him a hero). | ||
| considerable (adjective) | fairly large, great (a considerable amount of money/considerable influence). | ||
| considerate (adjective) | thoughtful for others. | ||
| consideration (noun) | 1 serious thought (give consideration to her future). 2 thought for others and their feelings (show consideration to elderly people). 3 a payment or reward (do the work for a consideration). | ||
| considering (preposition) | allowing for. | ||
| consign (verb) | (formal) 1 to deliver to, to put in the care of another (consign the body to the grave). 2 to send (goods consigned to you by rail). | ||
| consignment (noun) | the goods sent (a consignment of drugs found by police). | ||
| consist (verb) | to be made up of (a stew that consists of beef and vegetables). | ||
| consistency (noun) | 1 degree of thickness or density of liquids (the consistency of the jam). 2 the quality of being consistent. | ||
| consistent (adjective) | 1 fixed, having a regular pattern (show consistent improvement). 2 agreeing with (action consistent with the company’s policy/a statement not consistent with the previous one). 3 always thinking or acting on the same principles (the judge’s punishments are harsh but he is always consistent). | ||
| consolation (noun) | 1 comfort (the recent rains may bring some consolation to those who have suffered during the drought). 2 a person or thing that brings comfort in sorrow or sadness (the new baby was a consolation to the unhappy family). | ||
| console1 (verb) | to comfort (she was consoled by her mother). adj consolatory | ||
| console2 (noun) | a unit, e.g. between the two front seats in a car, containing switches and other electronic controls. | ||
| consolidate (verb) | 1 to make solid or firm, to strengthen (consolidating your present position). 2 to unite or combine into a single whole, to merge (consolidated four small firms into one large one). n consolidation | ||
| consolidation | Collective noun for pulmonologists (A consolidation of pulmonologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| consonance (noun) | (formal) agreement. | ||
| consonant (noun) | a speech sound or letter other than a vowel. adj in agreement with. | ||
| consort (noun) | a partner, a husband or wife (the gentleman’s consort). vb consort (formal) to go out together, to associate with (object to his daughter consorting with criminals). | ||
| consortium | Collective noun for octopuses (A consortium of octopuses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| conspicuous (adjective) | easily seen, very noticeable (she was conspicuous in her red coat). | ||
| conspiracy (noun) | 1 a coming together to plan wrongdoing (arrested on charges of conspiracy). 2 a plot (he uncovered a conspiracy to kill the king). | ||
| conspire (verb) | 1 to plan secretly together to do something wrong or unlawful (terrorists conspiring to bring down the government). 2 to unite (events that conspired to bring about his ruin). n conspirator | ||
| constant (adjective) | 1 never stopping (constant noise con-stan-see/. | ||
| constantly (adverb) | 1 again and again, nearly always, regularly (children constantly nagging). 2 without stopping (lights burning constantly). | ||
| constellation (noun) | a group of stars, usually named for an object or animal that it resembles. | ||
| consternation | Collective noun for mothers (A consternation of mothers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| consternation (noun) | great surprise, dismay (to our great consternation our team lost). | ||
| constipated (adjective) | having difficulty in clearing the bowels. | ||
| constipation (noun) | a condition in which clearing the bowels is difficult. | ||
| constituency | Collective noun for voters (A constituency of voters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| constituency (noun) | the people of a district who vote for a representative. | ||
| constituent (adjective) | being part of, forming (the constituent parts of the machine). n 1 a necessary part (a constituent of the chemical compound). 2 a member of a constituency (a meeting of the politician’s constituents). | ||
| constitute (verb) | 1 (formal) to be (his dismissal constitutes a breach of the rules). 2 to make up, to form (twelve months constitute one year/five people constitute the committee). | ||
| constitution (noun) | 1 the way something is made up (the constitution of the committee). 2 the general health of the body (have a strong constitution). 3 the body of law with which a country is governed. 4 (cap) the document containing the fundamental laws and rights of the citizens of the United States. | ||
| constitutional (adjective) | having to do with the laws of a country. n (old) a short walk taken to improve the health. | ||
| constrain (verb) | to force, to compel (you must not feel constrained to go/I feel constrained to write and complain). | ||
| constraint (noun) | 1 force, compulsion (leave only under constraint). 2 a limit (no constraints on your freedom). 3 strained manner, lack of friendliness (aware of a certain constraint between the two people). | ||
| constrict (verb) | 1 to make smaller or narrower, to make tight (a drug constricting blood vessels). 2 to prevent free movement (constricted by lack of money). n constriction | ||
| constrictor (noun) | a large snake that crushes its prey. | ||
| construct (verb) | 1 to build (construct a new building). 2 to make by putting the parts together (construct an idea). | ||
| construction (noun) | 1 act of constructing. 2 the thing constructed (a large construction). 3 the way of arranging words to give a certain meaning. 4 (formal) meaning (what construction do you put on his statement?). | ||
| constructive (adjective) | useful and helpful (constructive criticism). | ||
| construe (verb) | 1 to translate into another language. 2 to explain, to interpret (construing his remark as an insult). | ||
| consul (noun) | a person appointed to look after the interests of his or her country in a foreign country. | ||
| consular (adjective) | having to do with a consul. | ||
| consulate (noun) | the office of a consul. | ||
| consult (verb) | 1 to ask advice, information, or help from (consult a doctor). 2 to discuss matters with (consult his partners). 3 to look up (consult a dictionary). n consultation | ||
| consultant (noun) | one able to advise, especially a doctor who is an expert in a particular branch of medicine (a chest consultant). | ||
| consume (verb) | 1 to eat (consume quantities of chocolate). 2 to use up (consume our supply of firewood). 3 to destroy, to waste (a building consumed by fire). | ||
| consumer (noun) | one who buys or uses (consumers’ rights). | ||
| consummate (verb) | to finish, to make complete or perfect (the award consummated his life’s work). adj complete, perfect (a consummate performance). n consummation | ||
| consumption (noun) | 1 the act of using. 2 the amount used (low electricity consumption). 3 (old) a disease of the lungs (tuberculosis). | ||
| consumptive (adjective) | suffering from the disease of consumption (tuberculosis). Also n. | ||
| contact (noun) | 1 touch (come into contact with dangerous chemicals/in contact with someone with measles). 2 communication (keep in contact with old friends). vb to get in touch with, to communicate with (contact her by phone). | ||
| contact lens (noun) | a small round piece of thin plastic or glass placed on the front of the eye to help the wearer see better. | ||
| Contact mechanics | study of the deformation of solids that touch each other (see list of branches of science) | ||
| contagious (adjective) | 1 (of disease) transmissible by direct or indirect contact (a contagious disease). 2 spreading from one to another; infectious (a contagious smile). n contagion | ||
| contain (verb) | 1 to have in it (a bucket containing a gallon of water). 2 to keep control of (contain the fire). | ||
| container (noun) | anything made to hold something else in it (a plant container). | ||
| contaminate (verb) | to make dirty, infected, or impure; to pollute (chemical waste contaminating the water). n contamination | ||
| contemn (verb) | (old or lit) to look down on, to despise. | ||
| contemplate (verb) | 1 to look at thoughtfully (contemplating the bottom of his glass). 2 to think deeply about (contemplated her future). 3 to think of doing (contemplate moving). n contemplation | ||
| contemplative (adjective) | 1 thoughtful (in a contemplative mood). 2 spending a lot of time in prayer. | ||
| contemporary (adjective) | 1 belonging to the same time (contemporary musicians/a contemporary record of the war). 2 modern (contemporary styles). n one who lives at the same time as another (a contemporary of Bach). | ||
| contempt (noun) | the feeling that another person or thing is worthless and to be looked down on; scorn (he showed his contempt for unsuccessful people). | ||
| contemptible (adjective) | deserving to be looked down on (contemptible behavior). | ||
| contemptuous (adjective) | showing contempt or scorn (a contemptuous smile). | ||
| contend (verb) | 1 to struggle against (contend against financial difficulties). 2 to compete (contending for the trophy). 3 to maintain, to state (contended that he was innocent). n contender | ||
| content1 (noun) | that which is in something else (the content of his speech). | ||
| content2 (adjective) | satisfied, pleased, not wanting more than one has (content with their humble way of life con-tent-ment/. | ||
| contention (noun) | 1 disagreement, argument (much contention in the town about the new road). 2 competition (in contention for the trophy). 3 an opinion (his contention is that he is innocent). | ||
| contentious (adjective) | quarrelsome (contentious neighbors). | ||
| contest (verb) | 1 to try to prove wrong (contest the will). 2 to try hard to gain (contest the boxing title). n 1 a struggle (a contest for promotion). 2 a competition (an athletics contest). | ||
| contestant (noun) | one who contests (the contestants in the quiz show). | ||
| context (noun) | 1 the parts of a sentence, book, paragraph, etc, surrounding a word or meaning (took the quotation out of context). 2 circumstances, the whole situation, background, or environment to a particular event (in the context of his unhappy childhood). | ||
| contiguous (adjective) | (formal) touching, next to, neighboring (his farm and contiguous fields). n contiguity | ||
| continence (noun) | self-control. | ||
| continent1 (adjective) | able to control oneself. | ||
| continent2 (noun) | one of the large land masses in the world (e.g. Africa). | ||
| continental (adjective) | having to do with a continent. | ||
| contingency (noun) | something that may happen but is not certain to do so (prepared for all possible contingencies). | ||
| contingent (adjective) | 1 happening only if something else happens first (success contingent upon hard work). 2 accidental (contingent advantages). n a body of soldiers, scouts, etc. | ||
| continual (adjective) | 1 going on all the time (live in continual fear). 2 happening again and again, repeated (continual interruptions). | ||
| continuance (noun) | the going on or lasting of. | ||
| continuation (noun) | 1 act of going on or carrying on. 2 something that continues from something else (this is a continuation of the street where they live). | ||
| continue (verb) | 1 to go on doing (continue working although in pain). 2 to carry on with later (continue with his work after dinner). 3 to go or move further (the forest continuing as far as one can see). 4 to remain (continued in the same job). | ||
| continuity (noun) | uninterrupted connection, a series, the fact or quality of being continuous (ensure continuity of supplies). | ||
| continuous (adjective) | 1 never stopping (continuous noise). 2 unbroken (a continuous line). | ||
| contort (verb) | to twist out of shape (his face contorted in rage). | ||
| contortion (noun) | 1 act of twisting. 2 a twisting of the body. | ||
| contortionist (noun) | one who entertains people by twisting his or her body into strange shapes; an acrobat. | ||
| contour (noun) | 1 an outline, a shape (the smooth contours of the sculpture). 2 a line drawn on a map through all places of the same height. | ||
| contraband (noun) | 1 goods that it is forbidden by law to bring into the country. 2 goods brought into the country against the law. adj (of goods) forbidden by law. | ||
| contract (verb) | 1 to arrange by agreement (contract to build the house). 2 to make or become smaller or shorter (metals contract as they cool). 3 to begin to have (contract a fatal illness). n a legal written agreement (sign a contract). | ||
| contraction (noun) | 1 the act of becoming smaller or shorter. 2 a shortened form (“I’m” is a contraction of “I am”/muscles contract when they are being used). | ||
| contractor (noun) | one who undertakes to do certain jobs (a building contractor). | ||
| contradict (verb) | 1 to say the opposite (his story contradicts hers). 2 to say that something is not true (she contradicted what he said about the accident). n contradiction | ||
| contradictory (adjective) | saying the opposite (contradictory statements). | ||
| contralto (noun) | 1 a low female singing voice. 2 a singer with a voice in this range. Also adj. | ||
| contraption (noun) | an unusual machine or instrument (an inventor always building strange contraptions). | ||
| contrariety, contrariness (noun) | opposition. | ||
| contrary (adjective) | 1 opposite (hold contrary opinions con-tray-ree con-tra-ree/ the opposite (on the contrary). | ||
| contrast (verb) | 1 to put things together to show clearly the differences between them (contrast their neat garden with our sloppy one). 2 to appear very different from (a black dress contrasting with her blonde hair). n a clear difference. | ||
| contravene (verb) | to go against (a law or rule); to conflict with. n contravention | ||
| Contreltophobia | fear of sexual abuse (see list of phobias) | ||
| contribute (verb) | 1 to give part of what is needed (contributing to her going-away present con-tri-byoo-shun con-tri-byu-ter/. | ||
| contributory (adjective) | giving a share, helping. | ||
| contrite (adjective) | showing or feeling guilt or sorrow for something one has done (a contrite apology). n contrition | ||
| contrive (verb) | 1 to succeed in, usually with difficulty (contriving to hold a surprise party for her). 2 to succeed in bringing about, usually with difficulty (contrived a meeting between the two rivals). | ||
| control (noun) | 1 power over the movements and actions of another person or thing (a country under the control of a tyrant). 2 power over one’s own thoughts and feelings (especially self-control) (keep her temper under control). 3 pl those parts of a machine that start, stop, or change the movement of all other parts (the controls of the plane). vb (controlled , controlling ) 1 to have power or authority over (controlled the whole department). 2 to direct the movements of (control the car). 3 to hold back, to restrain (control yourself). 4 to regulate, to cause to keep to a fixed standard (control prices). n controller | ||
| control tower (noun) | an airport building from which messages are sent by radio to aircraft, telling them when, where, and how it is safe to land or take off. | ||
| controversial (adjective) | causing disagreement, discussion, argument (a controversial decision). | ||
| controversy (noun) | disagreement, discussion, argument (there has been a lot of controversy over the decision to close the local school). | ||
| controvert (verb) | to argue or reason against (a statement that cannot be controverted). | ||
| conundrum (noun) | a riddle or puzzle, often one whose answer is a play on words. | ||
| convalesce (verb) | to recover gradually after an illness (home from hospital to convalesce). n convalescence adj and n convalescent | ||
| convection (noun) | warming by the spreading of heat from a portion of water or air to that surrounding it until a current of warmth is set up. | ||
| convector (noun) | a heater that works by convection. | ||
| convene (verb) | 1 to call together (convened a meeting). 2 to meet (the committee is convening). | ||
| convener (noun) | 1 one who calls members to a meeting. 2 the chairman of a committee. | ||
| convenience (noun) | 1 quality of being convenient or suitable (come at your convenience the convenience of her kitchen). 2 comfort (a house full of modern conveniences). | ||
| convenient (adjective) | 1 suitable, not causing trouble or difficulty (find a convenient date). 2 easy to reach, accessible (a house convenient for the train station). 3 easy to use or manage (the business was a convenient size). | ||
| convent (noun) | a community of nuns or sometimes monks living under strict religious vows. adj conventual | ||
| convention (noun) | 1 a large meeting called for a special purpose (a convention on mental health). 2 an agreement (a convention to ban nuclear weapons). 3 a way of behaving that has been in use for so long that it is regarded as necessary; a custom (a common convention when meeting someone new is to shake hands/a matter of convention). | ||
| conventional (adjective) | 1 following convention (a conventional way of behaving). 2 accepting the manners and ideas of others, not original (a very conventional person). | ||
| converge (verb) | to move from different directions toward one point (converging on the town from all directions). n convergence adj convergent | ||
| conversant (adjective) | having knowledge of (not conversant with modern methods). | ||
| conversation (noun) | talk, speech with others. | ||
| conversational (adjective) | having to do with talk or speech with others (in conversational tones). | ||
| conversationalist (noun) | one who is good at talking easily with others. | ||
| converse1 (verb) | (formal) to talk together. | ||
| converse2 (noun) | the exact opposite (the converse of what he says is true). Also adj. | ||
| conversely (adverb) | looked at in the opposite way. | ||
| conversion (noun) | a change, especially in belief or way of life (his conversion to Christianity). | ||
| convert (verb) | 1 to change from one state or form to another (coal converted to gas convert dollars to pounds). 2 to get another to change his or her ideas, especially on religion. n one who has changed his or her beliefs or way of life. | ||
| convertible (adjective) | able to be changed into something else (a sofa convertible to a bed/a convertible sofa). n a car whose roof rolls or folds back so that the driver and passengers are riding in open air. | ||
| converting | Collective noun for preachers (A converting of preachers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| convex (adjective) | curved outwards (like a bowl when upside down). n convexity | ||
| convey (verb) | 1 to carry, to take from one place to another (pipes conveying oil trucks conveying food). 2 to pass (e.g. property) from one person to another. 3 to make known (convey our apologies to our hostess). | ||
| conveyance (noun) | 1 any means of transport that carries people or things (go by public conveyance rather than private car). 2 the document by which property is passed from one person to another. | ||
| conveyancing (noun) | the preparing of the papers to make a change in ownership lawful. | ||
| convict (verb) | to prove guilty, especially in a court of law (convict him of robbery with). n a person imprisoned for a crime. | ||
| conviction (noun) | 1 a proving of guilt (he appealed against his conviction). 2 a strong belief (a woman of strong convictions). | ||
| convince (verb) | to persuade a person that something is true (convincing the teacher of his innocence/I am convinced he is lying). | ||
| convincing (adjective) | 1 able to convince (a convincing argument). 2 clear (a convincing victory). | ||
| convivial (adjective) | 1 having to do with a feast or festive activity. 2 fond of eating, drinking, and good company. n conviviality | ||
| convocation | Collective noun for eagles (A convocation of eagles) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| convocation (noun) | a meeting, especially for religious or academic purposes. | ||
| convoke (verb) | to call together. | ||
| convolution (noun) | 1 a twisting or winding together (a carving with curves and convolutions). 2 complication (the convolutions of the plot). adj convolute vb convolve | ||
| convoy | Collective noun for trucks (A convoy of trucks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| convoy | Collective noun for vehicles (A convoy of vehicles) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| convoy (verb) | to go with to protect (a warship convoying ships across the Atlantic/parents convoying children to and from school). n 1 warships accompanying other ships to protect them. 2 the ships so protected. 3 a number of army wagons traveling together for protection. | ||
| convulse (verb) | 1 to shake violently (convulsing with laughter). 1 to agitate, to disturb (a country convulsed with revolution). | ||
| convulsion (noun) | a fit, shaking (go into convulsions/suffer from convulsions). | ||
| convulsive (adjective) | sudden and jerky (convulsive movements). | ||
| coo (verb) | to make a soft, murmuring sound as a dove would; to speak gently and lovingly. Also n. | ||
| cook (verb) | to prepare food by heating it. n one who prepares food for eating. | ||
| cookery (noun) | the art, practice, or work of preparing food. | ||
| cookie (noun) | 1 a small, sweet cake, usually either crispy or chewy. 2 a small file placed on a computer by a website or online service to store information about the user. | ||
| cool (adjective) | 1 slightly cold, pleasantly cold (a cool drink on a hot day). 2 calm, not easily excited (keep cool in difficult situations). vb 1 to make or become colder (drinks cooling in the fridge). 2 to become calmer or less interested (she was very angry but she’s cooled down). n coolness. | ||
| coolly (adverb) | calmly, without excitement. | ||
| coop (noun) | a cage for hens or other small animals (a chicken coop). vb to shut up in a small space (cooped up in a small office). | ||
| cooper (noun) | one who makes or repairs barrels. | ||
| cooperate, co-operate (verb) | to work or act together (pupils cooperating on a project co-op-er-ay-shun/. | ||
| cooperative, co-operative (adjective) | 1 willing to work with others, helpful (the cooperative attitude of the staff). 2 made, done, etc, by people working together (a cooperative effort/a cooperative farm). Also n. | ||
| co-opt (verb) | to elect into a society or committee by the votes of the members. | ||
| coordinate, co-ordinate (verb) | to make things work or happen together for the same purpose (coordinate her movements coordinate our efforts). npl coordinates figures that indicate a position on a map or squared paper. n coordination, co-ordination | ||
| coot (noun) | a duck-like freshwater bird. | ||
| cope1 (noun) | a cape-like garment worn by a clergyman on certain occasions. | ||
| cope2 (verb) | to deal with, especially successfully (coping with tired children unable to cope with his work). | ||
| coping (noun) | the top row of stones, bricks, or concrete on a wall, usually sloped to carry off water. | ||
| copious (adjective) | plentiful (copious supplies of food). | ||
| copper (noun) | 1 a reddish brown metal, used to make pennies. 2 a large metal container. | ||
| copperplate (noun) | 1 a plate of copper on which something has been engraved. 2 a print made from this. | ||
| Coprastasophobia | fear of constipation (see list of phobias) | ||
| Coprology | study of feces (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Coprophobia | fear of feces or defecation (see list of phobias) | ||
| copse, coppice (noun) | a group of small trees or bushes growing close together. | ||
| copy (noun) | 1 a thing done or made in exactly the same way as another (keep a copy of the letter/this picture is not by Picasso—it is a copy). 2 a single example of a newspaper, magazine, book, etc (order several copies of the book). 3 written material given to the printer for printing. vb to imitate, to make a copy of. | ||
| copyright (noun) | the right, given to one person a team of people or publisher only, to reproduce and sell a particular book, musical work, or picture for a certain number of years. | ||
| coquette (noun) | a woman who flirts. adj coquettish | ||
| coracle (noun) | a boat made of basketwork or wicker and covered with animal skins. | ||
| coral (noun) | a rock-like deposit found under the sea that consists of skeletons secreted by tiny creatures. | ||
| cord | Collective noun for wood (A cord of wood) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cord | Collective noun for woodwinds (A cord of woodwinds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cord (noun) | 1 a thin rope; a thick string (tie the box up with cord). 2 a length of electrical cable attached to an electrical device. 3 a part of the body resembling this (the spinal cord/vocal cords). | ||
| cordial (adjective) | 1 very friendly (a cordial welcome). 2 heartfelt (cordial thanks). n a refreshing drink. | ||
| cordiality (noun) | friendliness (greet his guests with great cordiality). | ||
| cordon (noun) | a line of soldiers, police, etc, formed to prevent people from entering an area (crowds kept back from the accident by a police cordon). vb to surround with a cordon (police cordoned off the area around the house held by the gunman). | ||
| corduroy (noun) | a strong cotton cloth with raised, cord-like lines running from one end to the other (pants made of brown corduroy). | ||
| core (noun) | 1 the central part of a fruit in which the seeds are stored (apple core). 2 the innermost part, the most important part (the core of the problem). | ||
| cork (noun) | 1 the cork tree or its bark. 2 a stopper made from cork (the cork from a wine bottle). vb to stop a bottle with a cork. | ||
| corkscrew (noun) | an instrument for taking the cork out of a bottle. | ||
| corn1 (noun) | 1 a small, hard seed or seed-like fruit, kernel (peppercorn). 2 the seeds of some cereal plants, especially wheat or oats. 3 maize, sweetcorn. vb to put salt on or soak in salt water to preserve (corned beef). | ||
| corn2 (noun) | a hard, painful growth of skin on the toe or foot. | ||
| corncob (noun) | the woody core of an ear of corn where the kernels grow. | ||
| cornea (noun) | the clear covering of the eyeball. | ||
| corner (noun) | 1 the meeting place of two walls (a table standing in the corner). 2 a bend in a road. 3 a difficult position (he is in a tight corner financially). vb 1 to drive into a position from which there is no escape (police succeeded in cornering the escaped prisoner). 2 to put into a difficult situation (corner the politician by asking awkward questions). 3 to gain total control of (corner the market in pine furniture). | ||
| cornerstone (noun) | 1 a stone put at the corner of the foundation of a new building. 2 something very important, something on which everything is based (the cornerstone of the firm’s success. | ||
| cornet (noun) | a musical instrument similar to a trumpet. | ||
| cornflower (noun) | a plant with white, pink, or blue flowers that form a round head at the top of the stem. | ||
| cornice (noun) | 1 a plaster decoration running along the top of a wall of a room (a cornice of flowers). 2 an ornamental line of stone sticking out at the top of a wall of a building. | ||
| cornstarch (noun), | also cornflour (British spelling) a fine maize flour (thicken the sauce with cornstarch). | ||
| cornucopia | Collective noun for slugs (A cornucopia of slugs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| corollary (noun) | something that must be true if another thing is proved true. | ||
| coronation (noun) | the crowning of a king or queen. | ||
| coroner (noun) | an officer of the law who determines the cause of death when it is not obviously due to natural causes (a case sent to the coroner). | ||
| corporal1 (adjective) | (formal) having to do with the body. corporal punishment punishing by beating the body (in some countries corporal punishment is quite common). | ||
| corporal2 (noun) | an officer in the military. | ||
| corporate (adjective) | 1 forming one group (several individuals forming a corporate body). 2 of or shared by all the members of a group (corporate responsibility). adv corporately | ||
| corporation (noun) | a group of people allowed by the law to act as one person in certain cases (e.g. in business matters). | ||
| corps | Collective noun for anatomists (A corps of anatomists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| corps (noun) | 1 a large body of soldiers, a division of an army. 2 a group of people working together for one purpose (the Peace Corps). | ||
| corpse (noun) | the dead body of a person. | ||
| corpulent (adjective) | (formal) fat, stout (Santa Claus is corpulent and jolly person). n corpulence | ||
| corral (noun) | 1 an enclosure for horses or cattle. 2 (old) a defensive area made by drawing up covered wagons to form a circle in which to take cover from attackers. | ||
| correct (adjective) | right, having no mistakes (the correct spelling). vb 1 to set right, to remove mistakes from (correct her spelling). 2 to point out or mark mistakes (corrected the student’s homework). n correctness | ||
| correction (noun) | 1 act of correcting. 2 the right thing put in place of a mistake (she had to write all her corrections in red). | ||
| corrective (adjective) | putting right or improving what is wrong (corrective treatment/corrective punishment). Also n. | ||
| correspond (verb) | 1 to write letters to (I have corresponded with a friend overseas for many years). 2 to fit in with, to agree with (your written statement does not correspond with your spoken one). 3 to be like, to be the equal of (the elephant’s trunk corresponding to the human nose). | ||
| correspondence (noun) | 1 all the letters a person or office sends or receives. 2 likeness. | ||
| correspondent (noun) | 1 one who writes letters to another (the two old friends have been correspondents for many years). 2 one who makes special reports for a newspaper or a news broadcast (a foreign correspondent). | ||
| corresponding (adjective) | like or similar. | ||
| corridor (noun) | an indoor passage or hallway (several doors leading off the hotel corridor). | ||
| corroborate (verb) | to support or confirm the story or idea of another (a statement corroborating other evidence). n corroboration adj corroborative | ||
| corrode (verb) | to eat or wear away slowly (rust corroding the metal). n corrosion | ||
| corrosive (adjective) | able to eat away (acids are corrosive substances). Also n. | ||
| corrugate (verb) | to shape into an uneven, wavy, grooved surface. adj corrugated | ||
| corrupt (verb) | to make or become evil or morally bad (young people corrupted by drug-dealers). adj 1 evil (corrupt drug-dealers). 2 ready to act dishonestly for money (corrupt officials accepting bribes). n corruption adv corruptly | ||
| corset (noun) | a stiff, tight-fitting undergarment (corsets worn by women to make them look slimmer/corsets worn by people with back problems). | ||
| cortege | Collective noun for mourners (A cortege of mourners) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cosmetic (noun) | something used to make the face and/or hair more beautiful (cosmetics such as lipstick). adj 1 intended to improve the appearance (cosmetic surgery following a car accident). 2 dealing only with outside appearances (cosmetic changes to the law). | ||
| Cosmetology | study of cosmetics (see list of branches of science) | ||
| cosmic (adjective) | 1 having to do with the universe. 2 (informal) very great (changes of cosmic proportions). | ||
| Cosmochemistry | study of the chemical composition of matter in the universe and the processes that led to those compositions (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Cosmology | study of the universe (see list of branches of science) | ||
| cosmology (noun) | the study of the universe as a whole. | ||
| cosmopolitan (adjective) | 1 consisting of people from many different parts of the world (a cosmopolitan city). 2 having or showing wide experience of different people and places (a cosmopolitan attitude). | ||
| cosmos (noun) | the whole universe as an orderly system (all the planets in the cosmos). | ||
| cosset (verb) | to treat with great or too much kindness, to pamper (cosseting her by giving her breakfast in bed). | ||
| cost (verb) | (pt, pp cost) 1 to be on sale at a certain price (apples costing 20 cents each). 2 to cause loss or suffering (the battle cost many lives). n 1 the price (the cost of the house). 2 loss (at the cost of many lives). 3 pl the money needed to pay for a lawsuit (lose the case and have to pay costs). | ||
| costly (adjective) | 1 costing a lot of money (costly silk clothes). 2 involving great loss or sacrifice (a costly war). | ||
| costume (noun) | the clothes worn in a special place or at a special time (bathing costume/a Halloween costume). | ||
| costumer (noun) | a person who makes, sells, or rents of costumes. | ||
| cot (noun) | 1 a small bed with high barred sides for a baby or young child. 2 bed that can be folded and stored away, generally used for overnight guests. | ||
| coterie | Collective noun for orchids (A coterie of orchids) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| coterie | Collective noun for prairie dogs (A coterie of prairie dogs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cottage (noun) | a small house. n cottager a person who lives in a cottage. | ||
| cotton (noun) | 1 a soft white substance from the cotton plant. 2 thread or cloth made of cotton. Also adj. | ||
| cotton wool (noun) | raw cotton before it is made into thread or cloth (remove make-up with cotton wool). | ||
| couch (noun) | a sofa; a long piece of furniture on which one lies. vb (formal) to put into words (couch his statement in simple words). | ||
| couchant (adjective) | (of an animal) lying down but on all four paws with the head up (a statue of a lion couchant). | ||
| cougar (noun) | a puma or mountain lion, a large, wild animal of the cat family found in the US. | ||
| cough (verb) | to force air noisily from the throat, often to clear it of some matter, such as dust or phlegm. n 1 a noisy forcing of the air from the throat. 2 an illness marked by frequent coughing (have a bad cough). | ||
| Coulrophobia | fear of clowns (see list of phobias) | ||
| council | Collective noun for members (A council of members) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| council (noun) | a group of people chosen to make decisions, to advise, or to discuss issues affecting a larger number (city council). | ||
| councilor (noun) | a member of a council. | ||
| counsel (noun) | 1 (formal) advice (refuse to listen to his father’s counsel). 2 professional advice given by a counselor (debt counsel). 3 the lawyer who presents a case in a court of law. vb to advise. | ||
| counseling (noun) | the act of listening to people’s difficulties or problems and giving professional advice as to how to cope with them or solve them (They were given counseling after being held hostage). | ||
| counselor (noun) | an adviser, one who gives (professional) advice on a variety of personal problems (a marriage counselor). | ||
| count1 (verb) | 1 to number (count the people as they enter). 2 to consider (she counts him among her friends). 3 to matter (money doesn’t count with her). n a numbering (a count of the votes). | ||
| count2 (noun) | a European nobleman. | ||
| countenance (noun) | (formal) 1 the face (a beautiful countenance). 2 the expression of the face (a fierce countenance). vb (formal) to tolerate, to allow (refuse to countenance such behavior). | ||
| counter (noun) | 1 a person or thing that counts (the counters of votes at elections). 2 a small flat object used in some games to keep score. 3 the table in a shop across which goods are sold. vb to act in order to oppose or defend onself against (counter the enemy attack by bringing in more soldiers). | ||
| counteract (verb) | to undo or prevent the effect of by opposite action (a drug that counteracts the effect of the poison). | ||
| counterattack (noun) | an attack made in reply to an enemy attack. Also vb. | ||
| counterbalance (verb) | to put something of equal weight or importance on the other side (the expense of the project is counterbalanced by its usefulness). | ||
| counterclockwise (adverb) also anti-clockwise (British spelling) | revolving in the direction opposite to the way the hands of a clock would turn | ||
| counterfeit (verb) | 1 to copy or imitate with intent to deceive (accused of counterfeiting $20 bills). 2 (formal) to pretend (counterfeit cheerfulness). adj 1 not real. 2 made alike so as to deceive. 3 pretended. n something copied, not real or true. n counterfeiter | ||
| counterpart (noun) | a person or thing similar to another or having a similar function to another (his counterpart in the opposing team). | ||
| Counterphobia | fear of not being in fearful situations (see list of phobias) | ||
| counterpoint (noun) | (music) the art of arranging two different tunes so that they can be played together. | ||
| countess (noun) | the wife of a count or of an earl. | ||
| countless (adjective) | too many to be counted (countless visitors). | ||
| country (noun) | 1 the land of one nation or people. 2 the land outside and away from towns (a quiet weekend in the country). 3 an area or stretch of land (hilly country). adj having to do with the country rather than the town (country districts). | ||
| countryside | Collective noun for cousins (A countryside of cousins) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| countryside (noun) | country or rural areas (admire the beauty of the countryside). | ||
| county (noun) | a district of a country or state. | ||
| coup (noun) | a sudden successful action (pull off a coup by taking business away from the competition). | ||
| coupé (noun) | a two-door car. | ||
| couple | Collective noun for bottles (A couple of bottles) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| couple | Collective noun for impalas (A couple of impalas) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| couple (noun) | 1 (informal) two. 2 husband and wife 3 two people who are in a committed relationship. vb 1 to join (coupling the carriage to the train/bad weather coupled with illness kept many people away). 2 to link or associate with (their names have been coupled). | ||
| couplet (noun) | two lines of poetry, one after the other, that rhyme. | ||
| coupling (noun) | a joining link, as that between two railway carriages. | ||
| coupon (noun) | a ticket that can be exchanged for money or goods. | ||
| courage (noun) | bravery. | ||
| courageous (adjective) | brave, fearless. | ||
| courier (noun) | 1 a messenger (packages delivered by courier). 2 a guide in charge of a party of travelers. | ||
| course (noun) | 1 the way along which a thing moves or runs (the course of the river/the usual course of events). 2 the ground on which a race is run or golf is played. 3 a number of lectures or lessons given for the same purpose (take a course in English literature). 4 a row or layer, as of bricks in a wall or shingles on a roof. 5 part of a meal served at one time (a meal consisting of three courses). vb 1 to chase. 2 (formal) to move quickly (tears coursing down her cheeks). | ||
| court (noun) | 1 an open area surrounded or partly surrounded by buildings, houses, or walls; a courtyard. 2 a place marked out for tennis, racketball, etc. 3 a king and queen and all their advisors and attendants. 4 the building in which judges hear cases and give decisions. 5 all the judges and officials in a court of law. 6 attentions paid to someone to gain favor (pay court to her in the hope that she would marry him/pay court to wealthy people). vb 1 to pay attention to someone to try and gain the love of. 2 (formal) to try to gain (court the audience’s approval). 3 to act in a way that is likely to bring about (something unpleasant) (court disaster). | ||
| courteous (adjective) | polite, considerate, and respectful (a courteous young man/a courteous reply). | ||
| courtesy (noun) | politeness, good manners (treat people with courtesy/have the courtesy to apologize). | ||
| courtier (noun) | someone who attends the court of a king or queen. | ||
| court-martial (noun) | (pl courts-martial) a military court, with officers acting as judges. vb court-martial (court-martialed, court-martialing) to try by court-martial (court-martialed for taking leave without permission). | ||
| courtship (noun) | courting or wooing in hopes of obtaining love. | ||
| courtyard (noun) | an open space surrounded or partly surrounded by buildings, walls, or houses. | ||
| cousin (noun) | the child of an uncle or aunt, the child of a parent’s brother or sister | ||
| cove (noun) | a small bay or inlet (build sandcastles in a sandy cove). | ||
| coven | Collective noun for vampires (A coven of vampires) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| coven | Collective noun for witches (A coven of witches) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| covenant (noun) | a written agreement (sign a covenant to give money regularly to a charity). vb to enter into written agreement, to promise. | ||
| cover (verb) | 1 to spread over (cover the table with a cloth/the ground covered in snow). 2 to protect (cover her eyes in the sunlight). 3 to wrap (up) (covering her head from the cold). 4 to include (the cost covers the hotel stay and meals). also n. | ||
| covering (noun) | anything that covers (a covering of snow). | ||
| covert (adjective) | secret, hidden (exchange covert glances/the covert activities of the spy). n 1 a shelter. 2 a group of bushes or trees in which hunted birds or animals can hide. | ||
| covet (verb) | to want to have something belonging to another (she coveted her friend’s diamond ring). adj covetous n covetousness | ||
| covey | Collective noun for grouse (A covey of grouse) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| covey | Collective noun for partridges (A covey of partridges) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cow (noun) | the female of certain animals (e.g. of cattle, elephants, whales). | ||
| coward (noun) | one easily frightened in the face of danger. | ||
| cowardice | Collective noun for curs (A cowardice of curs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cowardice (noun) | fear of danger (showed his cowardice in running away). | ||
| cowardly (adjective) | having no bravery, showing fear (too cowardly to admit his mistakes). | ||
| cowboy (noun) | a man who looks after cattle on a ranch on horseback. f cowgirl. | ||
| cower (verb) | to crouch or shrink back out of fear (cowered in a corner as the bully threatened him). | ||
| cowherd (noun) | one who looks after cows. | ||
| coy (adjective) | 1 shy, bashful, especially excessively so. 2 hesitant to give information (coy about her age). adv coyly | ||
| coyote (noun) | a animal of the dog family resembling a small wolf, found in North America. | ||
| cozy (adjective), also cosy | pleasantly comfortable or warm (a cozy room) | ||
| crab (noun) | 1 a sea creature with eight legs and two pincers, a flat shell, and a short, wide belly. 2 the sideways motion of an aircraft. vb to fish for crab (we went crabbing along the coast). | ||
| crab apple (noun) | 1 very small apples growing wild or grown for making jellies or preserves. 2 a tree bearing crab apples. | ||
| crabbed (adjective) | bad-tempered, cross. | ||
| crack (noun) | 1 a sudden, sharp noise (the crack of thunder). 2 a break in which the parts remain together (a crack in the vase). 3 a sharp blow (a crack on the head). 4 (sl) a form of the drug cocaine. Also vb. | ||
| cracked (adjective) | 1 broken, but not in pieces. 2 (informal) mad (don’t listen to him—he’s completely cracked). | ||
| cracker (noun) | a crisp, thin wafer or biscuit (crackers with cheese). | ||
| crackle (verb) | to make a series of short, sharp, popping noises, to rustle (dry leaves crackling underfoot as they walked). n the act or sound of crackling. | ||
| cradle (noun) | 1 a baby’s bed that can be rocked or swung. 2 the frame in which something is cradled, such as the frame under a ship when it is being built or the base of a telephone where the receiver is placed. 3 the place of a thing’s early development (East Africa is thought to be the cradle of civilization). vb to hold or rock as in a cradle (she cradled the head of the dying man in her arms). | ||
| craft (noun) | 1 a special skill, especially with the hands (a craft such as woodworking). 2 cleverness, especially in deceiving (gain entry to the house by craft). 3 a ship (a seaworthy craft). | ||
| craftsman (noun) | a skilled worker, especially with the hands. n craftsmanship | ||
| crafty (adjective) | good at deceiving, clever, tricky (criminals too crafty to get caught by the police). adv craftily | ||
| crag (noun) | a steep, rough rock that rises above others or projects from a rock mass. adj craggy | ||
| cram (verb) | (crammed , cramming ) 1 to fill very full by pressing or squeezing (cram the suitcase full of clothes). 2 to learn many facts immediately before a test. | ||
| crammer (noun) | a teacher or a school who prepares a pupil or pupils for an examination often in a shorter time than usual, esp pupils who have already failed that examination. | ||
| cramp (noun) | a sudden, sharp pain in a muscle (suffer from stomach cramps). vb to prevent free movement, to hinder (lack of money cramps his style). | ||
| cranberry (noun) | a sour, red berry used in making juice, in cooking, and in baking. | ||
| crane (noun) | 1 a long-legged, long-necked water bird. 2 a machine for lifting or moving heavy weights using a moving beam or arm anchored to its base by an overhead support. vb to stretch out one’s neck (craning his neck to see over the crowd). | ||
| Craniology | study of the skull (see list of branches of science) | ||
| cranium (noun) | (formal) the skull (suffer injury to the cranium). adj cranial. | ||
| crank (noun) | 1 in machines, a part that changes an up-and-down or side-to-side movement into a round-and-round movement (or the other way round). 2 a person who complains a lot. 3 a person with fixed, obsessive ideas, a person with strange ideas (a health-food crank). vb to turn or wind. | ||
| cranny (noun) | a small narrow opening, a crack (insects in the crannies of the walls). | ||
| crash | Collective noun for glaziers (A crash of glaziers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| crash | Collective noun for rhinoceroses (A crash of rhinoceroses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| crash | Collective noun for software (A crash of software) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| crash (verb) | 1 to fall with a loud noise (the vase crashed to the floor). 2 to dash violently against something (crashing his fist into the wall). n 1 the loud noise of a breakage or wreckage. 2 the sudden failure of a business (the crash of his firm). | ||
| crass (adjective) | very stupid, insensitive. | ||
| crate (noun) | a large box, basket, or packing case, made with wooden boards, wicker or plastic. | ||
| crater (noun) | 1 the bowl-shaped mouth of a volcano. 2 a deep, wide hole in the ground. | ||
| cravat (noun) | a piece of cloth worn round the neck (a silk cravat tucked into the neck of his shirt). | ||
| crave (verb) | 1 (formal) to beg for (crave forgiveness). 2 to desire very much (craving a chocolate bar/craved admiration). | ||
| craving (noun) | a strong desire. | ||
| crawl (verb) | 1 to move with the body on or near the ground, to move on the hands and knees (crawl along the tunnel/babies learning to crawl). 2 to move slowly (time crawled by). n 1 act of crawling. 2 a style in swimming. | ||
| crayfish, also crawfish (noun) | small, usually freshwater shellfish that look like little lobsters. | ||
| crayon (noun) | a stick of colored chalk, wax, or charcoal used for drawing, coloring, or writing. vb to draw with crayons. | ||
| craze (noun) | a popular fashion, a temporary excitement for something (there was a craze in the 1970s for flared pants). | ||
| crazy (adjective) | 1 (informal) insane (he must be crazy to think that). 2 very excited, liking very much (he was crazy about horror films/my brother is crazy about the girl next door). | ||
| creak (verb) | to make a harsh grating or squeaking sound (stairs creaking as he crept upstairs). adj creaky Also n. | ||
| cream (noun) | 1 the oily, yellowish part of the milk that rises to the top, and from which butter is made. 2 the best of anything (the cream of the crop). 3 a cream-like substance for rubbing into the skin (hand cream). 4 the color of cream. adj creamy like cream (a creamy dessert). | ||
| creamery (noun) | a place where milk is made into butter and cheese. | ||
| crease (noun) | a mark made by folding, crushing, or pressing. vb to make creases in (her skirt creased from sitting too long). | ||
| create (verb) | 1 to bring into existence (he created a sculpture from a lump of clay). 2 to make (create a bad impression fashion designers creating a new line). | ||
| creation (noun) | 1 act of creating. 2 anything made or invented (fashion designers showing their latest creations). | ||
| creative (adjective) | 1 involving creation (the creative process). 2 able to create or invent; producing original ideas and works (a creative writer). | ||
| creator (noun) | one who creates or invents (he was the creator of the masterpiece). the Creator God, the Supreme Being. | ||
| creature (noun) | anything created, especially humans, animals, and other living things. | ||
| crèche | Collective noun for infantry (A crèche of infantry) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| credence | Collective noun for stewards (A credence of stewards) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| credence (noun) | belief, trust (give no credence to what he says). | ||
| credentials (noun, plural) | papers saying that the owner of them may be trusted (ask the candidates for the job for their credentials). | ||
| credible (adjective) | able to be believed (a scarcely credible story). n credibility | ||
| credit (noun) | 1 belief, trust in (place no credit in their policies). 2 approval or praise (give him credit for capturing the thief). 3 a cause of honor (a credit to his school). 4 a system of buying goods or services and paying for them later (buy the video on credit). 5 the quality of being able to pay debts (her credit is good). 6 the money a person has in a bank (an account in credit). vb 1 to believe. 2 to sell or lend in trust. 3 to write in on the credit side of an account. 4 to consider as having (a good quality). | ||
| credit card (noun) | a plastic card with which goods can be purchased and paid for later. | ||
| creditable (adjective) | deserving praise (a creditable achievement). | ||
| creditor (noun) | one to whom money is owed. | ||
| credulous (adjective) | too ready to believe, too trusting (credulous people who would believe anything). n credulity | ||
| creed (noun) | 1 that which one believes, especially in religion (people of every creed). 2 a statement of one’s faith or beliefs. | ||
| creek (noun) | a small stream, somewhat larger than a brook. | ||
| creel (noun) | a basket-like cage for catching fish. | ||
| creep | Collective noun for tortoises (A creep of tortoises) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| creep (verb) | (pt, pp crept ) 1 to move with the body on or near the ground. 2 to move slowly and silently (creep upstairs). 3 to shiver with horror (her flesh crept at the ghostly sight). n a person regarded as annoying or disgusting. | ||
| creeper (noun) | 1 a person, animal, or thing that creeps. 2 a plant that grows along the ground or up walls, trees, etc. | ||
| creepy (adjective) | (informal) eerie, strange, causing fear or disgust (a creepy story/a creepy old house). | ||
| cremate (verb) | to burn a dead body to ashes. | ||
| cremation (noun) | act of cremating. | ||
| crematory (noun), | also crematorium a place where dead bodies are cremated. . | ||
| Cremnophobia | fear of precipices or steep cliffs (see list of phobias) | ||
| Creole (noun) | 1 a person born in the West Indies, Central America, tropical South America, or Gulf States but with European parents. 2 a descendant of such persons, specifically a person descended from the French settlers of Louisiana (New Orleans area). 3 French, as spoken by Creoles. 4 adj (lowercase) prepared with sauteed tomatoes, green peppers, onions, and spices. | ||
| creosote (noun) | an oily liquid taken from tar and used to disinfect or preserve wood from decay. | ||
| crepe (noun) | 1 a thin, soft, crinkly cloth (a dress of blue crepe). 2 any crinkly material (crepe paper). 3 a thin pancake, generally served rolled or folded with a filling. | ||
| crescendo (noun) | 1 a sign used in writing music. 2 a gradual increase in loudness. | ||
| crescent (noun) | 1 the shape of the moon in its first and last quarter. 2 a narrow, tapering curve. 3 a curving street. adj shaped like a crescent. | ||
| cress (noun) | an edible water plant. | ||
| crest (noun) | 1 a tuft or comb on the heads of certain birds (a cock’s crest). 2 a bunch of feathers on the top of a helmet. 3 a sign or badge of a family, seen on a coats-of-arms, writing paper, etc. 4 the top of a slope, wave, etc (surfing on the crest of a wave). vb to get to the top of. | ||
| crestfallen (adjective) | sad, disappointed (feel crestfallen at missing the party). | ||
| cretin (noun) | 1 a person who is suffering from cretinism. 2 (informal) a foolish or stupid person. | ||
| crevasse (noun) | 1 a deep crack in a glacier. 2 a break in the outside walls of a river. | ||
| crevice (noun) | a narrow opening caused by a crack or split (crevices in the stone wall). | ||
| crew | Collective noun for sailors (A crew of sailors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| crew (noun) | 1 the sailors of a ship. 2 a group of people working or classed together, a gang. 3 the rowers on a rowing team. | ||
| crib (noun) | 1 a baby’s bed. 2 something copied dishonestly from someone else. 3 a translation of a text. 4 the house, apartment, etc, where a person lives. vb (cribbed , cribbing ) to copy unfairly the work of another. | ||
| cribbage (noun) | a card game for up to four players in which the object is to form various combinations for points. | ||
| crick (noun) | a painful stiffness, especially of the neck. vb to cause this (cricked her neck looking over her shoulder). | ||
| cricket1 (noun) | a small, black, jumping insect that makes chirping noises with its legs. | ||
| cricket2 (noun) | an outdoor game played with a flat bat and red leather ball by a team of eleven. n cricketer. | ||
| crime (noun) | a breaking of the law (the crime of murder). | ||
| criminal (adjective) | 1 against the law (convicted of a criminal act). 2 wrong, wicked (it was criminal to cut down such a beautiful tree). n one who breaks the law. | ||
| Criminology | study of crime and criminals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| crimp (verb) | 1 to compress into small folds or ridges (crimp the cloth). 2 to curl (crimp her hair). | ||
| crimson (noun) | a deep red color. Also adj. vb to make or become red. | ||
| cringe (verb) | 1 to shrink back in fear (cringe from the bully/cats cringing at the sight of the dogs). 2 to behave too humbly toward (cringe in the presence of the boss). | ||
| crinkle (verb) | to twist or bend into many folds, to wrinkle. n a fold or wrinkle. | ||
| cripple (noun) | an offensive, informal word for a person who is unable to use some or all of his or her limbs. vb 1 to make unable to move freely, to make lame (the accident crippled her foot). 2 to make less strong, to cause not to work as well, etc (debts are crippling the country’s economy). | ||
| crisis (noun) | (pl crises )1 a turning point at which things must become either better or worse (her illness came to a crisis suddenly during the night). 2 a very serious state of affairs (the firm recovered from a financial crisis/the country was thrown into crisis by the flu epidemic). | ||
| crisp (adjective) | 1 hard but easily broken (crisp crackers). 2 tight (crisp curls). 3 fresh and firm (crisp apples). 4 firm and clear (the officer give crisp orders). 5 dry and clear (it was a lovely crisp day in the fall). vb to curl or twist. adj crispy adv crisply | ||
| criterion (noun) | (pl criteria ) a rule or standard with which things may be compared to judge their value; a test (many criteria were used in judging the novel). | ||
| critic (noun) | 1 one who judges something by pointing out its good and bad points (a theater critic). 2 one who finds fault, a person who expresses dislike and disapproval of (my step-mother was my worst critic). | ||
| critical (adjective) | 1 pointing out both good and bad (a critical analysis of the play). 2 hard to please, ready to find fault (he was in a critical mood). 3 having to do with a crisis (a critical point in his career). 4 most important (at the critical moment). | ||
| criticism (noun) | 1 judgment (literary criticism). 2 fault-finding (I was tired of her constant criticism). | ||
| criticize (verb), also criticise (British spelling) | 1 to point out the good and bad in. 2 to find fault with (his mother was always criticizing his clothes). | ||
| critique (noun) | an essay discussion in which a criticism is made. | ||
| croak (verb) | to make a low, hoarse noise in the throat (he croaked like a frog because of a sore throat). Also n. adj croaky | ||
| crochet (noun) | a type of knitting done with one hooked needle. vb to knit in this way (she crocheted a blanket). | ||
| crock1 (noun) | a pot or jar (a crock of salt). | ||
| crock2 (noun) | an old, broken-down animal; anything useless. vb to injure. | ||
| crockery (noun) | earthenware or china cups, plates, and other dishes. | ||
| crocodile (noun) | a large, lizard-like reptile with a long snout, long tail, large teeth, and a scaly body that lives in or around water. | ||
| crocodile tears (noun, plural) | pretended sorrow or grief (she cried but it was only crocodile tears). | ||
| crocus (noun) | a spring plant grown from a bulb with yellow, purple, or white flowers that bloom in early spring. | ||
| croissant (noun) | a light, crescent-shaped roll made of flaky pastry usually eaten at breakfast. | ||
| crone (noun) | (old) an old woman. | ||
| crony (noun) | (informal) a close friend (get together with his cronies). | ||
| crook (noun) | 1 a bend, curve (in the crook of one’s arm). 2 a stick, hook-shaped at one end, as carried by a shepherd or bishop. 3 (informal) a dishonest person, a criminal (a crook who eventually went to jail). vb to bend, to shape like a hook. | ||
| crooked (adjective) | 1 not straight, twisted (a crooked stick croo-ked-ness/. | ||
| croon (verb) | to sing softly (crooning a lullaby to the child). | ||
| crop (noun) | 1 a pocket in the throat of birds in which the food is partly digested before passing to the stomach. 2 a riding whip. 3 the whole amount of grain, fruit, etc, that is grown or gathered at one place or time (the wheat crop a disappointing crop of apples). 4 a short haircut. vb (cropped , cropping ) 1 to cut short (crop his hair). 2 to bite off (sheep cropping the grass). 3 to sow or gather (a crop). crop up to turn up unexpectedly (difficulties that cropped up/one of the subjects that crop up). come a cropper 1 to fall heavily (come a cropper on the icy surface). 2 to fail completely (he came a cropper when he tried to expand his business). | ||
| croquet (noun) | a game in which wooden balls are hit through hoops with long hammer-shaped wooden clubs. | ||
| cross (noun) | 1 a mark made by drawing one straight line across another, e.g. +, x. 2 one piece of wood fastened across another in the shape of a cross. 3 anything made in the shape of a cross (wear a cross around her neck). 4 the sign of the Christian religion. 5 (old) a cross-shaped wooden frame to which criminals were fixed as a punishment. 6 a place where roads meet. 7 a monument in the shape of a cross (a cross in the middle of the town). 8 a source of suffering or sorrow (a cross to bear). 9 an animal or plant that is the offspring of different breeds or varieties (a mule is a cross between a horse and a donkey). vb 1 to draw a line through or across (cross out the mistakes). 2 to go from one side to the other side (cross the road). 3 to pass across each other (the roads cross before the town). 4 to put or place something across or over something of the same type (crossing her fingers). 5 to hinder, to obstruct (he doesn’t like to be crossed). adj angry, bad-tempered (feeling cross about ripping her tights). adv crossly n crossness | ||
| crossbow (noun) | a bow fixed across a support or stand onto which the string is looped when drawn back, then fired by a trigger. | ||
| crossbreed (noun) | a mixture of two breeds. Also vb. | ||
| cross-country (adjective) | going across fields, etc, instead of along roads (people taking part in a cross-country race). | ||
| cross-examine (verb) | to ask a person questions about a statement he or she has made to test its truth, especially in a court of law (cross-examine the witness for the defense). n cross-examination | ||
| cross-eyed (adjective) | an abnormal condition in which the eyes are turned toward each other, facing inward. | ||
| crossing (noun) | a place at which one may cross a street, river, etc (cross the road at the pedestrian crossing by the school). | ||
| cross-purpose (noun) | to be at cross-purposes to disagree with another through a misunderstanding (they were at cross-purposes—they were talking about different people without realizing it). | ||
| cross-question (verb) | to cross-examine. | ||
| cross-reference (noun) | the mention in a book of another passage in the same book in which the same subject is discussed. | ||
| crossroads (noun) | the place where two roads cross. | ||
| crossword (noun) | a word puzzle with squares and clues, in which each answer shares a letter with another answer. | ||
| crotchet (noun) | 1 a strange desire or idea, a whim. 2 a hook. | ||
| crotchety (adjective) | 1 (old) having strange desires or ideas. 2 cross, bad-tempered (a crotchety old man). | ||
| crouch (verb) | to bend low (crouch down to look at the plant). | ||
| croup (noun) | a disease of the throat in children consisting of a swollen throat, a hoarse cough, and trouble breathing. | ||
| croupier (noun) | the person who takes in and gives out the money at a gambling table. | ||
| crow (noun) | 1 a large black bird. 2 the cry of a rooster (sleepers disturbed by the crow of the rooster). 3 a baby’s cry of pleasure (crows of delight). vb 1 to cry like a rooster. 2 (of a baby) to make sounds expressing pleasure. 3 (informal) to boast (crowing about his new car). as the crow flies following the straightest and shortest way from one place to another. | ||
| crowbar (noun) | a bar of iron used to raise heavy objects or open things that are stuck or tightly shut (pry the load up with a crowbar). | ||
| crowd | Collective noun for onlookers (A crowd of onlookers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| crowd | Collective noun for people (A crowd of people) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| crowd | Collective noun for redwing (A crowd of redwing) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| crowd (noun) | a large number of people gathered together, especially into a small space (a crowd packed the hall). vb 1 to come together in large numbers (the people crowded together in the square). 2 to fill too full by coming together in (crowd the streets). | ||
| crowded (adjective) | full of people or objects. | ||
| crown (noun) | 1 an ornamental headcovering worn by a king or queen as a sign of office. 2 a wreath worn on the head (a crown of flowers). 3 the top of certain things (the crown of the hill the crown of the hat). vb 1 to put a crown on (crown the king). 2 to finish with a success (the award crowned a fine career). 3 (informal) to hit on the head (crowned him with an iron bar). | ||
| crows-feet (noun, plural) | the little lines on the face at the outside corners of the eye. | ||
| crucial (adjective) | of the greatest importance, needing a clear decision (he decided to take the crucial step of resigning/the next game is a crucial one for the championship). | ||
| crucible (noun) | a melting pot. | ||
| crucifix (noun) | a figure of Jesus Christ on a cross. | ||
| crucifixion (noun) | act of crucifying. | ||
| Crucifixion (the) (noun) | the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. | ||
| crucify (verb) | 1 to put to death by fastening on a cross and being left. 2 to treat cruelly, to deal with severely (a politician crucified by the press about his private life). | ||
| crude (adjective) | 1 rough (crude garden furniture). 2 in the natural state (crude oil crude voices). n crudity | ||
| cruel (adjective) | 1 taking pleasure in making others suffer, hard-hearted (a cruel tyrant). 2 causing pain (a cruel blow crool-tee/. | ||
| cruet (noun) | a small glass bottle for vinegar, salt, oil, etc. | ||
| cruft | Collective noun for hackers (A cruft of hackers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cruise (verb) | 1 to sail from place to place, often now for pleasure. 2 to travel at the speed that uses the least amount of fuel. Also n. | ||
| cruiser (noun) | 1 a fast warship. 2 anything that cruises. | ||
| crumb (noun) | 1 a very small bit, especially of some form of bread (biscuit crumbs/toast crumbs). 2 a small piece (a crumb of comfort). | ||
| crumble (verb) | 1 to break into small bits or dust (crumble the bread). 2 to fall to pieces or into dust (ancient walls gradually crumbling). 3 gradually to get into a poor state and come to an end (empires crumble/hopes crumble). | ||
| crumple (verb) | 1 to press into many folds, to crush out of shape (crumpling her dress). 2 to fall down suddenly (she crumpled down in a faint). 3 to collapse, to fail (all resistance to the enemy suddenly crumpled). Also n. | ||
| crunch (verb) | to crush noisily with the teeth (the dog was crunching a bone). Also n. | ||
| crusade (noun) | 1 an attempt by Christian armies from the eleventh to thirteenth centuries to win back control of the Holy Land from Muslims. 2 any attempt by a number of people to do what is considered to be good or work against what is considered to be evil (a crusade against dishonest officials). n crusader | ||
| crush | Collective noun for shoppers (A crush of shoppers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| crush (verb) | 1 to squeeze or press together with force. 2 to press out of shape. 3 to defeat completely. n the crowding together of things or persons. adj crushing | ||
| crust (noun) | the hard, crispy, or crunchy outside of anything (e.g. bread). vb to cover with a crust. | ||
| crusty (adjective) | 1 having a distinctive crust (a crusty pizza base). 2 short-tempered (a crusty old man). adv crustily | ||
| crutch (noun) | 1 a stick, with a top made to fit under the armpits, to support people whose legs have been injured. 2 a person or thing that provides help and/or support (her teddy bear is a crutch). | ||
| crux (noun) | the most important or difficult part of a matter, issue, etc (lack of money is the crux of the problem). | ||
| cry (verb) | 1 to make shrill, loud sounds, as of weeping, joy, etc (cried for help). 2 to weep. 3 to shout. Also n. | ||
| Cryobiology | study of life under cold conditions (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Cryophobia | fear of extreme cold, ice or frost (see list of phobias) | ||
| crypt (noun) | an underground chamber or vault, found in some churches, often used as a burial place. | ||
| cryptic (adjective) | difficult to understand, sometimes on purpose (a cryptic remark/a cryptic message). | ||
| Cryptology | study of codes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Cryptozoology | study of animals for whose existence there is no conclusive proof (see list of branches of science) | ||
| crystal (noun) | 1 a clear, bright glass. 2 a hard, glassy-looking stone. 3 one of the regular shapes in which the atoms of certain bodies are arranged. Also adj. | ||
| crystalline (adjective) | 1 clear (crystalline water). 2 made of or like crystal. | ||
| crystallize (verb), also crystallise (British spelling) | 1 to form into crystals. 2 to make or become clear or definite (plans beginning to crystallize). n crystallization , also crystallisation (British spelling) | ||
| Crystallophobia | fear of crystals or glass (see list of phobias) | ||
| Ctetology | study of the inheritance of acquired characteristics (see list of branches of science) | ||
| cub (noun) | the young of certain animals (e.g. bear, fox, etc). | ||
| cube (noun) | 1 a solid body with six equal square sides. 2 the answer got by multiplying a number twice by itself (e.g. 2 2 2 = 8, therefore 8 is the cube of 2, and 2 is the cube root of 8). | ||
| cubic (adjective) | 1 cube-shaped. 2 having to do with cubes. | ||
| cubicle (noun) | 1 a small sleeping area in a dormitory. 2 any small compartment in a larger room (changing cubicles at the swimming pool). | ||
| cuckoo (noun) | a grayish brown bird with a white underside whose call sounds similar to its name. | ||
| cucumber (noun) | a creeping plant with a long green fruit often used in salads. | ||
| cud (noun) | the food that certain animals bring up from their stomachs to chew again. | ||
| cuddle (verb) | 1 to hug lovingly (cuddled the baby). 2 to lie close and comfortably (children cuddling to keep warm). | ||
| cue (noun) | 1 a word or sign that reminds a person of what to say or do next (the last words of an actor’s speech act as a cue to the next speaker). 2 the long stick used for striking the balls in bllliards and pool. | ||
| cuff1 (noun) | the part of a sleeve near the wrist. | ||
| cuff2 (noun) | a blow (a cuff on the ear). Also vb. | ||
| cuisine (noun) | a style of cooking (French cuisine/Italian cuisine). | ||
| cul-de-sac (noun) | a street closed at one end, a dead end street. | ||
| culinary (adjective) | having to do with cooking (culinary skills). | ||
| cull (verb) | 1 to gather, choose, or select (information culled from many sources). 2 to select and destroy (the librarian culled some needless books). | ||
| culminate (verb) | to reach the highest point (small battles culminating in a full-scale war). n culmination | ||
| culprit (noun) | a wrongdoer, one accused of a crime (catch the culprit committing the crime). | ||
| cult (noun) | a particular, often temporarily, fashionable system of beliefs, especially religious. | ||
| cultivate (verb) | 1 to prepare (land) for the growing of crops. 2 to make to grow (cultivating several types of vegetable). 3 to improve (the mind) (reading books and listening to music to cultivate her mind). n cultivation n cultivator cul-ti-vay-tor/. | ||
| culture | Collective noun for bacteria (A culture of bacteria) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| culture | Collective noun for microbiologists (A culture of microbiologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| culture (noun) | 1 the character of an age and people as seen in customs, arts, etc (learn about Roman culture). 2 learning and good taste (people of culture). 3 the rearing of creatures or growing of plants in conditions not natural to them. adj cultural. | ||
| cultured (adjective) | 1 having learning and good taste (cultured people interested in the arts). 2 artificially grown. | ||
| cumbersome (adjective) | 1 heavy and difficult to move (cumbersome parcels/cumbersome furniture). 2 slow and not working to the best ability (a cumbersome method of government). | ||
| cumulative (adjective) | (formal) growing gradually larger by being added to (cumulative damage to the atmosphere). vb cumulate | ||
| cumulus (noun) | a mass of white rounded clouds. adj cumulous. | ||
| cunning (adjective) | 1 clever, skillful, crafty (a cunning trick). 2 good at deceiving (a cunning cheat). 3 clever (a cunning device). n skill, deceit. | ||
| cup (noun) | a small drinking vessel. vb (cupped , cupping ) to put into the shape of a cup (cup her hands around the flower/cup his hands to catch the ball). | ||
| cupboard (noun) | a shelved place for storing food, dishes, etc. | ||
| cupcake (noun) | a small sponge cake, cooked in a paper case, usually with frosting on top. | ||
| cupful (noun) | the amount a cup holds. | ||
| curator (noun) | one in charge of a museum, art gallery, etc. | ||
| curb (verb) | to control, to keep in check (curb his anger/curb their spending). n 1 anything that controls or holds in check (a curb on their expenditure). 2 a chain or strap fastened to the bit in a horse’s mouth. 3 the concrete edging along a street that separates it from the sidewalk or guttering. | ||
| curd (noun) | a solid substance that forms in sour milk, and from which cheese is made. | ||
| curdle (verb) | to thicken, to become solid (a creamy sauce curdling when boiled). | ||
| cure (noun) | 1 act of healing. 2 that which heals or gives back health (a cure for cancer). 3 (formal) the care of souls. vb 1 to heal. 2 to preserve meat, fish, etc. | ||
| curfew (noun) | 1 (old) a bell rung in the evening as a signal to put out all lights. 2 a military order for people to be indoors and keep the streets empty after a certain hour (imposed a curfew after the riots). 3 the time at which people have to be indoors or in their homes. | ||
| curiosity (noun) | 1 the desire to learn, or to find out about (full of curiosity about her neighbors’ lives). 2 a rare or strange object (a shop full of curiosities). | ||
| curious (adjective) | 1 wanting to learn (curious about the origin of mankind). 2 wanting to know the private affairs of others (neighbors curious about where she goes in the evenings). 3 strange (rather a curious figure/it’s curious that he has disappeared). | ||
| curl (verb) | 1 to form into ringlets. 2 to twist around (smoke curling from the chimney). 3 to play at the game of curling. n a ringlet. | ||
| curling (noun) | a winter game played on ice, involving sliding heavy smooth stones toward a target. | ||
| curly (adjective) | having curls (curly hair). | ||
| currant (noun) | 1 a small dried grape (she puts currants in her Christmas cake). 2 a type of sour, red, black, or white berry growing on certain shrubs and used in jellies or jams. | ||
| currency (noun) | 1 the money in present use in a country. 2 the state of being widely known (the currency of the rumors). | ||
| current (adjective) | 1 in general use (words no longer current). 2 belonging to the present time (current fashions). n 1 a stream of water or air moving in a certain direction. 2 a flow of electricity. | ||
| curriculum (noun) | a course of study at a school, university, etc (several foreign languages on the curriculum). | ||
| curry1 (noun) | a dish of meat, vegetables, etc, cooked with a spicy sauce. | ||
| curry2 (verb) | to groom a horse with a brush and comb. curry favor to try to win the favor of another by pleasing (she curries favor with the teacher by giving her presents). | ||
| curse | Collective noun for creditors (A curse of creditors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| curse (verb) | 1 to use bad language (not allowed to curese at home). 2 to call down harm and evil upon (cursed the man who killed her son). n 1 the wish that another may suffer harm and evil (put a curse on his enemy). 2 a great evil or cause of suffering (the curse of drug-dealing). 3 a swear word. | ||
| cursor (noun) | a movable pointer on a computer screen that shows, for example, where the next piece of text would be typed. | ||
| cursory (adjective) | quick, careless (give the instructions a cursory glance). | ||
| curt (adjective) | 1 abrupt, rude (a curt answer curt-ness/. | ||
| curtail (verb) | (formal) to cut short (have to curtail our vacation cur-tale-ment/. | ||
| curtain (noun) | a cloth hung up to darken, or to hide things behind it. Also vb. | ||
| curtsy (noun) | a bow made by women as a respectful greeting by bending the knees with a slight lowering of the upper body (a curtsy to the queen). Also vb. | ||
| curve (noun) | 1 a line that is not straight and that changes direction without angles (a curve on the graph). 2 something shaped like this (curves in the road/her attractive curves). vb to bend into a curve (the road curved round the lake). | ||
| cushion (noun) | 1 a cloth bag filled with soft material, for sitting, leaning, or kneeling on. 2 anything that takes the force of a blow or shock (his savings acted as a cushion when he lost his job). vb to lessen a blow or shock. | ||
| custard (noun) | a dish of milk, eggs, and sugar, baked or boiled. | ||
| custodian (noun) | a keeper, one who takes care, especially of a museum or other public building. | ||
| custody (noun) | 1 care (a mother given custody of her children). 2 safekeeping (leave her jewellery in the custody of the bank). 3 imprisonment (taken into custody while awaiting trial). | ||
| custom (noun) | 1 the usual way of doing something (traditional country customs). 2 something done often as a habit (it was her custom to have an afternoon nap). 3 the buying of certain things at one particular shop, etc (threaten to take her custom elsewhere when the assistant was rude). 4 pl the taxes payable on goods brought into a country. 5 pl the office where such taxes are paid, or the officials collecting them. | ||
| customary (adjective) | usual (the customary route for his walk). | ||
| customer (noun) | one who usually buys things (in a particular shop) (the local shop with a few regular customers). | ||
| cut (verb) | (cut, cutting ) 1 to make an opening with a sharp instrument (cut her hand). 2 to divide into pieces with a sharp instrument (cut up the meat). 3 to shorten or shape by cutting (cut his hair). 4 to divide a pack of cards. 5 to lessen (cut costs). 6 to refuse to look at or speak to (cut out his old friend). n 1 an opening made by cutting (a cut in the cloth). 2 a wound (a deep cut in her leg). 3 the way a thing is shaped (the cut of her coat/a haircut). 4 a lessening (a cut in their spending). 5 a piece of meat (an expensive cut of meat). | ||
| cutback (noun) | a reduction in the amount of something (cutbacks in public spending). | ||
| cute (adjective) | 1 (informal) cunningly clever (he was too cute to be caught/a cute trick). 2 pretty, attractive, especially in a lively way. | ||
| cuticle (noun) | 1 the outer skin of a plant or of the body. 2 the hardened skin at the base of the fingernails and toenails. | ||
| cutlass (noun) | a short, curving sword. | ||
| cutlery (noun) | knives, forks, spoons, etc. | ||
| cutlet (noun) | a thin slice of meat, usually from a rib or leg, a chop (lamb cutlets). | ||
| cutter (noun) | 1 a light sailing boat. 2 the tailor who cuts out the cloth. | ||
| cutting | Collective noun for cobblers (A cutting of cobblers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| cutting (adjective) | hurting the feelings (a cutting remark). n 1 a piece of a plant cut off for replanting (take cuttings from the geranium). 2 a piece cut out of a newspaper (save cuttings about the pop star). 3 a passage cut through rock for a road or railway. | ||
| cuttlefish (noun) | a sea creature with eight legs that gives out a black liquid when attacked. | ||
| Cyberphobia | fear of computers or working on a computer (see list of phobias) | ||
| cycle (noun) | 1 a series of events that are regularly repeated in the same order (the cycle of the seasons). 2 a number of stories, songs, etc, about the same person or event (a Schubert song cycle). 3 (informal) a bicycle. vb to ride a bicycle (cycling to school). | ||
| cyclic (adjective) | happening in cycles. | ||
| cyclist (noun) | one who rides a bicycle. | ||
| cyclone (noun) | a violent storm of wind that moves in a circular motion, such as a hurricane or tornado. | ||
| Cyclonology | study of tropical cyclones, e.g. hurricanes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Cyclophobia | fear of bicycles (see list of phobias) | ||
| cygnet (noun) | a young swan. | ||
| cylinder (noun) | 1 a solid or hollow shape with circular ends and straight sides. 2 an object or container shaped like this (a cylinder of oxygen). adj cylindrical. | ||
| cymbal (noun) | one of two brass plates used as a musical instrument and struck together to make a clanging noise. | ||
| Cymophobia | fear of waves or wave like motions (see list of phobias) | ||
| cynic (adjective) | one who believes that people do not do things for good or kindly reasons but for their own advantage (cynics who believe that politicians are interested only in keeping their seats). Also adj. adj cynical n cynicism | ||
| Cynology | study of dogs (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Cynophobia | fear of dogs or rabies (see list of phobias) | ||
| Cyprianophobia | fear of prostitutes or venereal disease (see list of phobias) | ||
| Cypridophobia | fear of prostitutes or venereal disease (see list of phobias) | ||
| Cyprinophobia | fear of prostitutes or venereal disease (see list of phobias) | ||
| Cypriphobia | fear of prostitutes or venereal disease (see list of phobias) | ||
| cyst (noun) | a small bag full of liquid that forms on or in the body (have a cyst removed). | ||
| Cytology | study of living cells (see list of branches of science) | ||
| czar (noun) | the title of former emperors of Russia, or any person having great or unlimited power. f czarina See also tsar, tzar. | ||
D
| D, d | (noun) 1 the fourth letter of the alphabet. 2 (mus) the second note of the scale of C major. | ||
| DA | (abbreviation) for District Attorney, the prosecuting officer of a district. | ||
| dab1 | (verb) (dabbed, dabbing) to touch or hit gently with something soft or damp (dab the wound with absorbent cotton). n 1 a gentle touch (give the wet ink a dab with some blotting paper). 2 a small lump of anything soft or damp (a dab of butter). | ||
| dab2 | (noun) a flatfish. | ||
| dabble | (verb) 1 to splash, to wet (dabble her fingers in the water). 2 to take up in a small way (dabble in witchcraft). n dabbler. | ||
| dachshund | (noun) a small dog with a long body and short legs. | ||
| Dactyliology | study of rings (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Dactylography | study of fingerprints (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Dactylology | study of sign language (see list of branches of science) | ||
| dad, daddy | (noun) (inf) father. | ||
| daddy-long-legs | (noun) the informal name for the crane fly, a fly with a long thin body and long spindly legs. | ||
| Daemonophobia | fear of demons (see list of phobias) | ||
| daffodil | (noun) a yellow bell-shaped spring flower. | ||
| daft | (adjective) (inf) foolish, silly (a daft idea). | ||
| dagger | (noun) a short sharp-pointed sword. | ||
| daily | (adjective) happening every day (a daily walk to the park). Also adv. n a daily newspaper (do you read the dailies?). | ||
| daintily | (adverb) 1 in a dainty way (dress daintily). 2 with very great care (eat daintily). n daintiness. | ||
| dainty | (adjective) small, delicate, and pretty (a dainty little girl). n daintiness. | ||
| dairy | (noun) a place where milk is sold, or made into butter or cheese. | ||
| dais | (noun) a low platform (a speaker addressing the school from a dais). | ||
| daisy | (noun) a common wild flower, usually white with a yellow center. | ||
| dalmatian | (noun) a large black-and-white spotted dog. | ||
| dam1 | (noun) a wall to stop or control the flow of water (the dam in the river). vb (dammed, damming) to keep back by a dam. | ||
| dam2 | (noun) (of animals) a mother. | ||
| damage | (noun) 1 injury, harm (storms causing a lot of damage da-mi-jeez/ money paid to make up for loss or harm (sue the driver of the car that hit her for damages). vb to harm. | ||
| dame | (noun) 1 the status of a lady of the same rank as a knight. 2 (inf) a woman. | ||
| damn | (verb) 1 in religion, to send to everlasting punishment (damn his soul). 2 to condemn, to declare to be bad (a play damned by the critics). 3 to curse (damn you!). n a curse. | ||
| damning | Collective noun for jurors (A damning of jurors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| damp | (adjective) slightly wet (damp hair damp-ness/. | ||
| dampen | (verb) 1 to make or become damp (dampen the shirt before ironing). 2 to make less strong, etc (dampen his enthusiasm). | ||
| dance | (verb) 1 to move in time to music. 2 to move in a lively way (children dancing about in excitement). n 1 act of dancing. 2 a social gathering for the purpose of dancing (invite her to a formal dance). n dancer. | ||
| dandelion | (noun) a wild plant with a yellow flower. | ||
| dandruff | (noun) small pieces of dead skin on the scalp. | ||
| dandy1 | (noun) a man who pays what is considered to be too much attention to his appearance and clothes. adj dandified. | ||
| dandy2 | (adjective) great or fine (that’s just dandy!). | ||
| danger | (noun) 1 the risk of hurt or harm (with her life in danger). 2 something that may cause harm, injury, death, etc (wild animals that are a danger to the villagers/the dangers of modern living). | ||
| dangerous | (adjective) full of risks (a dangerous journey). | ||
| dangle | (verb) to hang loosely (with her purse dangling from her wrist). | ||
| dank | (adjective) cold and damp (a dank cellar). | ||
| dapple, dappled | (adjective) marked with spots of a different shade (dappled ponies). | ||
| dare | (verb) 1 to be brave enough (to), to undertake to do (he dared to ask the boss for more money/who would dare to climb Everest?). 2 to challenge (dare the boy to climb to the roof). n a challenge. | ||
| daredevil | (noun) a person who is ready to face any danger. | ||
| daring | (adjective) brave, fearless (a daring young man/a daring attempt). n courage. | ||
| dark | (adjective) 1 without light (dark nights dark-ness/. | ||
| darken | (verb) to make or become darker (a complexion darkened by the sun). | ||
| darkroom | (noun) a room that is kept dark in which photographs are developed and printed. | ||
| darling | (noun) a person who is dearly loved (you are a darling a darling little cottage). | ||
| darn | (verb) to mend holes in clothes. Also n. | ||
| dart | (noun) 1 a pointed weapon thrown by hand. 2 a sudden quick movement (in one dart the child escaped). 3 in needlework, a small pleat. npl a game in which darts are thrown at a target. vb to move quickly (the child darted out of the door). | ||
| dash | (verb) 1 to run quickly. 2 to smash against (waves dashing against the rocks). 3 to discourage (dash all their hopes). n 1 a quick movement. 2 a small amount (a dash of milk). 3 a mark of punctuation (—). | ||
| dash | Collective noun for commuters (A dash of commuters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| dashboard | (noun) the instrument board in a car. | ||
| dasher | (noun) 1 someone who dashes. 2 a part of a cream churn. | ||
| data | (noun, plural) (now often regarded as a singular noun, see datum) a known fact or piece of information (consider all the data relating to population/process computer data). | ||
| database | (noun) a collection of data that is stored in a computer. | ||
| date1 | (noun) 1 the day and month and/or year in which something happened or is going to happen (the date of the next meeting). 2 (inf) an arrangement to meet at a certain time, especially a social meeting with a member of the opposite sex. vb 1 to write the date on (dated the letter). 2 (inf) to make a date, often to see a romantic partner (dating the boy next door). date from to have a beginning at a certain time (houses dating from the 18th century). out of date no longer in use (machinery that is out of date). | ||
| date2 | (noun) the edible fruit of the date palm. | ||
| dateline | (noun) the line in the Pacific Ocean where one day is regarded as beginning and another as ending. | ||
| datum | singular of data. | ||
| daub | (verb) 1 to put on in lumps or smears (clothing daubed with mud/daub paint on). 2 to paint roughly (daub the walls red with paint). n a smear (a daub of mud). | ||
| daughter | (noun) a parent’s female child. | ||
| daughter-in-law | (noun) (pl daughters-in-law) the wife of a son. | ||
| daunt | (verb) to make less brave, to discourage (she refused to be daunted by the remarks of her critics dawnt-less/. | ||
| dawdle | (verb) to move slowly, often stopping; to waste time (dawdling along, late for school). | ||
| dawn | (noun) 1 the beginning of day. 2 a beginning (at the dawn of civilization). vb to grow light. dawn on to become clear eventually (it suddenly dawned on me that I was on the wrong train). | ||
| dawn | Collective noun for morning glories (A dawn of morning glories) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| day | (noun) 1 during daylight. 2 24 hours. | ||
| day care | (noun) 1 the taking care of children, during daytime, usually while their parents are at work. 2 the place where children go to be taken care of. | ||
| daybreak | (noun) the beginning of day, dawn (set out on our journey at daybreak). | ||
| daydream | (verb) to dream while awake (daydream of being rich one day). Also n. | ||
| daylight | (noun) the light of day. | ||
| daytime | (noun) the hours of day. | ||
| daze | (verb) to confuse, to bewilder (dazed by the bang on the head/dazed by the bad news). n confusion. | ||
| dazzle | (verb) 1 to prevent from seeing clearly with strong light (car headlights dazzling rabbits). 2 to confuse or impress (dazzled by her beauty). | ||
| de luxe | (adjective) luxurious, top-quality. | ||
| dead | (adjective) 1 without life (dead bodies). 2 dull, lifeless (a dead expression). 3 absolute, complete (come to a dead stop). 4 not working (the phone is dead). adv 1 completely (dead tired). 2 straight (dead ahead). the dead dead people (prayers for the dead). | ||
| dead end | (noun) a road that is closed at one end. | ||
| deaden | (verb) to dull, to lessen (deaden the pain). | ||
| deadline | (noun) a time by which something must be done (Tomorrow is the deadline for applications for the job). | ||
| deadlock | (noun) a complete disagreement (talks between the two sides have reached deadlock). | ||
| deadly | (adjective) 1 causing death (a deadly disease ded-lee-ness/. | ||
| deaf | (adjective) 1 unable to hear (are you deaf?) 2 (cap) relating to the Deaf and to their culture (the Deaf community communicates using American Sign Language [ASL]). 3 unwilling to listen (deaf to our request for mercy). n 1 (used with the) Deaf people considered as a group. 2 the community of deaf people who use American Sign Language. Usage: There is a distinction between deaf and Deaf. The capitalized form is used to refer to deaf people who use American Sign Language as their preferred means of communication. n deafness. | ||
| deafen | (verb) to make deaf (noise that would deafen you). adj deafening. | ||
| deal | (noun) 1 an amount (a great deal of money delt/) 1 to give out (cards). 2 to cope with, to handle (deal with the problem). 3 to do business with (will deal only with the owner of the firm). | ||
| deal | Collective noun for agents (A deal of agents) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| dealer | (noun) 1 a person who buys and sells (a dealer in antiques). 2 a person who gives out playing cards in a game. | ||
| dealings | (noun, plural) acts of business, relations (wish to have no further dealings with them). | ||
| dean | (noun) 1 the chief of the clergy who staff a cathedral. 2 the head of a university faculty. | ||
| dear | (adjective) 1 well loved (my dear mother). 2 expensive, high in price (dear food deer-ness deer-lee/. | ||
| dearth | Collective noun for nurses (A dearth of nurses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| death | (noun) 1 act of dying. 2 state of being dead. | ||
| deathly | (adjective) and adv like death (deathly pale). | ||
| deathtrap | (noun) (inf) a place that is very dangerous (the floor of that old cottage is a real deathtrap). | ||
| debate | (noun) 1 an argument (a lot of debate over where to go on vacation). 2 the formal discussion of a question in public (a debate in the Senate). vb 1 to argue. 2 to discuss. adj debatable. | ||
| debilitate | (verb) to weaken (debilitated by a long illness). | ||
| debility | (noun) weakness (the debility of the patient). | ||
| debris | (noun) 1 the remains of something broken, destroyed, etc; wreckage (the debris of the crashed plane). 2 garbage, etc (clear up the debris after the party). | ||
| debt | (noun) anything owed (he had run up a lot of debt over the years). | ||
| debtor | (noun) a person who owes. | ||
| debug | (noun) to correct the errors in a computer program. | ||
| debut | (noun) a first appearance in public (the talented young actress made a very successful debut). | ||
| decade | (noun) 1 a period of 10 years. 2 (inf) a long time (I haven’t seen her in decades). | ||
| decaffeinated | (adjective) of a drink such as coffee, having had most of the caffeine removed, often abbreviated to decaf. | ||
| decagon | (noun) a figure with 10 sides. adj decagonal. | ||
| decamp | (verb) to go away secretly (decamp without paying their bills). | ||
| decant | (verb) to pour carefully from one vessel to another (he carefully decanted wine from a bottle into a carafe). | ||
| decanter | (noun) a stoppered bottle in which wine or spirits are served. | ||
| decapitate | (verb) to cut off a person’s head. n decapitation. | ||
| decathlon | (noun) a track-and-field event in which people compete in 10 different sports (he came first in the decathlon). | ||
| decay | (verb) 1 to go rotten (teeth decaying). 2 to fall into ruin (buildings decaying from lack of maintenance). Also n. | ||
| deceased | (adjective) dead. n a dead person (bury the deceased). | ||
| deceit | (noun) anything said or done to deceive; trickery (capable of great deceit di-seet-ful/. | ||
| deceit | Collective noun for lapwings (A deceit of lapwings) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| deceive | (verb) to make someone believe what is not true; to trick (he deceived them into believing he was a real doctor). n deceiver. | ||
| December | (noun) the 12th month of the year. | ||
| decency | see decent. | ||
| decent | (adjective) 1 proper, not shocking (the school rules say wear a skirt of a decent length). 2 reasonable, satisfactory (get a decent meal). n decency. | ||
| deception | (noun) 1 act of deceiving. 2 a trick, pretense (gain entrance by a deception). adj deceptive. | ||
| decibel | (noun) a unit for measuring how loud something is. | ||
| decide | (verb) 1 to make up your mind (decided to go on vacation). 2 to settle a question, etc (a goal deciding the match). | ||
| decided | (adjective) 1 firm. 2 definite. | ||
| decidedly | (adverb) undoubtedly (feel decidedly sick). | ||
| Decidophobia | fear of making decisions (see list of phobias) | ||
| deciduous | (adjective) having leaves that drop off in the fall. | ||
| decimal | (adjective) counted by tens, hundreds, etc (0.25 is the decimal way of expressing one quarter). n a fraction worked out to the nearest tenth, hundredth, etc. | ||
| decimal point | (noun) a period, or full stop, in a number that is used to show fractions. The numbers appearing to the right of the period are less than 1 (the number 1.75 is the numeral 1 with the fraction three quarters—the fraction appears after the decimal point). | ||
| decimal system | (noun) a system of weights, measures, and money based on multiplying and dividing by 10. | ||
| decipher | (verb) to work out the meaning of (decipher her bad handwriting/decipher the enemy’s code). | ||
| decision | (noun) 1 act of deciding (come to a decision). 2 a judgment (the judge’s decision is final). | ||
| decisive | (adjective) 1 firm (stop changing your mind and be decisive). 2 settling a matter finally (a decisive battle). | ||
| decisively | (adverb) firmly, clearly. | ||
| deck | (verb) (fml) to cover, to decorate (deck the room with holly/deck yourself out in your best). n the covering or floor on a ship. | ||
| deck | Collective noun for cards (A deck of cards) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| deck | Collective noun for playing cards (A deck of playing cards) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| declare | (verb) 1 to make known, to announce (declared war de-cla-ray-shun/. | ||
| decline | (verb) 1 to refuse (decline the invitation). 2 to slope downward. 3 to become worse or weaker (her state of health is declining). 4 to give the cases of a noun or adjective. n a gradual worsening or weakening (a noticeable decline in standards). | ||
| decode | (verb) to work out the meaning of a message in code. | ||
| decompose | (verb) to decay, to rot (vegetables decomposing on the compost heap dee-com-po-zi-shun/. | ||
| decontaminate | (verb) to free from what is infectious or harmful (decontaminating the radioactive area). n decontamination. | ||
| décor | (noun) the style of decoration in a room or house. | ||
| decorate | (verb) 1 to make beautiful or ornamental (decorating the Christmas tree). 2 to put wallpaper, paint, etc, on the walls of (decorate the kitchen). 3 to give a badge or medal of honor to (decorate the soldiers for bravery). n decoration. | ||
| decorative | (adjective) ornamental (a fireplace that was purely decorative). | ||
| decorator | (noun) a person who paints and wallpapers houses. | ||
| decorum | Collective noun for deans (A decorum of deans) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| decoy | (noun) anything intended to lead people, animals, etc, into a trap (use her child as a decoy to get her into the car). vb to lead into a trap, to trick into a place of danger by using a decoy (decoyed him into the cellar by saying his son was there). | ||
| decrease | (verb) to become or make less (the number of students is decreasing dee-creess/ a lessening (a decrease in the number of patients). | ||
| decree | (noun) 1 an order or law (a decree forbidding hunting). 2 a judgment at law. vb to make a decree. | ||
| decrepit | (adjective) broken down with age (a decrepit old man di-cre-pi-tood/. | ||
| dedicate | (verb) 1 to set apart for a special purpose (dedicating her life to medicine). 2 to offer to God. 3 to write another’s name at the beginning of a book to show that you think highly of him or her. n dedication. adj dedicatory. | ||
| deduce | (verb) to work out a truth from things already known (from the evidence the police deduced that he was guilty). adj deductive. | ||
| deduct | (verb) to subtract, to take away (deduct the price of the broken vase from her pay check). | ||
| deduction | (noun) 1 an amount taken away (tax deductions from his pay check). 2 a conclusion worked out from things already known (the deduction made by the police). | ||
| deed | (noun) 1 that which is done, an act (a brave deed/a foolish deed). 2 a written agreement (she signed a deed transferring her house to her daughter). | ||
| deem | (verb) (fml) to judge, to consider (deem her unworthy to marry her son). | ||
| deep | (adjective) 1 going far down (a deep hole a very deep person). 3 strongly felt (deep feelings). 4 cunning (a deep plot). 5 (of sounds) low in pitch. 6 (of color) strong, dark, intense (a deep purple). the deep the sea. | ||
| deepen | (verb) to become or make deep (his voice deepened/deepen the hole). | ||
| deer | (noun) (pl deer) a swift-moving animal with hooves and horns (e.g. the reindeer). | ||
| deface | (verb) to damage, to spoil the appearance of (deface the walls with graffiti). n defacement. | ||
| default | (noun) 1 failure to do what is necessary. 2 failure to pay a debt. 3 the action that a computer takes unless you give it a different command. Also vb. n defaulter. | ||
| defeat | (verb) 1 to beat in a fight or contest. 2 to make to fail. n a lost fight or contest. | ||
| defeatist | (adjective) expecting or being ready to accept defeat or failure (don’t be so defeatist—if you start work now you could still pass your exams). n a defeatist person. n defeatism. | ||
| Defecaloesiophobia | fear of painful bowels movements (see list of phobias) | ||
| defect1 | (noun) a fault or flaw (a defect in the fabric/a defect in his character). | ||
| defect2 | (verb) to desert a country, army, group, or political party to join an opposing one (soldiers defecting to the enemy di-fec-shun/. | ||
| defective | (adjective) 1 below average or normal (mentally defective). 2 faulty, flawed (defective goods). | ||
| defend | (verb) 1 to protect or guard against attack (defend the city against the invaders). 2 to give reasons in support of your ideas (defend their economic policy). 3 to present the case for an accused person (defending the accused). | ||
| defendant | (noun) in law, the person accused. | ||
| defense | (noun) also defence (Br) 1 the act of holding off an attack (join in the defense of the city against the invader). 2 that which protects (thick castle walls acting as a defense). 3 the arguments in favor of an accused person, especially in a court of law. | ||
| defenseless | (adjective) also defenceless (Br) without protection (defenseless children). | ||
| defensible | (adjective) able to be defended (behavior that is scarcely defensible). | ||
| defensive | (adjective) 1 suitable for defense, protecting (defensive weapons). 2 ready to defend against attack (she always adopts a defensive attitude against criticism). n state of defending. | ||
| defer1 | (verb) (deferred, deferring) to put off until later (defer the meeting planned for today). n deferment. | ||
| defer2 | (verb) (deferred, deferring) to give in to another’s wishes from respect (defer to more experienced people). | ||
| defiance | (noun) defiant behavior (in defiance of her teachers/in defiance of the law). | ||
| defiant | (adjective) fearlessly and boldly refusing to obey (a defiant child/a defiant attitude). | ||
| deficiency | (noun) lack, want (a deficiency of vitamin C). | ||
| deficient | (adjective) lacking something that should be present (a diet deficient in fresh fruit/deficient in common sense). | ||
| deficit | (noun) the amount by which a sum of money falls short of what is needed; a shortage (annual accounts showing a deficit of thousands of dollars). | ||
| deficit | Collective noun for economists (A deficit of economists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| define | (verb) 1 to mark out the limits of (define the boundary of their land). 2 to explain exactly (defining a difficult word/define your terms). | ||
| definite | (adjective) fixed, certain (definite plans). adv definitely. | ||
| definition | (noun) an exact meaning or explanation. | ||
| definitive | (adjective) 1 clear and certain. 2 final. | ||
| deflate | (verb) 1 to let the air out of (deflating tires). 2 to reduce, especially someone’s pride, importance, etc. n deflation. | ||
| deflect | (verb) to make to change direction, to turn aside (deflect the blow with his arm di-flec-shun/. | ||
| deforest | (verb) to clear a forest by cutting down or burning trees in an area. n deforestation. | ||
| deform | (verb) to spoil the shape or appearance of (her beauty was deformed by a birthmark/deform the landscape with ugly buildings). | ||
| deformed | (adjective) badly or unnaturally shaped. n deformity. | ||
| defraud | (verb) to cheat (defraud the old man of his savings). | ||
| defrost | (verb) to thaw out frozen food. | ||
| deft | (adjective) skillful (deft fingers a deft handling of the situation). n deftness. | ||
| defunct | (adjective) dead, out of existence (customs now defunct). | ||
| defuse | (verb) 1 to remove the fuse from (defuse the bomb). 2 to calm down (defuse the situation). | ||
| defy | (verb) 1 to challenge. 2 to refuse to obey or to respect. 3 to care nothing for. | ||
| degenerate | (verb) to become worse, to lose good qualities (the meeting started off well but it degenerated into a loud argument). Also adj.(noun) a person whose character has become worse (a moral degenerate). n degeneracy, degeneration. | ||
| degrade | (verb) 1 to lower in rank or importance. 2 to disgrace (the family were degraded by their son’s brutal behavior). n degradation. | ||
| degree | (noun) 1 a step or stage (be promoted by degrees/make progress by degrees). 2 a unit of measurement for heat, angles, etc. 3 the title given by a university to those who reach a certain standard of learning. | ||
| dehydrate | (verb) 1 to take the water out of (dehydrated vegetables). 2 to lose water from the body (dehydrated from walking in the severe heat). | ||
| de-ice | (verb) to remove ice or frost from a vehicle’s windshield, etc. n de-icer. | ||
| Deipnophobia | fear of dining or dinner conversations (see list of phobias) | ||
| deity | (noun) a god or goddess. the Deity God. | ||
| déjà vu | (noun) the feeling that you have experienced something before. | ||
| dejected | (adjective) sad, discouraged (felt dejected when he failed to win). n dejection. | ||
| delay | (verb) 1 to put off till later (delaying the start of the meeting). 2 to make late (a plane delayed by fog). 3 to wait before going on (we delayed a bit before starting out). Also n. | ||
| delectable | (adjective) (fml) delightful, very pleasing (the creamy dessert was a delectable sight). | ||
| delegate | (verb) 1 to send a person to act or speak for others. 2 to give certain powers to another. na person who acts or speaks for others (our union delegate at the conference). | ||
| delegation | (noun) a body of delegates. | ||
| delegation | Collective noun for ambassadors (A delegation of ambassadors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| delete | (verb) to rub out, to cross out, to remove (deleting the second paragraph of the report). n deletion. | ||
| deli | see delicatessen. | ||
| deliberate | (verb) 1 (fml) to think over carefully, to consider (take time to deliberate whether to go or not de-li-be-rit de-li-be-rate-lee/. | ||
| deliberation | (noun) (fml) 1 careful thought. 2 discussion. | ||
| delicate | (adjective) 1 fine, easily hurt, or damaged (delicate skin of a delicate constitution). 4 light, subtle (delicate shades of pink de-li-ca-see/. | ||
| delicatessen | (noun) a store, or part of one, that sells cold meats and cheese and specialty foods from other countries. Often shortened to deli. | ||
| delicatessen | Collective noun for gourmands (A delicatessen of gourmands) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| delicatessen | Collective noun for gourmets (A delicatessen of gourmets) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| delicious | (adjective) very pleasing, especially to the taste (delicious food/delicious smells). | ||
| delight | (noun) great joy or pleasure (take delight in reading/one of the delights of living in the country). vb to gladden, to give great joy (delighted by the news). | ||
| delightful | (adjective) causing delight, pleasant (a delightful day di-lite-fu-lee/. | ||
| delinquency | (noun) 1 (fml) failure to do duty (the soldier’s delinquency in being asleep on duty). 2 wrongdoing, minor crime (juvenile delinquency). | ||
| delinquent | (adjective) 1 (fml) not doing your duty. 2 doing wrong, committing minor crimes (delinquent young people). n 1 a person who does not do his or her duty. 2 a wrongdoer, especially a young one. | ||
| delirious | (adjective) 1 wandering in the mind (delirious after the blow to his head). 2 highly excited (children delirious with excitement at the idea of going to the theme park). n delirium. | ||
| deliver | (verb) 1 (fml) to set free, to rescue (deliver them from slavery). 2 to hand over (deliver the parcel). 3 to make (a speech). 4 to aim (deliver a blow). | ||
| delivery | (noun) 1 childbirth (present at the delivery of his son). 2 a giving out of letters, parcels, etc (postal delivery). 3 manner of speaking in public (a clear delivery). | ||
| dell | (noun) a small valley. | ||
| delta | (noun) the land between the branches of a river with two or more mouths. | ||
| Deltiology | collection of postcards (see list of hobbies) | ||
| delude | (verb) to deceive, to trick (deluding his parents into thinking she was doing well at school). | ||
| deluge | (noun) a great flood. | ||
| delusion | (noun) a mistaken belief (parents under the delusion that their children were studying). | ||
| delusive | (adjective) deceiving, misleading (the results were delusive). | ||
| delusory | see delusive. | ||
| delve | (verb) (old) to dig, to search deeply (delving in her purse for change/delved into old records for details of her family history). | ||
| demand | (verb) 1 to ask for firmly or sharply (demand to see the manager/demand her rights). 2 require or need (a situation demanding tact). n 1 a claim. 2 a pressing request. | ||
| demean | (verb) to lower (yourself) (refuse to demean yourself to associate with a thief). | ||
| demeanor | (noun) (fml), also demeanour (Br)behavior, manner (a cheerful demeanor). | ||
| Dementophobia | fear of insanity (see list of phobias) | ||
| demi- | prefix half. | ||
| demigod | (noun) in fable, a being that is half-human, half-divine. | ||
| demise | (noun) 1 (fml) death (after the demise of his father). 2 end, often due to failure (the demise of his business). | ||
| democracy | (noun) 1 government by the people. 2 a state that is governed by the people or by persons elected by the people. | ||
| Democrat | (noun) a member or supporter of the Democratic Party. adj Democratic. | ||
| democrat | (noun) a person who believes in democracy. adj democratic. | ||
| Democratic Party | (noun) one of the main political parties of the US (the symbol of the Democratic Party is the donkey). | ||
| Demography | study of population (see list of branches of science) | ||
| demolish | (verb) 1 to pull down (demolish the dangerous old buildings). 2 to destroy (demolish their argument). n demolition (he helped to prepare the old building for demolition). | ||
| Demology | study of human behaviour (see list of branches of science) | ||
| demon | (noun) an evil spirit, a devil. | ||
| Demonophobia | fear of demons (see list of phobias) | ||
| demonstrate | (verb) 1 to show (demonstrated his affection by bringing her flowers). 2 to show how something works (demonstrate the new washing machine). 3 to take part in a public show of strong feeling or opinion, often with marching, large signs, etc (the students were demonstrating against cuts in their grants). n demonstrator. | ||
| demonstration | (noun) 1 a proof (he brought her flowers as a demonstration of his affection). 2 action taken by a crowd to show their feelings (a demonstration against racism). 3 a display to show how something works (a demonstration of the new vacuum cleaner). | ||
| demonstrative | (adjective) 1 indicating the person or thing referred to (a demonstrative pronoun). 2 quick to show feelings, showing feelings openly (a demonstrative person/so demonstrative that she gave him a hug). | ||
| Demophobia | fear of crowds (see list of phobias) | ||
| demoralize | (verb) also demoralise (Br) to weaken the courage or self-confidence of (a defeat that demoralized the troops). n demoralization, also demoralization (Br). | ||
| demure | (adjective) serious and modest in manner (a demure young girl). n demureness. | ||
| den | (noun) 1 the home (cave, hole, etc) of a wild beast (the lion’s den). 2 a secret meeting place (a den of thieves). 3 (inf) a small room for studying in. | ||
| den | Collective noun for snakes (A den of snakes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Dendrochronology | study of tree rings (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Dendrology | study of trees (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Dendrophobia | fear of trees (see list of phobias) | ||
| denim | (noun) a cotton material used for jeans, overalls, etc (she was wearing designer jeans made of blue denim). | ||
| denomination | (noun) 1 a class or unit of measurement or money (coins of low denomination). 2 all those sharing the same religious beliefs. | ||
| denominational | (adjective) having to do with a religious group or sect (the school was non-denominational). | ||
| denominator | (noun) the number below the line in a vulgar fraction (in 3/4 the denominator is 4). | ||
| denote | (verb) to be a sign of, to mean (a silence that probably denoted guilt/a sign denoting the speed restriction for that stretch of the road). | ||
| denounce | (verb) to speak openly against, to accuse publicly (the principal denounced the culprits at assembly). n denunciation. | ||
| dense | (adjective) 1 thick (dense fog). 2 closely packed (a dense crowd). 3 stupid (dense students). | ||
| density | (noun) thickness. | ||
| dent | (noun) a hollow made by a blow or by pressure on the surface (a dent in his car after the collision/the dent in the pillow made by her head). Also vb. | ||
| dental | (adjective) having to do with the teeth (dental treatment). | ||
| dental floss | (noun), also floss a fine string or tape used to clean between the teeth. | ||
| dentist | (noun) a person qualified to take out or repair bad teeth, make false teeth, and in general care for the teeth of his patients (a recently qualified dentist). n dentistry. | ||
| Dentophobia | fear of dentists (see list of phobias) | ||
| denture | (noun) a set of artificial teeth. | ||
| denunciation | see denounce. | ||
| deny | (verb) 1 to say that something is not true (deny that he is guilty di-nie-al/. | ||
| deodorant | (noun) a liquid or powder that takes away or hides bad smells (she put on an underarm deodorant after her shower). | ||
| deodorize | (verb) (fml), also deodorise (Br) to take away the smell from. | ||
| Deontology | study of moral obligation (see list of branches of science) | ||
| depart | (verb) 1 (fml) to go away, to set out (the train departs from platform six di-par-chur/. | ||
| department | (noun) a separate part (the sales department/the toy department). | ||
| department store | (noun) a large store that has many different sections, each selling a different type of goods. | ||
| departure | see depart. | ||
| depend | (verb) 1 to be likely to happen only under certain conditions (our vacation depends on our having enough money). 2 to trust, to rely on (depend on his assistant). 3 to need for your support (charities depend on the public for donations). | ||
| dependable | (adjective) trustworthy (dependable employees). | ||
| dependant | (noun) a person who looks to another for support or livelihood (have a wife and three children as dependants). | ||
| dependence | (noun) the state of depending. | ||
| dependency | (noun) a country governed by another country. | ||
| dependent | (adjective) 1 relying on another for support (countries dependent on foreign aid). 2 to be decided by (whether we have a picnic is dependent on the weather). | ||
| depict | (verb) 1 to describe (the book depicts Victorian London). 2 to draw, paint, etc (a painting depicting a cornfield). | ||
| deplete | (verb) to lessen in amount, size, or numbers (the number of spectators was depleted by the weather). n depletion. | ||
| deplorable | (adjective) very bad, regrettable (deplorable behavior). | ||
| deplore | (verb) to regret, to express disapproval of (deploring their behavior). | ||
| deploy | (verb) to spread out over a wide front (deployed troops). n deployment. | ||
| deport | (verb) 1 to send a person out of the country in punishment (formerly criminals were deported from Britain to Australia). 2 (fml) to behave (yourself) (deport yourself well). | ||
| deportation | (noun) the act of sending out of the country. | ||
| deportment | (noun) (fml) the manner in which you stand, move, etc (improve your deportment). | ||
| depose | (verb) to remove from high office or the throne (deposing the king). n deposition | ||
| deposit | (verb) 1 (fml) to lay down (deposit the books on the table). 2 to put in a safe place (depositing her jewelry in the bank). n 1 an amount paid into a bank (make several large deposits). 2 a first payment toward a larger amount (put down a deposit on a TV set). 3 solid matter in liquid, collecting at the bottom (the deposit at the bottom of a bottle of wine). | ||
| depository | (noun) a storehouse. | ||
| depot | (noun) 1 a storehouse. 2 a military station or headquarters. 3 a garage for buses (after its last run the bus returned to the depot). | ||
| depreciate | (verb) 1 to lower the value of (houses depreciating in value di-pree-shee-ay-shun/. | ||
| depress | (verb) 1 to press down, to lower (depress the lever to start the machine). 2 to make sad (winter depresses him). | ||
| depression | (noun) 1 gloom, sadness (suffer from depression). 2 a hollow (a depression in the soil where the box had stood). 3 low atmospheric pressure, causing unsettled or stormy weather. | ||
| deprivation | (noun) 1 loss (the deprivation of their rights). 2 want, hardship (live in deprivation). | ||
| deprive | (verb) to take away from (war depriving them of their father/people deprived of their rights). | ||
| depth | (noun) 1 deepness (the depth of the water). 2 strength (of feeling) (the depth of her love the depths of winter). | ||
| depute | (verb) 1 to send someone to act or speak for others. 2 to hand over to someone else to do (deputing the task of collecting the money to him). adj acting for another. vb deputize also deputise (Br). | ||
| deputy | (noun) a person who acts for another (the principal’s deputy). | ||
| derail | (verb) to cause to leave the rails (trains derailed in a collision). n derailment. | ||
| deranged | (adjective) mad, insane (so deranged that he is a danger to himself and others). | ||
| derelict | (adjective) left as useless (nobody lived in the derelict old houses). | ||
| derivation | (noun) the history of something back to its earliest known form. | ||
| derivative | (noun) something made from or coming from another thing. adj not original, copying others (a derivative style of painting). | ||
| derive | (verb) 1 to obtain from (deriving comfort from their presence her popularity derives from her pleasantness). | ||
| Dermatoglyphics | study of skin patterns and fingerprints (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Dermatology | study of skin (see list of branches of science) | ||
| dermatology | (noun) the study of the skin and its diseases. n dermatologist. | ||
| Dermatopathophobia | fear of skin disease (see list of phobias) | ||
| Dermatophobia | fear of skin disease or skin lesions (see list of phobias) | ||
| Dermatosiophobia | fear of skin disease (see list of phobias) | ||
| derrick | (noun) a type of crane (used in drilling oil wells). | ||
| descend | (verb) 1 to climb down (descending the mountain). 2 to attack (thieves descended on the travelers). 3 to have as an ancestor (descended from Abraham Lincoln). | ||
| descendant | (noun) someone who has a certain person as an ancestor (a descendant of Abraham Lincoln). | ||
| descent | (noun) 1 (fml) act of climbing down (the descent of the mountain). 2 a slope (a slippery descent). 3 a sudden attack (the terrorists’ descent on the tourists). 4 a line of ancestors (proud of his royal descent). | ||
| descent | Collective noun for relatives (A descent of relatives) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| descent | Collective noun for woodpeckers (A descent of woodpeckers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| describe | (verb) 1 to tell what happened (describing the visit of the president di-scrip-shun di-scrip-tiv/. | ||
| desert1 | (adjective) without inhabitants (a desert island). n a large area of barren, often sandy, land (camels in the desert). | ||
| desert2 | (verb) 1 to leave, to run away from (desert his wife and children). 2 to go away from (your duty) (soldiers deserting their posts). n desertion. | ||
| deserter | (noun) a person who leaves the army, navy, etc, without permission. | ||
| deserts | (noun, plural) that which is deserved (good or bad) (one way or another he will get his just deserts). | ||
| deserve | (verb) to be worthy of (deserve a medal for bravery). adj deserving. | ||
| deservedly | (adverb) justly (punished deservedly). | ||
| design | (verb) 1 to make a plan of (design a swimming pool/design clothing). 2 to plan, to intend (a scheme designed to save money). n 1 a plan or drawing of something to be made (the design for the new building). 2 a plan, a purpose (they met by design). 3 a pattern (a checkered design). | ||
| design | Collective noun for engineers (A design of engineers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| designate | (verb) 1 to name (an area designated a bird sanctuary). 2 to point out (crosses on the map designating churches). 3 to appoint to a particular post or position (designated sportswoman of the year). adj appointed to a post, but not yet in it (vice-president designate). | ||
| designation | (noun) (fml) name, title (a firm trading under a new designation). | ||
| designer | (adjective) made by a famous designer and bearing a label with that name on it (unable to afford designer clothing). | ||
| designing | (adjective) always planning cunningly or to gain advantage (a designing woman who always gets what she wants). | ||
| desirable | (adjective) 1 much wanted (a desirable job). 2 arousing longing for (a desirable woman). n desirability. | ||
| desire | (verb) 1 (fml) to wish for, to long for (desiring happiness). 2 to be physically attracted to. n 1 a longing, a wish (their desire for peace di-zie-rus/ | ||
| desk | (noun) a table for reading or writing at. | ||
| desktop | (noun) 1 the surface of a desk. 2 (comput) the backdrop on a computer screen on which icons and windows appear. adj suitable for use on a desk (a desktop computer). | ||
| desktop publishing | (noun) the act or business of printing and publishing material by means of a desktop computer. | ||
| Desmology | study of ligaments (see list of branches of science) | ||
| desolate | (adjective) 1 deserted and miserable (a desolate part of the world). 2 miserable, lonely (desolate at the death of his wife). vb to lay waste. | ||
| desolation | (noun) 1 loneliness, grief (the desolation of the widow). 2 a wilderness (areas of desolation). | ||
| despair | (verb) to be without hope, to give up hope (despair of ever getting a job). n hopelessness. | ||
| despatch | see dispatch. | ||
| desperate | (adjective) 1 hopeless, and therefore ready to take risks (a desperate criminal de-spe-ray-shun/. | ||
| desperation | Collective noun for divorcees (A desperation of divorcees) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| despicable | (adjective) mean, deserving to be despised (a despicable trick). | ||
| despise | (verb) to look down upon, to consider worthless (despised him for hitting a child). | ||
| despite | (preposition) in spite of. | ||
| despondent | (adjective) without hope, downcast (despondent after her failure in the exam). n despondency. | ||
| dessert | (noun) the sweet course at the end of a meal (have fresh fruit for dessert). | ||
| destination | (noun) the place to which a person or thing is going (arrive at our destination). | ||
| destined | (adjective) marked out for a special purpose (a young woman destined for greatness). | ||
| destiny | (noun) a power that seems to arrange people’s lives in advance; fate. | ||
| destitute | (adjective) in great want, very poor (homeless and destitute). n destitution. | ||
| destroy | (verb) 1 to break to pieces (a house destroyed by fire). 2 to ruin (destroying all our hopes). 3 to kill (a poison that destroys rats). | ||
| destroyer | (noun) 1 a person who destroys. 2 a fast-moving warship. | ||
| destructible | (adjective) able to be destroyed. | ||
| destruction | (noun) 1 the act of destroying (the destruction of the house by fire). 2 ruin (the destruction of our hopes/the destruction of the Roman Empire). 3 death (the destruction of the rats by poison). | ||
| destruction | Collective noun for wildcats (A destruction of wildcats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| destructive | (adjective) 1 causing ruin (destructive fire). 2 unhelpful (destructive criticism). | ||
| detach | (verb) 1 to unfasten (detach the lead from the dog’s collar). 2 to take away from the rest (a group of soldiers detached to guard the castle). | ||
| detachable | (adjective) able to be detached (a coat with a detachable hood). | ||
| detached | (adjective) 1 separate, not joined to others (a detached house). 2 not influenced by others, impartial (take a detached view/a detached judgment). | ||
| detachment | (noun) 1 a group of soldiers taken away from a larger group. 2 freedom from prejudice, impartiality (judges require detachment). | ||
| detail | (verb) 1 (fml) to give a very full account or description (detailing the tasks to be carried out). 2 to set apart for a particular job (detailed soldiers to guard the castle). n a small part or item (the plan has been drawn up but not the details). | ||
| detailed | (adjective) very full and exact (a detailed report). | ||
| detain | (verb) 1 to prevent from leaving or doing something, to delay (detained by several telephone calls di-tay-nee di-ten-shun/. | ||
| detect | (verb) 1 to find out, to notice, to discover (detect smoke di-tec-shun/. | ||
| detective | (noun) a person whose job it is to find those guilty of crimes (detectives seeking clues). | ||
| detention | see detain. | ||
| deter | (verb) (deterred, deterring) to keep from, to discourage (deterred from leaving by fear). | ||
| detergent | (noun) a chemical material used instead of soap for washing and cleansing (wash clothing in detergent). | ||
| deteriorate | (verb) to become worse (the patient’s condition is deteriorating). | ||
| determination | (noun) strength of will, firmness (have the determination to succeed). | ||
| determine | (verb) 1 to fix, to decide on (determine the date for the meeting). 2 to find out exactly (determining the cause of the accident). | ||
| determined | (adjective) strong-willed (a determined young woman/a determined attitude). | ||
| deterrent | (noun) something that keeps people from acting in a certain way (most people agree that prison acts as a deterrent to those who might break the law). Also adj. | ||
| detest | (verb) to hate, to loathe (detest violence). adj detestable. n detestation. | ||
| detonate | (verb) to explode (a bomb detonated by remote control). n detonation. | ||
| detonator | (noun) a mechanism that sets off an explosion. | ||
| detour | (noun) a roundabout way (forced to make a detour to avoid the city center). | ||
| detract | (verb) to take away from (a crack detracting from the value of the antique vase di-trac-shun/. | ||
| detriment | (noun) (fml) harm, damage, disadvantage (to the detriment of her health/with inevitable detriment to his reputation). | ||
| detrimental | (adjective) harmful, disadvantageous (conditions detrimental to health/detrimental effects). | ||
| devalue | (verb) to reduce the value of. n devaluation. | ||
| devastate | (verb) 1 to lay waste (war devastating the country). 2 to overwhelm with grief or disappointment (devastated at the news of her death de-va-stay-shun/. | ||
| develop | (verb) 1 to grow bigger or better (he is developing into a fine young man develop the scheme further). 3 in photography, to treat a film with chemicals to make the picture appear. | ||
| developing country | (noun) a relatively poor country that is working toward improving its industrial production and living conditions | ||
| development | (noun) 1 growth (watch the child’s development/the development of the business). 2 a stage of growth (the latest development). 3 a new product or invention (exciting developments in the car industry). | ||
| deviate | (verb) to turn aside (deviating from the usual procedure). | ||
| deviation | (noun) a turning aside from the normal or expected course (little deviation from her routine). | ||
| device | (noun) 1 a plan, scheme, trick (a supposed illness that was just a device to get off work). 2 an invention, tool, or mechanism (a labor-saving device for the kitchen/an explosive device). 3 an emblem or sign (the heraldic device on the family crest). | ||
| devil | (noun) 1 an evil spirit. 2 Satan. 3 a very wicked person. 4 a person who does detailed or routine work for a professional person (e.g. a lawyer, printer, etc). | ||
| devilish | (adjective) very evil (a devilish plan). | ||
| devilment, deviltry | (noun) mischief, naughtiness (children full of devilment). | ||
| devious | (adjective) 1 roundabout, indirect (a devious route). 2 not direct, not straightforward and honest (use devious means to get his own way/a very devious person). | ||
| devise | (verb) to plan, to invent, to work out, especially cleverly (devising a scheme). | ||
| devoid | (adjective) lacking in, free from (devoid of humor/devoid of trouble). | ||
| devote | (verb) to give up wholly to (devoting his life to helping the poor). | ||
| devoted | (adjective) loving (her devoted parents). | ||
| devotee | (noun) a very keen follower. | ||
| devotion | (noun) 1 great love, dedication (her devotion to her children). 2 (fml) prayer (at his devotions). | ||
| devour | (verb) 1 to eat greedily (devour the chocolate). 2 to destroy (a forest devoured by fire). 3 to possess completely (devoured by hate/devoured by jealousy). 4 to read eagerly (devour the story hungrily). | ||
| devout | (adjective) 1 given to prayer and worship, religious (a devout Christian). 2 sincere, deeply felt (it is our devout hope that we will be able to help). | ||
| dew | (noun) tiny drops of water that fall on the ground when air cools during the night. adj dewy. | ||
| dexterity | (noun) cleverness with the hands; skill (admire the dexterity of the juggler). adj dext(e)rous. | ||
| Dextrophobia | fear of objects at the right side of the body (see list of phobias) | ||
| diabetes | (noun) a disease causing too much sugar in the body (suffer from diabetes and have to take insulin). adj and n diabetic. | ||
| Diabetophobia | fear of diabetes (see list of phobias) | ||
| diabolic, diabolical | (adjective) 1 devilish. 2 very wicked, very cruel (a diabolical plan to murder his wife). 3 (inf) very bad (her cooking is diabolical). | ||
| Diabology | study of devils (see list of branches of science) | ||
| diagnose | (verb) to decide by examining a sick person the kind of illness that he or she has (diagnosing chickenpox die-ag-no-sis/. | ||
| diagonal | (adjective) going from corner to opposite corner. n a line joining opposite corners. adv diagonally at a slant (a path going diagonally across a field). | ||
| diagram | (noun) a plan or sketch, a drawing made to help to explain something (a diagram of the parts of the body). | ||
| dial | (noun) 1 the face of a watch or clock (a watch with a digital dial). 2 the numbered disc or pad by means of which you ring a telephone number. vb (dialed, dialing) to ring a telephone number (dial 911). | ||
| dialect | (noun) the way of speaking in a particular part of a country (the southern dialect). | ||
| Dialectology | study of dialects (see list of branches of science) | ||
| dialog | (noun) a conversation between two or more people (the play is a dialog between two old men about the past). | ||
| diameter | (noun) a straight line passing from one side of a circle to the other through its center. | ||
| diametrically | (adverb). diametrically opposed exactly opposite (hold diametrically opposed views). | ||
| diamond | (noun) 1 a hard, very valuable precious stone. 2 npl a suit of playing cards. | ||
| diamond wedding | (noun) the 60th anniversary of marriage. | ||
| diaper | (noun) a piece of absorbent material fastened around a baby’s bottom. | ||
| diaphragm | (noun) a muscle separating the chest from the abdomen. | ||
| diarrhea | (noun) also diarrhoea (Br) looseness of the bowels (suffering from diarrhea). | ||
| diary | (noun) a book in which you write something every day (writes his appointments in his diary/writes an account of her day in her diary). | ||
| dice | (verb) to cut into pieces shaped like cubes (dicing vegetables for soup). n pl of die2. | ||
| dicker | Collective noun for hides (A dicker of hides) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| dictate | (verb) 1 to speak aloud something to be written down by another (dictating letters for his secretary to type). 2 to give orders, to order about (workers trying to dictate how the factory should be run). 3 to fix, to determine (the amount of work done by the charity is dictated by money). n an order. n dictation. | ||
| dictator | (noun) one person with complete power of government (a people terrified of the dictator). n dictatorship. | ||
| dictatorial | (adjective) 1 like a dictator (a dictatorial manner). 2 liking to order others about (so dictatorial that people will not work for her). | ||
| diction | (noun) 1 choice of words (poetic diction). 2 way of speaking (clear diction/try to improve her diction). | ||
| dictionary | (noun) a book in which words are arranged in alphabetical order and their meanings and other information about them given. | ||
| Didaskaleinophobia | fear of going to school (see list of phobias) | ||
| die1 | (verb) 1 to stop living. 2 to fade away (hope died). | ||
| die2 | (noun) 1 (pl dice) a small cube, its sides marked with numbers from 1 to 6, used in games of chance. 2 (pl dies) a stamp for marking designs on paper, coins, etc. | ||
| diesel | (noun) 1 a petroleum oil, heavier than gasoline, used as fuel. 2 a vehicle driven by diesel. | ||
| diesel engine | (noun) an engine that works by burning diesel oil using heat produced by compressing air. | ||
| diet | (noun) 1 food, the type of food on which you live (a healthy diet a low-cholesterol diet). vb to eat certain foods only, especially in order to lose weight. | ||
| dietary | (adjective) concerning diet (religious dietary restrictions). | ||
| Dietetics | study of prevention of health conditions and diseases through human nutrition and regulation of diet (see list of branches of science) | ||
| differ | (verb) 1 to be unlike (people differing from each other in their attitude to money agree to differ). | ||
| difference | (noun) 1 unlikeness (a marked difference in the state of her health/the difference between the two cars). 2 a disagreement, quarrel (settle their differences). | ||
| different | (adjective) 1 unlike, not the same (sisters quite different from each other/a different hairstyle). 2 (inf) unusual, special (well, her new hairstyle is certainly different). | ||
| differentiate | (verb) 1 to see or point out the difference between (able to differentiate a robin from a sparrow). 2 to make different (what differentiates the two models of car?). 3 to treat differently (differentiating between men and women in terms of pay). | ||
| difficult | (adjective) 1 hard to do (a difficult task). 2 hard to please (a difficult old woman). 3 troublesome (a difficult period). n difficulty. | ||
| diffidence | Collective noun for debutantes (A diffidence of debutantes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| diffident | (adjective) bashful, not sure of yourself (a diffident young woman di-fi-dense/. | ||
| diffuse | (verb) (fml) to spread widely (diffusing light di-fyoos di-fyoo-zhun/. | ||
| dig | (verb) (dug, digging) 1 to turn up earth or soil. 2 to prod, to poke (dig her in the ribs). 3 (inf) to search (dig in her purse for her keys). n a prod, sharp push. n digger. | ||
| digest | (verb) 1 to dissolve in the stomach (digest a heavy lunch). 2 to think over and understand fully (take time to digest what he said) | ||
| digestible | (adjective) able to be digested (able to eat foods that are easily digestible). | ||
| digestion | (noun) the process of digesting food. | ||
| digestive | (adjective) concerning digestion (the human digestive system). | ||
| digit | (noun) 1 any figure from 0 to 9. 2 (fml) a finger or toe. | ||
| digital | (adjective) 1 showing information in the form of numbers (a digital watch). 2 recording or transmitting information as numbers in the form of very small signals. 3 to do with the fingers or toes. adv digitally. | ||
| digital television | (noun) a system of television in which the picture is transmitted as a digital signal and decoded by a device attached to the viewer’s television set. | ||
| digital video disk | see DVD. | ||
| dignified | (adjective) noble in manner, stately (dignified behavior a dignified old lady). | ||
| dignify | (verb) 1 to give grace or nobility to (a procession dignified by the presence of the mayor). 2 to make something seem important (dignifying his patch of grass with the title of lawn). | ||
| dignitary | (noun) a person of high rank (a formal dinner attended by local dignitaries). | ||
| dignity | (noun) 1 goodness and nobleness of character, worthiness (human dignity). 2 seriousness, calmness, formality (the dignity of the situation/keep her dignity while being booed by the crowd). | ||
| digress | (verb) to speak or write on a subject other than the one being considered (keep digressing from the main issue die-gre-shun/. | ||
| dike, dyke | (noun) 1 a ditch or wall. 2 a bank built up to hold back the sea or floods. | ||
| Dikephobia | fear of justice (see list of phobias) | ||
| dilapidated | (adjective) completely worn out, falling to bits (dilapidated property di-la-pi-day-shun/. | ||
| dilate | (verb) 1 to become larger or wider (eyes dilating in fear). 2 to cause to become larger or wider (some eye-drops had dilated her pupils). n dilatation, dilation. | ||
| dilemma | (noun) a choice between two things or actions, usually equally unpleasant. | ||
| diligence | Collective noun for messengers (A diligence of messengers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| diligent | (adjective) very careful, painstaking, hard-working (diligent students di-li-jense/. | ||
| dilly-dally | (verb) (inf) to waste time, to wait about (dilly-dallying instead of getting down to work). | ||
| dilute | (verb) 1 to water down, to reduce in strength by adding water or another liquid (diluting lime juice with water). 2 to weaken in force, effect, etc (the president’s power has been diluted di-loo-shun/. | ||
| dim | (adjective) 1 faint, not bright (a dim light). 2 indistinct (a dim figure in the distance). 3 (inf) not intelligent, not understanding clearly (he’s a bit dim). vb (dimmed, dimming) to make or become dim (dim the lights/the lights dimmed in the theater). | ||
| dime | (noun) a silver coin that is a 10th part of a dollar; 10 cents. | ||
| dimension | (noun) 1 the measure of length, breadth, and depth (a beast of huge dimension). 2 (often pl) size, extent (take the dimensions of the room). | ||
| diminish | (verb) to make or become less (enthusiasm has gradually diminished/strength diminished by a poor diet). | ||
| diminutive | (adjective) very small, tiny (diminutive little girls/look diminutive beside the tall man). n a word or part of a word suggesting smallness (e.g. -kin in lambkin). | ||
| dimple | (noun) a small hollow, especially on the cheek or chin. vb to show dimples (dimpling prettily as she smiled). | ||
| din | (noun) a continued loud noise (complain about the din from the neighbor’s television). vb (dinned, dinning) 1 to go on saying the same thing again and again (try to din the information into her). 2 to make a continued loud noise (music from his car radio dinning in our ears). | ||
| dine | (verb) to eat dinner (dining at eight o’clock die-ner/. | ||
| dinghy | (noun) a small boat, a ship’s boat. | ||
| dingy | (adjective) dull, dirty-looking, faded (dingy wallpaper dingy colors). n dinginess. | ||
| dinner | (noun) the principal meal of the day (eat dinner in the evening). | ||
| Dinophobia | fear of dizziness or whirlpools (see list of phobias) | ||
| dinosaur | (noun) a very large lizard-like animal of prehistoric times. | ||
| Dioptrics | study of light refraction (see list of branches of science) | ||
| dip | (verb) (dipped, dipping) 1 to put into liquid for a moment (dip the strawberry in chocolate sauce/dip his bread in the soup). 2 to lower sheep into a liquid that rids them of or prevents infestation by insects. 3 to lower for a short time (dip his headlights). 4 to take a sudden downward slope (the road suddenly dipped). n 1 (inf) a quick wetting, a bathe (go for a dip in the river). 2 a liquid or semi-liquid substance into which something is dipped (a cheese dip). 3 a cleansing liquid for dipping sheep. 4 a downward slope (a dip in the road). | ||
| diploma | (noun) a printed paper showing that a person has passed certain examinations. | ||
| diplomacy | (noun) 1 the discussing of affairs and making of agreements with foreign countries (solving the differences between the two countries by diplomacy rather than war). 2 the ability to get people to do things without annoying them (use diplomacy to get his friends to stop quarreling). | ||
| diplomat | (noun) 1 a person who represents his or her country in discussions with foreign governments. 2 a person who is good at managing people (you have to be a bit of a diplomat to be a good human-resources manager). | ||
| diplomatic | (adjective) 1 having to do with or good at diplomacy. 2 tactful (a diplomatic reply). | ||
| Diplomatics | study of deciphering ancient writings and texts (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Diplomatology | study of diplomats (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Diplophobia | fear of double vision (see list of phobias) | ||
| dipper | (noun) a cup with a long handle used to scoop up liquid. | ||
| Dipsophobia | fear of drinking (see list of phobias) | ||
| dire | (adjective) very great, extreme, terrible (in dire poverty in dire trouble). | ||
| direct | (adjective) 1 straight (the most direct route). 2 without any other reason or circumstances coming between (his sickness is a direct result of damp housing). 3 saying openly what you think (a very direct person/a direct way of speaking). vb 1 to point or aim at (directed a gun at him). 2 to show or tell the way to (directed her to the station). 3 to control (directed the whole operation). 4 (fml) to order (direct her to go immediately). 5 to address (directed his remarks to us). | ||
| direction | (noun) 1 the way in which someone or something is looking, pointing, going, etc (in a northerly direction). 2 control (the direction of the military operation). 3 an order (obey directions). 4 an address. 5 npl information as to how to do something or how to get somewhere (get directions to the station). | ||
| directly | (adverb) 1 in a direct manner (tell her directly what he thinks of her behavior). 2 at once, very soon (I’ll be with you directly). | ||
| director | (noun) 1 one of a group of people who manage a business, etc (on the board of directors). 2 a person in charge of putting on a play or making a movie. | ||
| directory | (noun) 1 a book containing people’s names, addresses, telephone numbers, etc (a telephone directory). 2 in a computer, a folder that contains files. | ||
| dirge | (noun) a song of mourning, a lament (play a dirge at the funeral). | ||
| dirt | (noun) 1 anything not clean (remove the dirt from the wound/brush the dirt from the clothing). 2 (inf) gossip, scandal (spread dirt about her). 3 (inf) something obscene. | ||
| dirty | (adjective) 1 unclean (dirty hands/dirty clothes). 2 mean or unfair (a dirty trick). 3 (inf) obscene (dirty books). 4 (of weather) rough. Also vb. | ||
| dis | (verb) (dissed, dissing) (sl) to treat with disrespect (don’t dis me). | ||
| disable | (verb) 1 (fml) to take away the power from (disabled from voting). 2 to deprive of some physical or mental ability (disabled by the accident). n disability, disablement. | ||
| disabled | (adjective) describing someone who is physically or mentally restricted in some way. | ||
| disadvantage | (noun) something unfavorable or harmful to your interests, a drawback (a disadvantage to be small in a basketball team). adj disadvantageous. | ||
| disadvantaged | (adjective) suffering from a disadvantage, especially with regard to your economic situation, family background, etc. | ||
| disagree | (verb) 1 to differ (the two accounts of the event disagree). 2 to have different opinions, etc (two sides disagreeing). 3 to quarrel (children disagreeing). 4 to have a bad effect on (food that disagrees with her). n disagreement. | ||
| disagreeable | (adjective) unpleasant (a disagreeable woman/a disagreeable situation). | ||
| disallow | (verb) (fml) to refuse to allow (disallowed by a local law to play football there). | ||
| disappear | (verb) 1 to go out of sight (the sun disappearing behind a cloud). 2 to leave or become lost, especially suddenly or without explanation (two children have disappeared). 3 to cease to exist (a species of bird that has disappeared). n disappearance. | ||
| disappoint | (verb) 1 to fail to do what is hoped or expected. 2 (fml) to fail to fulfill (disappoint their hopes). 3 to cause sorrow by failure (she was disappointed at losing the race di-sa-point-ment/. | ||
| disapprove | (verb) to believe that something is wrong or bad (disapproving of the new changes in education). n disapproval. | ||
| disarm | (verb) 1 to take away weapons from (police disarming the gunman). 2 to do away with weapons of war (countries beginning to disarm). 3 to make less angry, to charm (disarmed by her frankness/a disarming smile). | ||
| disarrange | (verb) (fml) to set in the wrong order, to untidy (the wind had disarranged her hair). n disarrangement. | ||
| disarray | (noun) disorder or untidiness. | ||
| disaster | (noun) 1 a great misfortune (a firm affected by financial disaster). 2 an accident affecting many people or causing a lot of damage (natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes). 3 a complete failure (an attempt at dressmaking that was a complete disaster). adj disastrous. | ||
| disband | (verb) to break up and separate (disband his private army dis-band-ment/. | ||
| disbelieve | (verb) to refuse to believe (I see no reason to disbelieve his statement). n disbelief. | ||
| discard | (verb) to throw away (they discarded all their old furniture). | ||
| discharge | (verb) 1 to unload (a plane discharging its passengers). 2 to set free (discharge the prisoner). 3 to fire (discharged the gun). 4 to send away (discharge the members of the jury). 5 to give or send out (a wound discharging pus). 6 to do, to carry out (discharge your duty). 7 to pay (discharge your account). n discharge 1 act of discharging. 2 the matter coming from a sore or wound (a bloody discharge). | ||
| disciple | (noun) a person who believes in the teaching, etc, of another; a follower (Christ’s disciples/disciples of Martin Luther King). | ||
| disciplinarian | (noun) a person who controls others firmly or severely. | ||
| discipline | (noun) 1 training of mind or character (the discipline of the monks’ way of life). 2 ordered behavior (the discipline shown by the soldiers). 3 punishment (students claiming unfair discipline). 4 a branch of knowledge (study other disciplines as well as science). vb 1 to train to be obedient (a well-disciplined team). 2 to punish (disciplining his son by not allowing him to go to the movies). adj disciplinary. | ||
| disclose | (verb) 1 to make known (disclosing family secrets/disclosed his whereabouts). 2 to uncover (disclose the contents of the box). | ||
| disclosure | (noun) the telling or showing of something previously hidden (disclosures made in the newspapers about a member Congress). | ||
| disco | (noun) a club to which people go to dance to recorded pop music. | ||
| discolor | (verb) also discolour (Br) to spoil the color of, to stain (the painting has been discolored by direct sunlight). n discoloration, also discolouration (Br). | ||
| discomfort | (noun) the fact or state of being uncomfortable. vb to make uncomfortable. | ||
| disconcert | (verb) to make uneasy (disconcerted by the fact that he ignored her). | ||
| disconnect | (verb) 1 to unfasten (disconnect the carriages from the train). 2 to break the connection (disconnect a gas supply). | ||
| disconnected | (adjective) showing little connection between (a disconnected stream of words). | ||
| disconsolate | (adjective) sad, disappointed (disconsolate because of her canceled vacation). | ||
| discontent | (noun) the state of not being satisfied, displeasure (a sign of discontent in the workforce). adj discontented. n discontentment. | ||
| discontinue | (verb) to stop or put an end to (discontinue the bus service/discontinuing that range of goods). | ||
| discord | (noun) 1 two or more notes of music that sound unpleasing when played together. 2 (fml) disagreement, quarreling (marital discord dis-cawr-dant/. | ||
| discount | (noun) a reduction in the cost or price of (receive a discount on the car for paying cash dis-count/ 1 to give a discount. 2 to regard as unimportant or untrue (discount anything they say since they have no knowledge of the situation). | ||
| discourage | (verb) 1 to dishearten (his early failure discouraged him). 2 to persuade not to do (smoking is discouraged here). n discouragement. | ||
| discourse | (noun) a speech, a lecture (a long discourse on manners delivered by the principal). vb to talk. | ||
| discourteous | (adjective) rude, impolite. n discourtesy. | ||
| discover | (verb) 1 to find (discover America discover how to work the machine). | ||
| discoverer | (noun) an explorer. | ||
| discovery | (noun) 1 act of finding (a voyage of discovery). 2 the thing found (out) (a number of important discoveries). | ||
| discredit | (verb) 1 to refuse to believe (discrediting all she says). 2 to cause to be disbelieved (theories discredited by experts). 3 to damage the good reputation of (try to discredit the president). n shame, dishonor (bring discredit on his family). | ||
| discreditable | (adjective) shameful (discreditable behavior). | ||
| discreet | (adjective) thinking carefully before acting or speaking; cautious; not saying anything that is likely to cause trouble (discreet behavior dis-creet -ness/ | ||
| discrepancy | (noun) the difference between what a thing is and what it ought to be or is said to be (a discrepancy between the two accounts of the accident/a discrepancy between the amount of money taken in and the amount in the cash register). | ||
| discretion | (noun) 1 discreetness (you can rely on her discretion—she won’t tell anyone). 2 judgment, caution (use your discretion on how much to charge). | ||
| discriminate | (verb) 1 to see differences, however small. 2 to show judgment. n discrimination. | ||
| discriminating | (adjective) having good judgment. | ||
| discus | (noun) in track-and-field, a heavy disk-shaped object that is thrown in a field event. | ||
| discuss | (verb) to talk about, to consider. n discussion. | ||
| disdain | (verb) to look down upon; to be too proud to; to refuse because of pride (disdain our company/disdain our offers of help). n scorn. adj disdainful. | ||
| disease | (noun) an illness or unhealthy condition (kidney disease/disease of ash trees). | ||
| diseased | (adjective) suffering from a disease (diseased fruit trees). | ||
| disenchant | (verb) to free from mistaken positive beliefs (many former admirers have been disenchanted by her behavior). adj disenchanted. | ||
| disentangle | (verb) 1 to take the knots out of (disentangling the string). 2 to free from a position that is difficult to escape from (disentangled herself from an unhappy marriage). 3 to separate from a confused condition (disentangle the truth from a mass of lies). | ||
| disfigure | (verb) to spoil the appearance of (a face disfigured by a huge scar). n disfigurement. | ||
| disgrace | (noun) 1 shame, loss of favor or respect (bring disgrace on his family). 2 a person or thing that should cause shame (work that is a disgrace). vb to bring shame or dishonor upon (disgracing his family by going to prison). | ||
| disgraceful | (adjective) shameful. adv disgracefully. | ||
| disguise | (verb) to change the appearance of so as not to be recognized. n changed dress or appearance so as not to be recognized. | ||
| disguising | Collective noun for tailors (A disguising of tailors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| disgust | (noun) strong dislike, loathing (look with disgust at the rotting meat disgusted by his cruel treatment of his wife). | ||
| disgusting | (adjective) sickening (a disgusting mess). | ||
| dish | (noun) 1 a broad open vessel for serving food (a casserole dish). 2 a particular kind of food (a French dish). 3 food mixed and prepared for the table (a dish of meat and potatoes). vb to put into a dish (dish the potatoes). dish out 1 to distribute and give out (dish out leaflets to people). 2 (inf) to give out generously (dish out compliments). | ||
| dish | Collective noun for gossips (A dish of gossips) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Dishabiliophobia | fear of undressing in front of someone (see list of phobias) | ||
| dishearten | (verb) to discourage (disheartened by his failure). | ||
| dishevel | (verb) (disheveled, disheveling) to untidy (hair disheveled by the wind). | ||
| dishonest | (adjective) not honest (dishonest salesman di-son-es-tee/. | ||
| dishonor | (noun), also dishonour (Br) shame, disgrace (bring dishonor on her family by stealing). vb 1 to bring shame on (dishonor his regiment). 2 (fml) to treat in a shameful way (dishonor his wife). | ||
| dishonorable | (adjective), also dishonourable (Br) not honorable, shameful (dishonorable conduct). | ||
| dishwasher | (noun) a machine for washing dishes and flatware. | ||
| disillusion | (verb) to free from a wrong idea or belief (he needed to disillusion her that he was not interested only in her money di-si-loo-zhun-ment/. | ||
| disinfect | (verb) to free from infection (disinfect the wound di-sin-fec-shun/. | ||
| disinfectant | (adjective) destroying germs, killing infection. n a disinfectant substance (clean the bathroom with a disinfectant). | ||
| disinherit | (verb) to take from someone, especially a son or daughter, the right to receive anything in the will of a dead person. | ||
| disintegrate | (verb) 1 to break up into parts (a damp cardboard box that just disintegrated). 2 to fall to pieces (our plans for a day in the outdoors have disintegrated thanks to the heavy rain). n disintegration. | ||
| disinterested | (adjective) favoring no side (referees must be disinterested). | ||
| disjointed | (adjective) having no clear connection between ideas, rambling (a disjointed piece of prose/a few disjointed ideas). | ||
| disk jockey | (noun) a person who introduces and plays recorded pop music on a radio or television show or at a club. | ||
| diskn | , also disc (Br) 1 a round flat object (wear an identity disk). 2 a circular plate, coated with magnetic material, on which data can be recorded in a form that can be used by a computer. 4 a layer of cartilage between the bones of the spine. | ||
| dislike | (verb) not to like (dislikes her very much dislike tasteless food). Also n. | ||
| dislocate | (verb) 1 to put out of joint (dislocated a bone in his foot). 2 (fml) to throw into disorder (dislocating the computer system). n dislocation. | ||
| dislodge | (verb) to move from its place (dislodging the fish bone from his throat/dislodge the stone from the horse’s hoof). | ||
| disloyal | (adjective) 1 unfaithful (disloyal to her husband). 2 not true to (disloyal to their leader). n disloyalty. | ||
| dismal | (adjective) dark, gloomy (a dismal place/a dismal mood). | ||
| dismantle | (verb) to take to pieces (dismantling the machine). | ||
| dismay | (verb) to make afraid, anxious, discouraged, etc (they were dismayed to find the door locked/dismayed at the news of his disappearance). Also n. | ||
| dismiss | (verb) 1 to send away (dismiss the visitor with a wave of her hand dis-mis-al/. | ||
| dismount | (verb) to get down from a horse, etc (dismounting from his bicycle). | ||
| disobey | (verb) to refuse to do what you are told (disobeying orders dis-o-beed-yense dis-o-beed-yent/. | ||
| disorder | (verb) to put things out of their places, to untidy. n 1 untidiness (criticize the disorder of the room). 2 disturbance, riot (the meeting broke up in disorder). 3 a sickness, disease (a disorder of the stomach). | ||
| disorderly | (adjective) 1 untidy (a disorderly office). 2 out of control (a disorderly crowd). | ||
| disorganize | (verb) also disorganise (Br) to put out of order, to throw into confusion (wedding plans totally disorganized when the bride changed her mind). n disorganization, also disorganisation (Br). | ||
| disown | (verb) to refuse to have anything to do with, to refuse to acknowledge as belonging to yourself (disowned his son because of his dishonest behavior). | ||
| disparage | (verb) to suggest, especially unfairly, that something or someone is of little value or importance (disparaging his achievements). n disparagement. | ||
| disparate | (adjective) unlike, completely different (totally disparate personalities). | ||
| disparity | (noun) difference, inequality (the disparity in age between husband and wife). | ||
| dispassionate | (adjective) not influenced by emotion, taking no side, impartial (a dispassionate account of the accident). | ||
| dispatch, despatch | (verb) 1 to send off (dispatch a letter mentioned in dispatches). 3 (fml) quickness in doing (act with dispatch). | ||
| dispel | (verb) (dispelled, dispelling) to drive away, to make disappear (dispel all doubts). | ||
| dispensable | (adjective) able to be done without (workers regarded as being dispensable). | ||
| dispensary | (noun) a place where medicines are prepared and given out. | ||
| dispensation | (noun) a permission, often from the church, not to do something (by dispensation of the bishop). | ||
| dispense | (verb) 1 (fml) to give out (dispensing money to the poor/dispense justice). 2 to prepare and give out (medicines)(drugstores dispense medicines). dispense with to do without (dispense with the need for regular checking). | ||
| dispenser | (noun) 1 a person who prepares medicines. 2 a machine from which something can be obtained, sometimes by the insertion of money (a soap dispenser/a drinks dispenser). | ||
| disperse | (verb) to scatter (the crowds eventually dispersed dis-per-sal dis-per-shun/. | ||
| dispirited | (adjective) discouraged, in low spirits (feel dispirited after his defeat). | ||
| displace | (verb) 1 (fml) to put out of place (papers displaced by the burglar). 2 to take the place of (she was quick to displace his wife in his affections). | ||
| displacement | (noun) 1 act of displacing. 2 the amount of liquid put out of place when an object is placed in it. | ||
| display | (verb) 1 to show, to make obvious (displaying your lack of knowledge). 2 to put where it can be easily seen (display ornaments in a glass-fronted cabinet/display the paintings in a gallery). n 1 show (goods on display). 2 a parade. 3 an exhibition (a display of the work of local artists). | ||
| displease | (verb) to anger, to annoy (displeased by their failure). | ||
| displeasure | (noun) annoyance (show his displeasure by frowning). | ||
| disport | (verb) (fml) to play about, to amuse yourself actively (children disporting themselves on the beach). | ||
| disposable | (adjective) designed to be used once and then thrown away (disposable diapers). | ||
| disposal | (noun) 1 act of getting rid of (the disposal of garbage). 2 the way that people or things are arranged (the disposal of the troops). 3 use (a firm’s car at his disposal). | ||
| dispose | (verb) 1 (fml) to arrange (troops disposed in battle formation). 2 (fml) to make willing (I am not disposed to be of assistance to them). 3 to get rid (of) (disposing of the evidence). | ||
| disposition | (noun) a person’s character, as revealed by his or her normal behavior (of a bad-tempered disposition). | ||
| Disposophobia | fear of throwing stuff out or hoarding (see list of phobias) | ||
| dispossess | (verb) to take away from (dispossess them of their houses). | ||
| disproportion | (noun) lack of proper or usual relation between things (a disproportion between his height and weight). | ||
| disproportionate | (adjective) too great (or too small) in the circumstances (a head disproportionate to her body). | ||
| disprove | (verb) to prove to be false (difficult to disprove his allegations). | ||
| disputation | (noun) an argument, a debate. | ||
| dispute | (verb) 1 to argue, to quarrel (farmers disputing whose land it is). 2 to refuse to agree with, to question the truth or rightness of (dispute the truth of what he said/dispute his right to the throne). Also n. | ||
| disqualify | (verb) 1 to make unable (his ill-health disqualified him from joining the army). 2 to put out of a competition, etc, usually for breaking a rule (a relay team disqualified for dropping the baton). n disqualification. | ||
| disquiet | (noun) anxiety (felt disquiet when the children were late). vb to make anxious. n disquietude. | ||
| disregard | (verb) to take no notice of (disregard the rules/disregard safety instructions). n neglect. | ||
| disrepair | (noun) a bad state due to lack of repairs (property in disrepair). | ||
| disreputable | (adjective) 1 having a bad character or reputation. 2 in a bad condition, shabby. | ||
| disrepute | (noun) disgrace, bad reputation (brought his team into disrepute by using drugs). | ||
| disrespect | (noun) rudeness, failure to behave in a proper way (he showed disrespect to his elders by being very late). adj disrespectful. | ||
| disrobe | (verb) (fml) to take off clothing, especially ceremonious or official clothing (judges disrobing). | ||
| disrupt | (verb) to put into a state of disorder (disrupt the traffic dis-rup-shun/. | ||
| disruptive | (adjective) causing disorder (disruptive students/disruptive behavior). | ||
| dissatisfied | (adjective) not satisfied, discontented (a dissatisfied customer/dissatisfied with the result). | ||
| dissatisfy | (verb) to fail to satisfy, to displease (a standard of work that dissatisfied the teacher). n dissatisfaction. | ||
| dissect | (verb) 1 to cut into separate parts in order to examine (dissecting a rat in the biology class). 2 to study carefully (dissect the election result). n dissection. | ||
| dissemble | (verb) to pretend not to be what you are, to hide your feelings, intent, etc (he said he loved her but he was dissembling). n dissembler. | ||
| disseminate | (verb) (fml) to spread far and wide (disseminating information). n dissemination. | ||
| dissension | (noun) disagreement, quarreling (the proposal caused some dissension among committee members). | ||
| dissent | (verb) to disagree, to think differently from (the vote was almost unanimous but one committee member dissented). Also n. | ||
| dissertation | (noun) a lecture or essay (students required to write a dissertation). | ||
| disservice | (noun) a bad turn (you do him a disservice by letting him copy your homework). | ||
| dissident | (adjective) disagreeing. n a person who disagrees with a government’s policies, especially one who is punished (political dissidents). | ||
| dissimilar | (adjective) unlike (have totally dissimilar tastes). | ||
| dissipate | (verb) 1 to scatter (a crowd that dissipated when the police arrived). 2 to spend or use wastefully (he dissipated a fortune on gambling). 3 to waste (dissipate the natural resources of the country). n dissipation. | ||
| dissipated | (adjective) given to living wildly, indulging in drinking and foolish or dangerous pleasures (dissipated young men/lead a dissipated life). | ||
| dissociate | (verb) 1 to separate from (try to dissociate his private life from his public one). 2 to refuse to be connected with (he dissociated himself from the behavior of his co-workers). n dissociation. | ||
| dissolute | (adjective) living wickedly, immoral (dissolute drunks/a dissolute life). | ||
| dissolution | (noun) act of dissolving (the dissolution of Parliament/the dissolution of the Roman Empire). | ||
| dissolve | (verb) 1 to make or become liquid by placing in liquid (dissolving pills in water). 2 to break up, to put an end to (their marriage was dissolved after a long separation). | ||
| dissuade | (verb) to advise not to do (try to dissuade them from resigning). n dissuasion. adj dissuasive. | ||
| distance | (noun) 1 being far off (live at a distance from her mother). 2 the space between two points or places (a distance of three miles between the villages). 3 (fml) unfriendliness (notice a certain distance in his manner). | ||
| distant | (adjective) 1 far off (travel to distant lands). 2 not close (a distant relative). 3 cold or unfriendly in manner (he seemed rather distant to his old friends). | ||
| distaste | (noun) dislike or disgust (look at her dirty fingernails with distaste). | ||
| distasteful | (adjective) unpleasant (a distasteful duty to have to declare people redundant/a subject that is distasteful to her). | ||
| distemper | (noun) 1 a disease of dogs. 2 (old) an oil-less paint for walls. | ||
| distend | (verb) to stretch, to swell (children’s stomachs distended from lack of food in the famine area). n distension. | ||
| distill | (verb) 1 to fall in drops. 2 to purify a substance by heating it until it turns into vapor, and then cooling the vapor until it becomes liquid. | ||
| distillation | (noun) act of distilling. | ||
| distiller | (noun) a maker of whiskey or other alcoholic liquor. | ||
| distillery | (noun) a factory where whiskey, etc, is made. | ||
| distinct | (adjective) 1 separate (two distinct types of bird). 2 easily heard, seen, etc (a distinct improvement). | ||
| distinction | (noun) 1 difference (make a distinction between high-school and college students). 2 excellence (a writer of distinction). 3 a special mark of honor (win a distinction for bravery). | ||
| distinctive | (adjective) different in a special way (a distinctive style of dress/wear a distinctive perfume). | ||
| distinguish | (verb) 1 to see or point out the differences (between) (unable to distinguish one twin from the other/distinguish right from wrong). 2 to make different (the ability to speak distinguishes humans from animals). 3 to make (yourself) outstanding (distinguished himself in battle). 4 to see, to make out (be just able to distinguish a figure in the distance). | ||
| distinguished | (adjective) famous (a distinguished writer). | ||
| distort | (verb) 1 to twist out of shape (a face distorted in agony). 2 to give a false meaning to (the facts distorted by some newspapers). n distortion. | ||
| distract | (verb) to draw the attention away (distract him from his work). | ||
| distracted | (adjective) almost mad with grief or anxiety (parents distracted by the loss of their children). | ||
| distraction | (noun) 1 anything that draws the attention away (too many distractions for her to be able to study properly). 2 confusion of mind (driven to distraction by the constant noise). | ||
| distraction | Collective noun for fathers (A distraction of fathers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| distraught | (adjective) almost mad with grief or anxiety (a distraught mother looking for her missing child). | ||
| distress | (noun) 1 great pain or anxiety (an accident victim in great distress). 2 suffering caused by lack of money (in financial distress). 3 danger (a ship in distress). vb to cause anxiety, sorrow, or pain. | ||
| distribute | (verb) 1 to give out, to give each his or her share (distributing food to the poor). 2 to spread out widely (hamburger restaurants distributed throughout the country). n distribution. | ||
| distributor | (noun) 1 a person who gives away or shares out. 2 part of a motor engine. | ||
| district | (noun) 1 part of a country. 2 an area marked off for some special purpose. | ||
| distrust | (verb) to have no confidence or belief in (distrust that old car dis-trust-ful/. | ||
| disturb | (verb) 1 to throw into disorder (disturb the papers on the desk). 2 to trouble (disturbed by the lack of news). 3 to interrupt (disturbed his sleep). | ||
| disturbance | (noun) 1 disorder, riot (police called to a disturbance in the local tavern). 2 disarrangement (notice the disturbance of the papers on his desk). 3 an interruption (unable to work with all the disturbance). 4 mental illness (suffer an emotional disturbance). | ||
| disuse | (noun) a state of not being used, neglect (old laws fallen into disuse). adj disused. | ||
| ditch | (noun) a long narrow trench for carrying away water. vb to make a ditch. | ||
| ditto | (noun) the same as before, indicated by the sign " (used to show that the same word, phrase, figure, etc, is to be repeated, in writing, often shortened to do). | ||
| ditty | (noun) a short simple song. | ||
| divan | (noun) 1 a long low sofa without back or arms. 2 a kind of bed like this. | ||
| dive | (verb) (dove, diving) 1 to plunge into water head first. 2 to move quickly downward (rabbits diving into holes). n 1 a plunge. 2 a sudden downward move. | ||
| diver | (noun) 1 one who, with special equipment, is able to work under water (deep-sea divers). 2 a diving bird. | ||
| diverge | (verb) to go off in a different direction, to branch in different directions (the road and railway line diverging near the village die-ver-jense die-ver-jent/. | ||
| diverse | (adjective) different, unlike (have many diverse reasons to go/people of diverse backgrounds). | ||
| diversify | (verb) to make or become different (diversifying their range of goods die-ver-si-fi-cay-shun/. | ||
| diversion | (noun) 1 (fml) amusement (swimming and other diversions for the children). 2 something that distracts the attention (his friend created a diversion while he stole sweets from the store). 3 a turning aside from the main route (e.g. to avoid an obstacle) (a diversion ahead because of roadworks). | ||
| diversity | (noun) difference, variety. | ||
| divert | (verb) 1 to turn in another direction (divert the traffic on to a side road). 2 to draw away (diverting their attention from their personal problems). 3 to amuse (diverted by the clown’s antics). | ||
| diverting | (adjective) amusing. | ||
| divest | (verb) 1 to take away, to strip (divest the tyrant of his power). 2 to take off, especially ceremonial clothes (bishop divesting himself of his robes). | ||
| divide | (verb) 1 to break up into parts (dividing the class into three groups). 2 to share out (divide the chocolate among them). 3 to separate (a wall divided the gardens). 4 in mathematics, to see how many times one number is contained in another. | ||
| divided highway | (noun) a wide road which has a strip of grass or barrier in the middle to separate two lines of traffic moving in opposite directions. | ||
| dividend | (noun) 1 in mathematics, a number to be divided. 2 a share of profit. 3 the rate at which the profits of a company are divided among shareholders. | ||
| dividers | (noun, plural) an instrument for measuring distances on paper, etc. | ||
| divine | (adjective) 1 of or belonging to God. 2 (inf) extremely good (a divine dancer). vb 1 to foretell, to guess (divining the future). 2 to learn or discover by intuition, insight (divine a sudden change in her manner). n divination. | ||
| divining rod | (noun) a Y-shaped rod, usually of hazel, used to find underground water. | ||
| divinity | (noun) 1 a god. 2 the study of religion. | ||
| divisible | (adjective) able to be divided. | ||
| division | (noun) 1 the act of dividing (the division of responsibility). 2 one of the parts into which something is divided (the sales division of the firm). 3 disagreement (some division in the family). 4 a large army group. | ||
| divisional | (adjective) having to do with a division (the divisional head). | ||
| divisor | (noun) in mathematics, the number by which another number (the dividend) is divided in a sum. | ||
| divorce | (noun) 1 legal permission to separate from your married partner and to marry someone else if so desired. 2 separation. vb 1 officially to end a marriage (parents who are divorcing). 2 to separate (try to divorce his private life from his public life/she seems divorced from reality). | ||
| divulge | (verb) to make known, to reveal (divulging secrets to the press/divulge information about the robbery to the police). | ||
| Diwali | (noun) a Hindu festival held in the fall, particularly associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. | ||
| DIY | (abbreviation) for do-it-yourself, the act of making, repairing, or decorating things yourself, as opposed to employing a tradesman. | ||
| dizzy | (adjective) giddy, having the feeling that everything is spinning around (children whirling around until they are dizzy di-zee-ness/. | ||
| DNA | (abbreviation) for deoxyribonucleic acid, a substance in your body that stores genetic information. | ||
| do1 | (verb) (pt did, pp done) 1 to perform, to carry out (do his duty). 2 to attend to (do the dishes). 3 to act or behave (do as you are told). 4 to be enough or suitable (will this hat do for the wedding?). | ||
| docile | (adjective) easily managed, controlled, or influenced, quiet (a docile pony do-si-li-tee/. | ||
| Docimology | study of assaying (see list of branches of science) | ||
| dock1 | (noun) 1 an enclosure in a harbor where enough water can be kept to float a ship when it is being loaded or unloaded, repaired, etc. 2 the box in which prisoners stand in a court of law. vb to sail into dock (when the ship was docking). | ||
| dock2 | (verb) to cut short, to remove part of (dock the dog’s tail). | ||
| dock3 | (noun) a common weed. | ||
| docket | (noun) a label attached to goods (a docket listing the contents). | ||
| dockyard | (noun) a place where ships are built and repaired. | ||
| doctor | (noun) 1 a person who is qualified by medical training to attend the sick and injured. 2 a person who receives a degree granted by universities to those learned in a certain field (a doctor of philosophy). vb 1 to give medical treatment to (doctoring her cold with Tylenol and hot drinks). 2 to make different in order to deceive; to tamper with (doctor the evidence). | ||
| doctorate | (noun) the degree of doctor. | ||
| doctrinaire | (adjective) believing in or trying to put into action a system of ideas without considering the practical difficulties of doing so. | ||
| doctrinal | (adjective) having to do with a doctrine or set of beliefs held by a religious society (doctrinal differences between the two faiths). | ||
| doctrine | (noun) a set of beliefs held by a person or group (the Protestant doctrine/socialist doctrine). | ||
| doctrine | Collective noun for doctors (A doctrine of doctors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| document | (noun) a written or printed paper, often one that can be used as proof (secret government documents/documents of sale). vb to bring forward written evidence (the local history is well documented). | ||
| documentary | (adjective) 1 having to do with documents (documentary evidence). 2 giving facts and explanations (a documentary film). Also n. | ||
| dodder | (verb) to move unsteadily or shakily (an elderly man doddering along). | ||
| dodge | (verb) 1 to make a quick movement to avoid someone or something (succeed in dodging the blow/dodge the police). 2 to avoid by cleverness or trickery (politicians dodging reporters’ questions). n 1 a quick movement aside (a footballer making a sudden dodge to the right). 2 a trick (up to his old dodges). | ||
| dodger | (noun) a trickster, a person who is not to be trusted. | ||
| dodo | (noun) (pl dodoes or dodos) a type of flightless bird no longer in existence (dead as the dodo). | ||
| doe | (noun) the female of many animals (e.g. deer, rabbit, etc). | ||
| doff | (verb) (fml) to take off (doffed his cap). | ||
| dog | (noun) 1 a common domestic animal. 2 (inf) used as a form of address for a male friend. vb (dogged, dogging) to follow closely, to pursue (dog his footsteps/a family dogged by bad luck). | ||
| dog collar | (noun) 1 a collar for a dog. 2 the collar worn by a member of the clergy. | ||
| dog rose | (noun) the wild rose. | ||
| Dog Star | (noun) Sirius, the brightest of the fixed stars. | ||
| dogcart | (noun) a two-wheeled cart or carriage. | ||
| dog-eared | (adjective) with the corners of the pages turned down (a dog-eared paperback). | ||
| dogfish | (noun) a type of small shark. | ||
| dogged | (adjective) determined, unwilling to give in (a dogged attempt to get to the top). n doggedness. | ||
| doggerel | (noun) bad poetry. | ||
| dogma | (noun) a belief or set of beliefs put forward by an authority to be accepted as a matter of faith (Christian dogma/tired of his political dogma). | ||
| dogmatic | (adjective) 1 relating to dogma (dogmatic theology). 2 holding your beliefs very strongly and expecting other people to accept them without question (so dogmatic about the best way to educate children). n dogmatism. | ||
| dogwatch | (noun) on a ship, a short watch of two hours. | ||
| doily, doyley | (noun) a small fancy napkin or mat (the doily under the cake). | ||
| doldrums | (noun, plural) seas near the equator where there is little or no wind. in the doldrums in a sad mood. | ||
| dole | (verb) to give out shares of, often in small amounts (dole out daily rations to the refugees/dole out spending money). | ||
| doleful | (adjective) gloomy, sad (looking doleful dole-fu-lee/. | ||
| doll | (noun) a toy in the shape of a person (a baby doll). | ||
| dollar | (noun) a unit of American, Australian, or Canadian currency (=100 cents). | ||
| dolorous | (adjective) (fml) sad, sorrowful (the old man had a very dolorous expression). n dolor, also dolour (Br). | ||
| dolphin | (noun) a sea animal like the porpoise, belonging to the whale family. | ||
| dolt | (noun) a stupid person. | ||
| domain | (noun) 1 the land that you own (he wanted to establish his own domain). 2 the country that a monarch rules. 3 an area of interest, knowledge, influence, etc (his claims lie within the domain of science fiction). | ||
| Domatophobia | fear of houses or being in a house (see list of phobias) | ||
| dome | (noun) 1 a rounded top on a building. 2 something of this shape (the dome of his bald head). adj domed. | ||
| dome fastener | (noun) a small fastener for articles of clothing or other items that has a rounded portion that snaps into a socket. Also called a press stud in the UK and other countries. | ||
| domestic | (adjective) 1 belonging to or having to do with the house (appliances for domestic use). 2 concerning your personal or home life (domestic happiness). 3 tame and living with or used to people (domestic animals such as dogs and cats). 4 having to do with your own country (goods sold on the domestic market). 5 (inf) interested in and good at cooking, housework, etc (she’s very domestic). n a house servant (she has worked as a domestic for many years). | ||
| domesticated | (adjective) 1 accustomed to living near and being used by people (domesticated animals). 2 fond of and/or good at doing jobs associated with running a house (a domesticated person). | ||
| domesticity | (noun) 1 home life. 2 the state of being fond of and good at running a home. | ||
| domicile | (noun) (fml) a house, a home, the place where a person is living. | ||
| dominant | (adjective) 1 controlling others (a dominant personality). 2 most important (the dominant issue at the meeting). n dominance. | ||
| dominate | (verb) 1 to have complete control over (dominate the meeting dom-i-nay-shun/. | ||
| domineer | (verb) to bully (tired of being domineered by his elder brother). adj domineering. | ||
| dominion | (noun) 1 (fml) rule, government (an emperor holding dominion over millions of people). 2 the territory governed (the vast dominions of the empire). | ||
| Dominion Day | (noun) former name for Canada Day. | ||
| dominoes | (noun) a game played with small flat pieces of wood, ivory, etc, marked with dots. | ||
| don1 | (verb) (donned, donning) (fml) to put on (donned his coat). | ||
| don2 | (noun) a teacher in a university or college. | ||
| donate | (verb) to give, especially to a charity, etc; to contribute (the celebrity donated hundreds of dollars to a children’s charity). n donation. | ||
| done | past participle of do. adj 1 finished, completed. 2 cooked thoroughly. 3 sociably acceptable (being rude to your host is simply not done). done in (inf) utterly exhausted (completely done in after the long walk). | ||
| donkey | (noun) an ass. | ||
| donor | (noun) 1 a person who gives or contributes (money given to the charity by anonymous donors). 2 a person who provides blood for transfusion, organs for transplantation, etc (a blood donor/a kidney donor). | ||
| doodle | (verb) to draw or scribble casually or absent-mindedly. Also n. | ||
| doom | (noun) death, ruin, destruction, terrible and inevitable fate (he prepared to meet his doom). vb to cause to suffer something unavoidable and terrible, such as death, ruin, or destruction (doomed to a life of unemployment). | ||
| doomsday | (noun) the day of judgment at the end of the world. | ||
| door | (noun) a movable barrier in an entrance to a building or room. | ||
| doorway | (noun) an entrance to a building or room. | ||
| dope | noun (inf) a fool, a stupid person. | ||
| dopping | Collective noun for sheldrakes (A dopping of sheldrakes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Doraphobia | fear of fur or hides or skins of animals (see list of phobias) | ||
| dormant | (adjective) not at present active (a dormant volcano). | ||
| dormer | (noun) a small window in a sloping roof. | ||
| dormitory | (noun) a sleeping room with many beds (the dormitories in the boarding school were furnished with comfortable beds). | ||
| dormouse | (noun) (pl dormice) a small mouse-like animal that hibernates in winter. | ||
| dorsal | (adjective) having to do with the back (the dorsal fin of the shark). | ||
| dory | (noun) a sea fish (often John Dory). | ||
| dosage | (noun) the amount to be given in a dose (exceed the recommended dosage). | ||
| dose | (noun) the amount of medicine given at one time (a dose of cough mixture). vb to give medicine to (dosing herself with cough mixture). | ||
| Dosiology | study of doses (see list of branches of science) | ||
| dossier | (noun) a collection of papers dealing with one particular subject or person (firms keeping dossiers on members of staff). | ||
| dot | (noun) a small point or mark (a pattern of black and white dots). vb (dotted, dotting) to mark with dots. dotted with having (things) placed here and there (a sky dotted with stars). | ||
| dotage | (noun) the weak-mindedness of old age (an old man in his dotage). | ||
| dote | (verb) to show great fondness of, especially in a foolish way (he dotes on his daughter and thinks she can do no wrong). | ||
| double | (adjective) 1 twice as much as usual or normal (a double helping of dessert a double ticket). 3 forming a pair (a double window a double life). n 1 twice the amount (double the price). 2 a person or thing looking the same as another (the double of her mother at that age). 3 a glass of alcoholic liquor holding twice the standard amount. 4 a running pace (leave at the double). vb 1 to multiply by two, to cause to become twice as large or numerous. 2 to fold in two (doubling the blanket over for extra warmth). 3 to have two uses, jobs, etc (the sofa doubles as a bed). adv doubly. double back to turn back in the opposite direction, especially unexpectedly. | ||
| double-bass | (noun) a large, low-toned stringed instrument. | ||
| double-cross | (verb) to deceive someone who trusts you and believes that you are their friend. | ||
| double-dealing | (noun) deceit, dishonesty. adj devious, not to be trusted (a double-dealing business partner). | ||
| doublet | (noun) 1 a close-fitting body garment worn by men in the 14th to 17th centuries. 2 one of a pair of words having the same meaning. | ||
| doubt | (verb) to be uncertain about, to be unwilling to believe or trust (doubt his word dout-ful dout-less/. | ||
| douche | (noun) a stream of water directed on to the body to clean it. Also vb. | ||
| dough | (noun) 1 flour, etc, moistened with liquid and made into a paste ready for baking (dough for making bread). 2 (inf) money. adj doughy. | ||
| doughnut | (noun) a type of sweet cake often in the shape of a ring. | ||
| douse, dowse | (verb) 1 to drench in water (dousing the fire/douse him with a bucket of water). 2 to put out (douse the candles). | ||
| dove | (noun) a bird of the pigeon family. | ||
| dove-cote, dove-cot | (noun) a pigeon house. | ||
| dovetail | (noun) a sticking-out end of wood, shaped like a dove’s tail, made to fit into a hole in another piece of wood so as to lock the two together. vb to fit neatly or exactly together (his plans neatly dovetailed with theirs). | ||
| dowager | (noun) the title given to the widow of a nobleman. | ||
| dowdy | (adjective) badly or shabbily dressed, unfashionable, drab (a dowdy woman dow-dee-ness dow-di-lee/. | ||
| down | Collective noun for hares (A down of hares) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| down1 | (preposition) in a descending direction in, on, along, or through (water flows down/go down the hill). adv 1 from a higher to a lower position, to a lying or sitting position (she fell down). 2 toward or to the ground, floor, or bottom (climb down). 3 to or in a lower status or in a worse condition (prices are going down). 4 to or in a state of less activity (the children quietened down). 5 arranged or scheduled (the meeting is down for 2pm). adj 1 occupying a low position, especially lying on the ground. 2 (inf) depressed (she is feeling down). n 1 a low period. 2 (inf) a dislike. vb 1 to go or cause to go or come down. 2 to defeat. 3 to swallow. | ||
| down2 | (noun) the fine soft feathers of a bird (the down of a swan dow-nee/. | ||
| down-and-out | (adjective) having no job and no home, and no money (down-and-out people sleeping rough under the bridge). n a down-and-out person. | ||
| downcast | (adjective) 1 directed downward (with eyes downcast). 2 sad, in low spirits (feeling downcast at the news of his failure). | ||
| downfall | (noun) 1 ruin, fall from power, prosperity, etc (over-confidence led to his downfall). 2 a heavy fall of rain. | ||
| down-hearted | (adjective) discouraged, in low spirits (down-hearted after the failure of his business). | ||
| download | (verb) to copy or transfer data or a program from one computer to another. | ||
| downpour | (noun) a heavy fall of rain (get soaked in the downpour). | ||
| downright | (adjective) 1 thorough, complete (a downright lie). 2 frank, straightforward, saying exactly what you think (a downright kind of man). Also adv. | ||
| downsize | (verb) to reduce the number of people who work in a company, usually in order to reduce costs (downsize the workforce). | ||
| dowry | (noun) the property a woman brings to her husband at marriage. | ||
| Doxophobia | fear of expressing opinions or of receiving praise (see list of phobias) | ||
| doze | (verb) to be half asleep (dozing in his chair after lunch). n light sleep. | ||
| dozen | (noun) twelve. | ||
| drab | (adjective) 1 of a dull grayish-brown color (wearing drab clothes). 2 dull, uninteresting (lead a drab existence). | ||
| draft1 | (noun) 1 the amount taken in one drink (a long draft of cold beer). 2 a stream of air through a room (drafts coming in the window). 3 the depth a ship sinks in water. | ||
| draft2 | (noun) 1 a number of soldiers picked to go somewhere on duty. 2 a written order to pay money. 3 a rough copy or plan of work to be done (a draft of his essay). vb 1 to prepare a plan or rough copy (draft the contract). 2 to pick and send off (draft police to control the football crowds). | ||
| draftsman | (noun) 1 a man whose job it is to draw plans for buildings, etc. 2 a piece in a game of checkers. | ||
| drafty | (adjective) cold because of a stream of air (large drafty rooms). | ||
| drag | (verb) (dragged, dragging) 1 to pull along with force (drag the fallen tree). 2 to trail on the ground (with her long skirt dragging in the mud). 3 (inf) to go very slowly (the evening seemed to drag). 4 to search underwater with hooks or a net (drag the canal for the dead body). n anything that causes to go slowly. | ||
| dragon | (noun) 1 in fables, a winged monster. 2 a fierce, stern person (his grandmother’s a real old dragon). | ||
| dragonfly | (noun) a winged insect. | ||
| dragoon | (noun) a horse soldier. vb to force to obey, to bully into (dragoon them into helping him paint the house). | ||
| drain | (verb) 1 to draw off liquid by pipes, ditches, etc (drain the water tank). 2 to empty completely (drain his glass). 3 to cause to become dry as liquid flows away (drain the plates). n a pipe or channel to carry away liquid (a blocked drain). | ||
| drainage | (noun) all the means used to draw water away from a certain area. | ||
| drake | (noun) a male duck. | ||
| dram | (noun) 1 a small measure of weight (1/16 ounce). 2 a small drink of whisky, etc. | ||
| drama | (noun) 1 a play (a television drama). 2 plays as a branch of literature and as a performing art (study drama). 3 an exciting event, a series of exciting events (a real-life hospital drama). 4 excitement (a life that seems full of drama). | ||
| dramatic | (adjective) 1 having to do with drama (a dramatic society dra-ma-ti-ca-lee/. | ||
| dramatist | (noun) a writer of plays. | ||
| dramatize | (noun), also dramatise (Br) 1 to turn into a stage play (dramatizing a novel). 2 to exaggerate the importance or significance of (she dramatized what was a minor injury dra-ma-ti-zay-shun/, also dramatisation (Br). | ||
| drape | (verb) 1 to cover or decorate with cloth, etc, in folds (drape the sofa with a large length of brown velvet). 2 to cause to hang or rest loosely (draping his legs over the end of the sofa). | ||
| draper | (noun) a person who sells clothes. | ||
| drapery | (noun) 1 cloth, linen. 2 a draper’s shop. | ||
| drapes | (noun, plural) pieces of fabric hung at a window. | ||
| drastic | (adjective) acting with strength or violence; thorough (take drastic measures to reduce expenditure). adv drastically. | ||
| draught | Collective noun for butlers (A draught of butlers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| draw | (verb) (pt drew, pp drawn) 1 to pull along or toward (a tractor drawing a trailer drew a file from the cabinet). 2 to move toward or away from (the crowd drew nearer draw his mother). 6 (of a game or contest) to end with nobody winning (the two football teams drew). 7 (of a ship) to sink to a certain depth in the water. n 1 an attraction (the new singer is a real draw at the club). 2 a game or contest won by nobody (the football match ended in a draw). 3 the selecting of winning tickets in a raffle, lottery, etc. draw the line at to refuse to have do (draw the line at lying). draw up 1 to stop (cars drawing up at the curb). 2 to prepare, especially in writing (draw up a contract). | ||
| drawback | (noun) a disadvantage (he found his poor eyesight a drawback). | ||
| drawbridge | (noun) a bridge that can be lifted at one end to prevent crossing. | ||
| drawer | (noun) 1 a sliding box or container in a table, closet, etc. 2 (pl) see drawers. | ||
| drawers | (noun, plural) (old) an undergarment with legs for the bottom part of the body. | ||
| drawing | (noun) 1 a picture made with a pencil, crayons, etc (a pen-and-ink drawing of the house). 2 the art of making such pictures (study drawing). | ||
| drawing room | (noun) a sitting room, especially a large one in which guests are received. | ||
| drawl | (verb) to speak slowly or lazily (he drawled his words in an irritating way). Also n. | ||
| dread | (noun) fear, terror (live in dread of being attacked). adj (fml) causing great fear, terrible. vb to fear greatly (dread losing his job). | ||
| dreadful | (adjective) 1 terrible (a dreadful accident in dreadful pain). 2 very unpleasant, bad (a dreadful noise dred-ful-ee/. | ||
| dreadlocks | (noun, plural) hair that is twisted into long thick braids hanging down all around the head. | ||
| dream | (noun) 1 the ideas or fancies passing through the mind of a person sleeping. 2 memories of the past or thoughts of what may happen (dreams of becoming a millionaire). 3 state of being occupied by your thoughts, daydream. 4 (inf) a beautiful or wonderful person or thing (a dream of a dress). vb (pt, pp dreamt or dreamed) 1 to have dreams. 2 to imagine. | ||
| dream | Collective noun for psychoanalysts (A dream of psychoanalysts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| dreamer | (noun) a person who is more interested in thoughts or fancies than facts. | ||
| dreamy | (adjective) 1 given to or relating to daydreaming (a dreamy kind of person/in a dreamy mood). 2 extremely attractive (he is so dreamy). | ||
| dreary | (adjective) cheerless, gloomy (a dreary November day/a dreary style of decoration). | ||
| dredge1 | (noun) a machine for bringing up mud, fish, etc, from the bottom of a river or the sea. vb 1 to bring up with a dredge (dredge up the body from the river bed). 2 to clear with a dredge (dredging the canal). 3 to mention something from the past (dredge up the old scandal about her). | ||
| dredge2 | (verb) to sprinkle with (dredging doughnuts with sugar). | ||
| dredger | (noun) a ship fitted to clear mud from the channel in a river or harbor. | ||
| dregs | (noun, plural) tiny pieces of matter that sink to the foot of a standing liquid (wine dregs/coffee dregs). | ||
| drench | (verb) 1 to make very wet (get drenched in the storm). 2 to force (an animal) to drink. | ||
| dress | (verb) 1 to put on clothes (dress yourself/dress the child warmly). 2 to wear evening or formal dress (do we have to dress for dinner?). 3 to straighten, to set in order (dress the shop window). 4 to bandage (dress a wound). 5 to prepare for use (dress a turkey for the oven). n 1 clothing (casual dress). 2 a woman’s outer garment (a summer dress). dress up 1 to put on the clothing of another person, nation, etc (dress up for the fancy-dress party). 2 to put on your best clothing (dress up for the formal ball). | ||
| dress circle | (noun) the second-floor gallery in a theater. | ||
| dress rehearsal | (noun) a practice before a performance, in the appropriate costume. | ||
| dresser | (noun) 1 a kitchen sideboard (plates displayed on the dresser). 2 a person who helps an actor to dress. | ||
| dressing | (noun) 1 the ointments, bandages, etc, put on a wound. 2 something put on as a covering (give the plants a dressing of fertilizer). 3 sauce for food, especially a mixture of oil and vinegar, etc, for putting on salads. | ||
| dressy | (adjective) 1 (inf) fond of nice clothes (a dressy young man). 2 elegant or elaborate, suitable for special occasions (dressy clothes). | ||
| dribble | (verb) 1 to fall or let fall in small drops (water dribbling from the faucet). 2 to allow saliva to run from the mouth (babies dribbling). 3 to keep a moving ball under control by little kicks or taps (a footballer dribbling the ball toward the goal). | ||
| driblet | (noun) a small amount (water coming out in driblets). | ||
| drift | (noun) 1 that which is driven by wind (e.g. snow, sand) or water (e.g. seaweed). 2 meaning (I didn’t get the drift of his speech). vb 1 to be driven by wind or water current (boats drifting). 2 to do something aimlessly (just drifting without any ambition). | ||
| drift | Collective noun for fishermen (A drift of fishermen) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| drift | Collective noun for icebergs (A drift of icebergs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| drift | Collective noun for lecturers (A drift of lecturers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| drifter | (noun) a fishing boat using drift nets (i.e. nets kept near the surface of the water by cork). | ||
| drill1 | (noun) 1 a tool for boring holes (an electric drill). 2 training practice (military drill). 3 procedures to be followed in a certain situation, such as an emergency (fire drill). vb 1 to make holes with a drill (drill holes for screws/drill for oil). 2 to teach something by making learners do it again and again (drill the class in spelling rules). 3 to practice military exercises (soldiers drilling). | ||
| drill2 | (noun) 1 a machine for sowing seeds. 2 a row of seeds. vb to sow in rows. | ||
| drily | see dry. | ||
| drink | (verb) (pt drank, pp drunk) 1 to swallow (a liquid) (drink milk). 2 to take alcoholic liquor, especially in too great amounts (her husband drinks). n 1 an act of drinking (have a drink of water). 2 a liquid suitable for drinking (soft drinks). 3 alcoholic liquor (take to drink). 4 a glass of alcoholic liquor (buy the drinks). | ||
| drip | (verb) (dripped, dripping) to fall or let fall in drops (water dripping from the ceiling/his umbrella dripping water). n a drop (drips from the ceiling). | ||
| dripping | (noun) the fat that drops from roasting meat. | ||
| drive | (verb) (pt drove, pp driven) 1 to control or guide (a car, etc) (drive a sports car). 2 to ride in a car or other vehicle (driving with his friends to the coast). 3 to force or urge along (drive cows to market). 4 to hit hard (drive the nail through the wood). n 1 a ride in a car or carriage. 2 a private road up to a house. 3 a hard hit (at a ball). 4 energy. | ||
| drive shed | (noun) (Br) a large shed for storing vehicles or farm machinery. | ||
| drive-by | (adjective) carried out from a moving car (a drive-by shooting). | ||
| drive-in | (noun) a cinema, restaurant, etc, which you can use while staying in your car. | ||
| drivel | (noun) (inf) foolish talk, nonsense (talk a lot of drivel). vb (driveled, driveling) to talk nonsense (drivel on about unimportant problems). | ||
| driver | (noun) 1 a person who drives (truck drivers). 2 a golf club with a wooden head. | ||
| drizzle | (verb) to rain in small drops. n a fine rain (get caught in the drizzle). | ||
| droll | (adjective) amusing, odd (she was a droll child/a droll story). | ||
| dromedary | (noun) a camel with one hump on its back. | ||
| Dromophobia | fear of crossing streets (see list of phobias) | ||
| drone | (noun) 1 the male or non-working bee. 2 a lazy person (the drones in the office). 3 a humming sound (the drone of traffic). vb 1 to make a humming sound (an airplane droning overhead). 2 to speak boringly (the speaker droned on as most of the audience left). | ||
| drool | (verb) 1 to dribble saliva from the mouth. 2 (inf) to admire very enthusiastically (drooling over her favorite actor). | ||
| droop | (verb) 1 to hang down (with the hem of her dress drooping). 2 to become weak (drooping visibly after a hard day at the office). Also n. | ||
| drop | (noun) 1 a very small amount of liquid (not a drop spilled). 2 the act of falling (a drop in temperature). 3 the distance that a person may fall (a drop of 300 feet from the castle wall). vb (dropped, dropping) 1 to fall or let fall in drops. 2 to fall or let fall (drop a plate on the floor forced to drop his speed). 4 to stop seeing, talking about, doing, etc (we’ve discussed this for too long—let’s drop the subject). | ||
| drought | (noun) a long spell of dry weather, lack of rain, dryness (crops dying in the drought). | ||
| drove | (noun) a herd or flock on the move (a drove of cattle). | ||
| drove | Collective noun for bullocks (A drove of bullocks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| drove | Collective noun for elves (A drove of elves) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| drover | (noun) a person who drives cattle. | ||
| drown | (verb) 1 to die under water by water filling the lungs (he drowned while trying to rescue his friend from the river). 2 to kill by keeping under water (the murderer drowned his victims in the river). 3 to flood, to submerge (farmland drowned by the floods). 4 to put too much liquid in or on (meat drowned in a sickly sauce). 5 to prevent from being heard by making a noise (her speech was drowned by the noise of the traffic). | ||
| drowsy | (adjective) sleepy (feeling drowsy after a large lunch). n drowsiness. | ||
| drub | (verb) (drubbed, drubbing) to beat, to thrash (drub the other team). n drubbing. | ||
| drudge | (verb) to work hard, to slave (drudging away in the factory). n a person who does hard or boring work (drudges washing dishes in the hotel kitchen). | ||
| drudgery | (noun) dull or hard work. | ||
| drug | (noun) 1 any substance used as or in a medicine (pain-killing drugs). 2 a substance that causes sleep or loss of feeling, especially a habit-forming one (drugs such as cocaine and heroin are addictive). vb (drugged, drugging) to give drugs to in order to make insensible (the kidnappers drugged their victim to keep him quiet). | ||
| druggist | (noun) a person who dispenses and sells medicines. | ||
| drugstore | (noun) a store selling medicines and other assorted goods. | ||
| druid | (noun) a priest of the Celts in ancient Britain before the Christian Era. | ||
| drum | (noun) 1 a musical instrument in which skin is stretched tightly over the ends of a box and then beaten to produce a booming sound. 2 the tight skin across the inside of the ear. 3 something shaped like a drum (an oil drum). vb (drummed, drumming) 1 to beat a drum. 2 to make a noise by beating or tapping (drumming impatiently on the table dru-mer/. | ||
| drumstick | (noun) a stick for beating a drum. | ||
| drunk | (adjective) overcome or overexcited by too much alcoholic liquor (too drunk to drive). Also adj drunken. n drunkenness. | ||
| drunkard | (noun) a person who is often drunk. | ||
| dry | (adjective) 1 not wet or damp (paint not yet dry dry parts of the world). 3 not legally allowed to sell alcohol (a dry area). 4 not sweet (a dry wine). 5 (inf) thirsty (dry after their long walk). 6 uninteresting (a very dry book). 7 (of humor) quiet, not easily noticed. vb to make or become dry (dried the washing on the radiators drie-lee drie-ness/. | ||
| dry dock | (noun) a dock out of which water can be drained so that a ship may be repaired. | ||
| dry rot | (noun) a disease of wood that makes it crumble away (houses affected by dry rot). | ||
| dryad | (noun) a mythical spirit of the woods. | ||
| dry-clean | (verb) to clean with chemicals instead of water. n dry-cleaner. | ||
| dual | (adjective) consisting of two; double (have dual nationality doo-a-li-tee/. | ||
| dub | (verb) (dubbed, dubbing) 1 to make someone a knight by touching him with a sword. 2 to give a nickname or title to (dubbed “Ginger” by his friends). | ||
| dubbin, dubbing | (noun) a grease for softening leather. | ||
| dubious | (adjective) 1 feeling doubt (I am rather dubious about his suitability for the job). 2 causing doubt; of uncertain worth, etc, possibly dishonest (of dubious character). n dubiety. | ||
| duchess | (noun) the wife or widow of a duke. | ||
| duchy | (noun) 1 the lands of a duke. 2 a country ruled by a duke. | ||
| duck1 | (noun) a type of common waterfowl, both domestic and wild, whose flesh is used as a food (wild ducks swimming at the edge of the river/roast duck served in orange sauce). | ||
| duck2 | (verb) 1 to plunge or dip under water (duck her in the river). 2 to bend to avoid something or to avoid being seen (duck to avoid hitting his head on the branch/duck down behind the window to avoid being seen by the police). 3 to avoid or dodge (duck his responsibilities). | ||
| duckling | (noun) a young duck. | ||
| duct | (noun) 1 a pipe or tube for carrying liquid, gas, electric wires, etc (you can see the air-conditioning ducts). 2 a tube in the body or in plants through which fluid, etc, passes (tear ducts). | ||
| dud | (adjective) (inf) of no use (dud fireworks/a dud manager). Also n. | ||
| dude | (noun) (inf) a man, a guy. | ||
| dudgeon | (noun) annoyance, anger (left the meeting in high dudgeon). | ||
| due | (adjective) 1 immediately payable (the rent is due). 2 proper. 3 expected (the train is due first thing in the morning). adv directly (due north). due to caused by. n 1 something that is owed. 2 a right. 3 npl charges; a sum payable. | ||
| duel | (noun) 1 an arranged fight between two armed people (challenged him to a duel when he insulted his honor). 2 a contest or struggle between two people (a duel of wits). vb (dueled, dueling) to fight in a duel. | ||
| duet | (noun) a piece of music for two singers or players (pianists playing a duet). | ||
| duffel, duffle | (noun) a rough woolen cloth (a duffel coat). | ||
| dugout | (noun) 1 an underground shelter (a military dugout). 2 a boat made from a hollowed-out tree. | ||
| duke | (noun) 1 the highest rank of nobleman. 2 in some parts of Europe, especially formerly, a ruling prince. | ||
| dulcet | (adjective) (often hum) sweet, tuneful (good to hear your dulcet tones). | ||
| dulcimer | (noun) a musical instrument played by small hammers striking strings, the forerunner of the piano. | ||
| dull | (adjective) 1 slow, stupid (a dull student). 2 uninteresting (a dull TV show a dull noise). vb to make dull, to blunt. n dullness. adv dully. | ||
| dullard | (noun) a dull or stupid person. | ||
| duly | (adverb) 1 properly (duly elected MP for the area). 2 at the due and proper time (the taxi they ordered duly arrived). | ||
| dumb | (adjective) 1 unable to speak (people who have been dumb since birth). 2 silent (remain dumb throughout the police officer’s questioning dum-ness/. | ||
| dumbbells | (noun, plural) weights used when exercising the arm muscles (dumbbells used in weight training). | ||
| dumbfound | (verb) to astonish greatly (she was dumbfounded by his rude behavior). | ||
| dummy | (noun) 1 a model of the human figure, used for displaying or fitting clothing (a tailor’s dummy). 2 an imitation article (dummies in the window, not real boxes of candy). adj pretended, not real. | ||
| dump | (verb) 1 to throw away, to get rid of (dump garbage). 2 (inf) to let fall or set down heavily (dump his suitcase on the doorstep). 3 to sell goods in another country at a low price. n 1 a garbage heap (take the garbage to the dump). 2 a military store (an ammunition dump). 3 (inf) a dirty, untidy, or uninteresting place (the apartment’s a real dump). | ||
| dumper truck, dump truck | (noun) a heavy truck the back of which can be tilted back and up to unload cargo such as earth, gravel, rocks, etc. | ||
| dumpling | (noun) a food that is cooked, consisting of a thick paste, sometimes rolled into balls, or sometimes filled with fruit or meat (Chinese dumplings). | ||
| dumps | (noun, plural) low spirits. | ||
| dun | (adjective) of a pale yellowish or grayish-brown color (a horse of a dun color). | ||
| dunce | (noun) a slow learner, a stupid student (the class dunce). | ||
| dune | (noun) a low sandhill, especially on the seashore (children playing on the dunes). | ||
| dung | (noun) the waste matter passed from the bodies of animals (dung used as a fertilizer by farmers). vb to mix dung with earth to fertilize it. | ||
| dungarees, dungarees | (noun, plural) outer garments worn to protect the clothing (workmen in dungarees). | ||
| dungeon | (noun) a dark prison, an underground prison cell (the dungeons beneath the castle). | ||
| dunk | (verb) to dip into liquid for a moment (dunked his doughnut in his coffee) | ||
| duo | (noun) a group of two people, especially two musicians. | ||
| duodenum | (noun) part of the bowel. adj duodenal. | ||
| dupe | (verb) to cheat (the thief duped the old lady by pretending to be a telephone engineer). n a person who is cheated or deceived. | ||
| duplicate | (adjective) exactly the same, exactly like another (duplicate keys). n an exact copy (keep a duplicate of the letter in the office files). vbto make a copy or copies of (duplicating the documents for the meeting). n duplication. | ||
| duplicity | (noun) deceit, trickery. | ||
| duplicity | Collective noun for spies (A duplicity of spies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| durable | (adjective) 1 lasting, hard-wearing (pants of a durable material). 2 lasting or able to last (hopes of a durable peace are fading). n durability. | ||
| durante | Collective noun for toucans (A durante of toucans) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| duration | (noun) the time for which a thing lasts (they took shelter for the duration of the storm). | ||
| duress | (noun) use of force, threats, etc (he agreed to go but only under duress). | ||
| during | (preposition) 1 in the course of (he died during the night). 2 throughout the time of (a shortage of food during the war). | ||
| dusk | (noun) partial darkness, twilight (dusk sets in early in the winter). adj dusky dark. | ||
| dust | (noun) tiny dry particles of earth or matter (dust settling on the furniture). vb 1 to remove dust (dust the piano). 2 to sprinkle with powder (dust the cake with confectioners’ sugar). adj dusty. | ||
| dustbin | (British) garbage can. | ||
| duster | (noun) a cloth for removing dust, etc (polishing the silver with a duster). | ||
| Dutchphobia | fear of the Dutch (see list of phobias) | ||
| dutiable | (adjective) able to be taxed (dutiable goods such as wine and other alcoholic liquor). | ||
| dutiful | (adjective) obedient, careful to do one’s duty (a dutiful son). | ||
| duty | (noun) 1 that which you ought to do (do your duty as a responsible citizen). 2 an action or task requiring to be done, especially one attached to a job (perform his duties as a junior doctor/on night duty). 3 a tax on goods (duty paid on cigarettes). | ||
| DVD | (abbreviation) for digital video disk, an optical disk on which large amounts of audio, video and computer data can be stored, especially feature films to be watched at home. | ||
| dwarf | (noun) (pl dwarfs or dwarves) 1 (sometimes offensive) a person, animal, or plant that is much smaller than average. 2 in fairy tales, a very small man who has magical powers (my daughter loves the story of Snowwhite and the seven dwarfs). adj undersized, very small (dwarf fruit trees). vb to make seem small (he was so tall that he dwarfed the rest of the team). adj dwarfish. | ||
| dwell | (verb) (pt, pp dwelt or dwelled) 1 (old or lit) to live in (dwell in a house by the sea). 2 to talk or think a lot about (try not to dwell on your health problems). | ||
| dwelling | (noun) (fml or old) a house. | ||
| dwindle | (verb) to grow gradually less or smaller (his hopes of success dwindled/the population of the village is dwindling). | ||
| dye | (verb) to give a new color to, to stain (dye a white skirt red). n a coloring substance. n dyer. | ||
| dyke | see dike. | ||
| dynamic | (adjective) active, energetic (a dynamic new salesman). | ||
| Dynamics | study of forces and their effects on motion (see list of branches of science) | ||
| dynamics | (noun) the science of forces and movement. | ||
| dynamite | (noun) a powerful explosive (the bridges were blown up with dynamite). | ||
| dynamo | (noun) a machine for making electric current. | ||
| dynasty | (noun) a line of rulers of the same family (the Tudor dynasty in England). adj dynastic. | ||
| dysentery | (noun) a disease of the bowels. | ||
| dysfunctional | (adjective) not functioning in what is considered the normal fashion (a dysfunctional family). | ||
| Dysgenics | study of racial degeneration (see list of branches of science) | ||
| dyslexia | (noun) difficulty with reading and spelling caused by a slight disorder in the brain (the young boy has dyslexia). | ||
| Dysmorphophobia | fear of deformity (see list of phobias) | ||
| Dystychiphobia | fear of accidents (see list of phobias) | ||
E
| E, e | (noun) 1 the fifth letter of the alphabet. 2 (mus) the third note of the scale of C major. | ||
| each | (pronoun, adjective) every one taken singly or separately (each pupil is to bring money for the school trip/give a cake to each of the children). | ||
| eager | (adjective) full of desire, keen (eager to learn eager for news). n eagerness. | ||
| eagle | (noun) a large bird of prey. | ||
| eagle-eyed | (adjective) having very keen sight (the eagle-eyed teacher saw the children exchange notes). | ||
| eaglet | (noun) a young eagle. | ||
| ear1 | (noun) 1 the organ of hearing (she has a very sore ear). 2 the ability to hear the difference between sounds (a musical ear). 3 attention (have the president’s ear). | ||
| ear2 | (noun) a head or spike of corn. | ||
| earache | (noun) a pain in the ear. | ||
| eardrum | (noun) the tight skin across the inside of the ear that enables a person to hear sounds. | ||
| early | (adjective) 1 before the time arranged (the baby’s early arrival). 2 near the beginning (in the early part of the century). 3 belonging to the first stages of development, etc (early musical instruments). 4 (fml) soon (we look forward to an early reply). adv 1 near the beginning (of a period of time, etc) (early in the afternoon). 2 sooner than usual, sooner than expected, sooner than often, etc (arrive early for work). | ||
| earmark | (verb) to set aside for a special purpose (earmark some money for their children’s education). | ||
| earmuffs | (noun, plural) pads that fit over the ears to keep them from getting cold (earmuffs made from fake fur). | ||
| earn | (verb) 1 to get money in return for work (he earns more than $30,000 per year). 2 to deserve (earn their respect). | ||
| earnest | (adjective) 1 serious. 2 determined. n earnestness. in earnest meaning what one says (they thought he was joking about leaving but he was in earnest). | ||
| earnings | (noun, plural) wages, money paid for work done (pay tax on earnings). | ||
| earring | (noun) an ornament worn on the ear. | ||
| earshot | (noun) the distance within which one can hear something (be quiet—he’s within earshot). | ||
| earth | (noun) 1 the planet on which we live (people used to think that the earth was flat). 2 the world as opposed to heaven (heaven and earth). 3 dry land, the ground or soil (the earth, sea and sky urth-en/ adj | ||
| earthly | (adjective) having to do with the world, of worldly rather than heavenly things (earthly pleasures). | ||
| earthquake | (noun) a shaking movement of the surface of the earth. | ||
| earthwork | (noun) a defensive wall of earth. | ||
| earthworm | (noun) a worm that lives in the soil. | ||
| earthy | (adjective) 1 like, or of, earth (an earthy smell). 2 coarse, not refined (earthy humor). | ||
| ease | (noun) 1 freedom from anxiety or pain (a mind at ease). 2 lack of difficulty (do the job with ease). 3 freedom from work; rest, comfort (a life of ease). 4 naturalness (ease of manner). vb 1 to lessen (easing the pain/the pain has eased). 2 to move gently or gradually (ease the piano through the door). | ||
| easel | (noun) a stand to hold a picture, blackboard, etc, upright (an artist’s easel). | ||
| east | (noun, adjective) and adv one of the four chief points of the compass, the direction in which the sun rises. adj eastern, eastwards. the East the countries of Asia. | ||
| Easter | (noun) a Christian festival which commemorates the rising of Christ from the dead. | ||
| easterly | (adjective) from or toward the east (easterly winds). | ||
| easy | (adjective) 1 not difficult (easy tasks/easy exams). 2 free from anxiety or pain (an easy mind). 3 comfortable (an easy life). 4 relaxed, leisurely (walk with an easy stride). | ||
| easy-going | (adjective) not easily worried or angered (an easy-going mother who is not upset by her children’s noise). | ||
| eat | (verb) (pt ate, pp eaten) 1 to chew and swallow, as food (eat a lot of chocolate/eat only vegetarian food). 2 to wear away (acids eating metal). | ||
| eating disorder | (noun) an emotional disorder in which the sufferer has an irrational attitude toward food. | ||
| eaves | (noun, plural) that part of the roof that comes out beyond the walls. | ||
| eavesdrop | (verb) (eavesdropped, eavesdropping) to try to hear what others are saying to each other privately (find out their secrets by eavesdropping on their conversation eevz-drop-er/. | ||
| ebb | (noun) 1 the flowing back of the tide. 2 a falling away or weakening (the ebb of the emperor’s power). vb 1 to flow back (the tide ebbing). 2 to grow less, weak, faint, etc (enthusiasm began to ebb). | ||
| ebony | (noun) a hard black wood. adj 1 made of ebony (the ebony keys on the piano). 2 black (the horse was called Ebony after the ebony colour of his coat). | ||
| eccentric | (adjective) 1 odd, strange (an eccentric old woman ek-sen-tri-si-tee/. | ||
| Ecclesiology | study of church affairs (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ecclesiophobia | fear of church (see list of phobias) | ||
| Eccrinology | study of excretion (see list of branches of science) | ||
| echo | (noun) (pl echoes) 1 the repeating of a sound by the reflection of sound waves from a surface (hear the echo in the cave). 2 an imitation (work that is an echo of Shakespeare). vb 1 to repeat, to throw back a sound (the cave echoed back his shout). 2 to imitate (echoing their leader’s behavior). | ||
| eclipse | (noun) 1 the cutting off of the light from the sun by the moon coming between it and the earth. 2 the darkening of the face of the moon by the earth coming between it and the sun. 3 a failure caused by the unexpected success of another (a writer who suffered an eclipse when younger writers gained popularity). vb 1 to cut off the light from, to darken. 2 to make another seem inferior by outdoing (eclipsing her husband as a painter/eclipsed by her beautiful talented sister). | ||
| ecology | (noun) 1 the science of the life of things in their physical surroundings (study ecology). 2 the relation of plants and living creatures to each other and to their surroundings (pollution affecting the ecology of the area). ecological adj. | ||
| Ecology | study of environment (see list of branches of science) | ||
| e-commerce | (noun) electronic commerce, business conducted on-line. | ||
| economic | (adjective) 1 having to do with economics (the government’s economic policy). 2 designed to give a profit (charge an economic rent/not economic for the shop to open in the evening). | ||
| economical | (adjective) careful of money, not wasteful (an economical meal/be economical with cream in cooking). | ||
| economics | (noun) the study of the means of increasing the wealth of a community or nation. | ||
| Economics | study of material wealth (production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services) (see list of branches of science) | ||
| economist | (noun) a person who studies economics. | ||
| economize, economise (Br) | (verb) to spend or use carefully, to save, to be economical (economizing on gas by walking to work). | ||
| economy | (noun) 1 management of the wealth, money, goods, etc, of a home, business or country. 2 sparing use of money (he said the whole family would have to practice economy). | ||
| Ecophobia | fear of cataclysmic environmental change (see list of phobias) | ||
| ecosystem | (noun) all the plants and living creatures that live in an area and depend on each other, together with their habitat (The ecosystem of the lakeshore is being threatened by factory waste). | ||
| ecstasy | (noun) great delight or joy (religious ecstasy/be in ecstasies after her victory). | ||
| ecstatic | (adjective) delighted, carried away by joy (ecstatic at the birth of their child/ecstatic players celebrated their win). | ||
| eczema | (noun) a skin disease. | ||
| Edaphology | study of soils (see list of branches of science) | ||
| eddy | (noun) a whirling current of water or air, a whirlpool or whirlwind (eddies of mist on the mountain tops). vb to move in eddies (mist eddied round the mountain tops). | ||
| Eden | (noun) (OT) the garden of Adam and Eve; paradise. | ||
| edge | (noun) 1 the sharp side of a blade (put an edge on the knife). 2 a border or boundary (the edge of the lake). 3 keenness, sharpness (a wit with an edge edging away from their angry mother). 2 to put a border on (edge a lawn with flowers/edge a handkerchief with lace). | ||
| edgewise | (adjective) also (Br) edgeways sideways (get the wardrobe through the door edgewise). | ||
| edging | (noun) a border or fringe (the edging on the woolen shawl). | ||
| edible | (adjective) able or fit to be eaten (food that is scarcely edible/edible berries). | ||
| edit | (verb) to prepare for printing or publication (her job was to edit the manuscript). | ||
| edition | (noun) the number of copies of a book or newspaper published at one time (the late edition of the newspaper). | ||
| editor | (noun) 1 a person who edits (the editor of a manuscript). 2 a person who collects the material for a newspaper or magazine and selects what is to be published or who is in charge of a newspaper or part of a newspaper (a fashion editor). | ||
| editorial | (adjective) of an editor. n an article by the editor or someone chosen by him or her on a matter of immediate interest (an editorial on the country’s economic situation). | ||
| educate | (verb) to teach or train (educating children to the age of sixteen). n education. | ||
| educational | (adjective) having to do with education (educational opportunities). | ||
| eel | (noun) a snake-like fish. | ||
| eerie, eery | (adjective) strange and frightening (eerie sounds in the night/the eerie feeling of a graveyard at night). | ||
| effect | (noun) 1 result; power to bring about a change (a medicine that had little effect/angry words that had no effect on the child’s behavior). 2 impression (flower arrangements creating a colorful effect). 3 pl goods, property (personal effects). 4 pl lighting and sounds used in a play, film, etc (special effects in the horror film). vb to bring about, to succeed in doing, to produce (effecting a market change). | ||
| effective | (adjective) 1 doing what is intended or desired, successful (an effective cure). 2 striking (an effective use of color). 3 actual, real (in effective control of the film). 4 in operation, working (a new system of taxation effective from next week). | ||
| effeminate | (adjective) womanish, unmanly (a man walking in an effeminate way). n effeminacy. | ||
| effervesce | (verb) to bubble or sparkle (champagne effervescing in the glasses). n effervescence. | ||
| effervescent | (adjective) 1 bubbling, sparkling (effervescent wine). 2 lively and enthusiastic (young people in an effervescent mood). | ||
| efficient | (adjective) 1 able to do what is necessary or intended without wasting time, energy, etc (an efficient filing system). 2 good at one’s job, capable (an efficient administrator). n efficiency. | ||
| effigy | (noun) 1 a likeness in the form of a picture, statue or carving (stone effigies of Buddha). 2 the head on a coin. 3 a figure of a person (burn an effigy of the dictator). | ||
| effluent | (adjective) flowing out from. n 1 the discharge of liquid waste matter, sewage, etc (the effluent from the factory). 2 a stream flowing from a larger stream. n effluence. | ||
| effort | (noun) 1 an energetic attempt (make a real effort to arrive on time). 2 the making use of strength or ability (take a lot of effort to move the rock). | ||
| effortless | (adjective) with ease, without trying hard (playing with effortless skill/what seemed an effortless victory). | ||
| effusive | (adjective) expressing one’s feelings too freely; pretending to feel more than one really feels (an effusive welcome by the hostess). n effusiveness. | ||
| egg | (noun) 1 an object, usually covered with a hard brittle shell, laid by a bird, reptile, etc, from which a young one is hatched. 2 such an object laid by the domestic hen and used as food (have a boiled egg for breakfast). 3 in the female mammal, the cell from which the young is formed; the ovum. | ||
| egg on | (verb) to try to get somebody (to do something); to urge, to encourage (egg his friend on to steal the apples). | ||
| eggplant | (noun) a vegetable with a shiny, dark purple skin, often egg-shaped or long and pear-shaped, used in cooking. | ||
| ego | (noun) 1 the image a person has of himself or herself. 2 self confidence to the point of being conceited, egotism. | ||
| egoism | (noun) 1 selfishness, self-centeredness. 2 egotism. | ||
| egoist | (noun) a selfish person. adj egoistic. | ||
| egotism | (noun) 1 excessive talking about yourself. 2 an exaggerated opinion of yourself. | ||
| egotist | (noun) a person always talking of himself or herself (he’s such an egotist that he bores everyone with tales of his personal life). n egotism. adj egotistic, egotistical. | ||
| Egyptology | study of ancient Egypt (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Eicophobia | fear of home or home surroundings (see list of phobias) | ||
| Eidology | study of mental imagery (see list of branches of science) | ||
| eight | (noun) the number 8, coming between seven and nine. | ||
| eighteen | (noun) the number 18, coming between seventeen and nineteen. | ||
| eighteenth | (adjective)18th, coming after seventeen others. n one of eighteen equal parts. | ||
| eighth | (adjective) 8th, coming after seven others. n one of eight equal parts. | ||
| eighty | (noun) the number between seventy-nine and eighty-one. adj eightieth 80th. | ||
| Eisoptrophobia | fear of mirrors or of seeing oneself in a mirror (see list of phobias) | ||
| either | (adjective, pronoun, conjuction and adverb) one or other of two (either book will do/either of the restaurants is suitable). | ||
| eject | (verb) to throw out (the pilot was ejected before the plane crashed). | ||
| ejection | (noun) 1 act of throwing out. 2 the act of compelling someone to leave (the ejection of tenants who have not paid their rent). | ||
| Ekistics | study of human settlement (see list of branches of science) | ||
| elaborate | (adjective) 1 worked out with great care (elaborate preparations). 2 having many parts (elaborate machines). 3 very decorative (an elaborate carving). vb 1 to work out very carefully; to add to and improve upon (they were constantly elaborating their plans). 2 to explain fully (elaborate on what you said). n elaboration. | ||
| elapse | (verb) (fml) (of time) to pass (a few years had elapsed). | ||
| elastic | (adjective) able to stretch or be stretched easily, but returning immediately to its former shape (a skirt with an elastic waistband). n 1 a rubber band. 2 a strip of material lined with rubber to make it elastic. | ||
| elasticity | (noun) springiness. | ||
| elate | (verb) to make very glad or proud (they were elated by the news of his victory). n elation. | ||
| elated | (adjective) to be filled with happiness or pride (the elated parents watched their son graduate). | ||
| elbow | (noun) 1 the joint between the forearm and upper arm. 2 a sharp bend or corner (an elbow in the pipe). vb to push with the elbow. | ||
| elder1 | (adjective) older (a younger sister and an elder brother). n 1 an older member of a community (the elders of the tribe). 2 an official in certain Christian churches (e.g. the Presbyterian). | ||
| elder2 | (noun) a tree with small purple berries. | ||
| elderly | (adjective) old, getting old (seats reserved for elderly people). | ||
| eldest | (adjective) oldest (her eldest daughter). | ||
| elect | (verb) 1 (fml) to choose (elect to go by train). 2 to choose by voting (elect a new president). adj chosen. n 1 those chosen. 2 those chosen by God. | ||
| election | (noun) act of choosing, especially by vote (a presidential election). | ||
| elector | (noun) a person with the right to vote (politicians trying to convince the electors). | ||
| electoral | (adjective) having to do with electors (the electoral roll). | ||
| electorate | (noun) all those having the right to vote on a certain occasion (a high proportion of the electorate do not bother to vote). | ||
| electric | (adjective) 1 having to do with electricity. 2 exciting, thrilling (an electric performance). npl electric fittings. | ||
| electrical | (adjective) having to do with electricity, worked by electricity. | ||
| electrician | (noun) a person who works with electricity or electrical apparatus. | ||
| electricity | (noun) an energy produced by chemical or other action, a natural force that can be harnessed to give heat, light and power. | ||
| electrify | (verb) 1 to put electricity into (electrify the railway line). 2 to thrill (electrified by the orchestra’s performance). | ||
| Electrochemistry | study of relations between electricity and chemicals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| electrocute | (verb) to kill by electricity (in some states convicted murderers are electrocuted). n electrocution. | ||
| electrode | (noun) either of the two conductors through which electricity enters or leaves something, such as a battery. | ||
| Electrodynamics | study of the effects arising from the interactions of electric currents with magnets, with other currents, or with themselves (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Electrology | study of electricity (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Electromagnetism | study of electromagnetic force (see list of branches of science) | ||
| electron | (noun) the negative electrical unit in an atom. | ||
| electronic | (adjective) of a device, having many small parts, such as microchips and transistors, which control and direct an electric current (an electronic calculator). | ||
| electronics | (noun) the branch of technology that is concerned with electronic devices such as computers and televisions. | ||
| Electrophobia | fear of electricity (see list of phobias) | ||
| Electrostatics | study of static electricity (see list of branches of science) | ||
| elegant | (adjective) 1 graceful, smart, stylish (an elegant woman e-le-ganse/. | ||
| elegy | (noun) a mourning or sorrowful poem. | ||
| element | (noun) 1 a necessary part (have all the elements of a good crime novel/a sensible economic policy is a vital element of government). 2 a substance that cannot be broken down into any other substances and from which all other things are made up (elements such as hydrogen). 3 pl knowledge without which a subject cannot be properly understood (fail to grasp the elements of mathematics). the elements nature, the weather (exposed to the elements without shelter). | ||
| elemental | (adjective) 1 having to do with elements. 2 having to do with the powers of nature (the elemental forces of nature). 3 basic (elemental truths). | ||
| elementary | (adjective) 1 having to do with the beginning (elementary steps in mathematics). 2 simple, easy (elementary questions). | ||
| elephant | (noun) a large very thick-skinned animal with a trunk and ivory tusks. white elephant a gift or purchase that turns out to be of no use, a useless possession that is troublesome to keep up or retain. | ||
| Eleutherophobia | fear of freedom (see list of phobias) | ||
| elevate | (verb) 1 (fml) to make finer, better, more educated, etc (elevating the minds of his pupils). 2 to raise to a higher place or rank (elevated him to the rank of captain). | ||
| elevation | (noun) 1 the act of raising. 2 (fml) a hill (from an elevation above the city). 3 height (at an elevation of 1500 meters). 4 a plan showing a building as seen from one side. 5 the angle measuring height. | ||
| elevator | (noun) a platform or cage for carrying people and goods to different levels of a building (take the elevator to the top floor). | ||
| eleven | (noun) the number 11, coming between ten and twelve. | ||
| eleven | Collective noun for cricketers (An eleven of cricketers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| eleventh | (adjective) 11th, coming after ten others others. n one of eleven equal parts. | ||
| elf | (noun) (pl elves) in fairy tales, a mischievous fairy. adj elfin, elfish, elvish. | ||
| elicat | Collective noun for gloves (An elicat of gloves) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| eligible | (adjective) able to be chosen, suitable (eligible for the post e-li-ji-bi-le-tee/. | ||
| eliminate | (verb) to get rid of (eliminating him from our list of suspects i-li-mi-nay-shun/. | ||
| elite | (noun) a group that is at a higher level or rank, professionally, socially or in ability, etc (the elite of the tennis club/the elite of Boston society). | ||
| elixir | (noun) (old) a magic liquid that, alchemists believed, could change any metal into gold, or enable people to live for ever. | ||
| elk | (noun) a type of large deer. | ||
| ellipse | (noun) an oval figure. | ||
| elm | (noun) a type of tree with rough, jagged leaves. | ||
| elongate | (verb) 1 to make longer (figures in the painting that are too elongated). 2 to stretch out (feel that the speaker had unnecessarily elongated his speech). n elongation. | ||
| elope | (verb) to leave home secretly with one’s lover (decided to elope when their parents forbade them to marry). n elopement. | ||
| eloquent | (adjective) 1 able to speak well, especially in public, and express one’s ideas and opinions effectively (an eloquent speaker). 2 showing or using such an ability (an eloquent appeal to possible blood donors). n eloquence. | ||
| else | (adjective) 1 besides, also (what else did he say? decide to live somewhere else). | ||
| elsewhere | (adverb) in another place (unhappy in his job and applying for jobs elsewhere). | ||
| elude | (verb) 1 to escape or avoid by quickness, cleverness or trickery (a criminal who has eluded the police for many years). 2 to be difficult, etc, to understand or remember (a name that eludes me/a cure for cancer that has eluded the researchers). | ||
| Elurophobia | fear of cats (see list of phobias) | ||
| elusive | (adjective) 1 hard to remember, express, identify, etc (an elusive perfume). 2 hard to catch or track down (elusive criminals). | ||
| elves | plural of elf. | ||
| email, e-mail | (noun) 1 electronic mail, a system for sending communications from one computer to another, using a telephone connection and a modem. 2 a message sent by email. vb to send (a message) by email (email the list of club members). | ||
| emanate | (verb) (fml) to come from (interesting smells emanating from the kitchen). n emanation. | ||
| emancipate | (verb) to free from control (emancipate from slavery). n emancipation. | ||
| embalm | (verb) to preserve a dead body with spices or chemicals. | ||
| embankment | (noun) a mound of stones and earth built to shut in a river or to carry a road, railway, etc, over low ground. | ||
| embargo | (noun) (pl embargoes) 1 an official order forbidding the departure or arrival of ships in the ports of a country. 2 a legal stoppage of commercial activity with another country (put an embargo on trade with countries practicing racism). | ||
| embark | (verb) 1 to put or go on board ship. 2 to start (embarking on a new career). n embarkation. | ||
| embarrass | (verb) 1 to cause to feel shy or uncomfortable (embarrass her by paying her compliments). 2 to involve in difficulties (find himself financially embarrassed). n embarrassment. | ||
| embarrassment | Collective noun for riches (An embarrassment of riches) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| embassy | (noun) 1 the duties of an ambassador. 2 the house of an ambassador. 3 a group of people sent by a country to act for it in another country. | ||
| embed | (verb) to fix firmly and deeply into something (the stone was embedded in his foot/the instructions were embedded in her brain). | ||
| embers | (noun, plural) 1 live cinders of a dying fire (stare into the embers of the fire). 2 the fading remains (trying to rekindle the embers of their love). | ||
| embezzle | (verb) to steal money that one has been entrusted with by other people. n embezzlement. | ||
| embitter | (verb) to make someone feel bitter, to increase anger or hatred (embittered by the disloyalty of his followers). | ||
| emblem | (noun) an object that is regarded as a sign of something (the dove is the emblem of peace). adj emblematic, emblematical. | ||
| embodiment | (noun) a living example (he is the embodiment of the old-fashioned gentleman/the embodiment of politeness). | ||
| embody | (verb) 1 to give a solid form to, to express in a real or physical form (the country’s constitution embodies the principles of freedom). 2 to include (a computer system embodying many new features). | ||
| embolden | (verb) to give courage, to make bold (emboldened by the silence they moved forward). | ||
| emboss | (verb) to make a raised pattern on (embossing leather with a pattern/with the firm’s name and address embossed on the writing paper). | ||
| embrace | (verb) 1 to hold in the arms, to hug (embracing his wife fondly). 2 to include (a speech that embraced many topics). Also n. | ||
| embroider | (verb) 1 to decorate with needlework (embroidering a handkerchief with a border of roses). 2 to add interesting or exaggerated details to a story (embroidered the account of his unhappy childhood). | ||
| embroidery | (noun) 1 the art of decorating with needlework. 2 the act of adding interesting or exaggerated detail to. 3 decorative needlework. | ||
| embryo | (noun) 1 the form of any creature before it is born or grows (an egg containing the embryo of a chicken). 2 the beginning stage of anything (plans that are yet in embryo). adj embryonic. | ||
| Embryology | study of embryos (see list of branches of science) | ||
| emerald | (noun) a bright green precious stone. adj bright green (an emerald dress). | ||
| emerge | (verb) 1 to come out (swimmers emerging from the water). 2 to become known (facts beginning to emerge i-mer-jense i-mer-jent/. | ||
| emergency | (noun) a state of affairs requiring immediate action (call 911 in an emergency/use one’s savings only in an emergency). | ||
| emery | (noun) a very hard mineral, made into powder and used for polishing or sharpening metals. | ||
| Emetology | study of vomiting (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Emetophobia | fear of vomiting (see list of phobias) | ||
| emigrant | (noun) a person who emigrates. Also adj. | ||
| emigrate | (verb) to leave one’s country and go to live in another (emigrating to find work overseas). n emigration. | ||
| eminence | (noun) 1 (fml) a high place, a hill (the view from the eminence above the town). 2 fame (achieve eminence as an artist). 3 the title given to a cardinal in the RC Church. | ||
| eminent | (adjective) distinguished, very well-known (one of our most eminent writers). | ||
| emit | (verb) (emitted, emitting) to send or give out (chimneys emitting smoke e-mi-shun/. | ||
| Emmenology | study of menstruation (see list of branches of science) | ||
| emotion | (noun) 1 strong or deep feeling (emotions such as love and hate). 2 the moving or upsetting of the mind or feelings (overcome by emotion). | ||
| emotional | (adjective) 1 of the emotions (emotional problems). 2 causing or showing deep feelings (an emotional farewell). 3 easily moved by emotion (a very emotional person). | ||
| empathy | (noun) the ability to imagine oneself in another’s situation (I felt empathy for what he was going through). vb empathize, also empathise (Br). | ||
| emperor | (noun) the ruler of an empire. f empress. | ||
| emphasis | (noun) (pl emphases) 1 the added force with which certain words or parts of words are spoken (place the emphasis on the first syllable). 2 special meaning, value, importance, etc (the emphasis in the firm is on efficiency). | ||
| emphasize | (verb) also emphasise (Br) 1 to say with emphasis (emphasizing the first syllable of the word). 2 to call attention to specially, to stress (emphasized the trustworthiness of his friends). | ||
| emphatic | (adjective) forceful, firm and definite (an emphatic denial). | ||
| empire | (noun) 1 a group of countries under the rule of one of their number. 2 a large industrial organization controlling many firms (a fast-food empire). | ||
| employ | (verb) 1 to give work to (a firm employing hundreds of factory workers). 2 to use (employed tact). | ||
| employee | (noun) a person paid to work for another person or for a firm (the firm had to sack several of its employees). | ||
| employer | (noun) someone who gives work to another. | ||
| employment | (noun) job, occupation (seek employment in industry). | ||
| emporium | (noun) (pl emporia or emporiums) 1 a market. 2 a large store in which many different kinds of things are sold. | ||
| empower | (verb) to give the right or power to (police empowered to stop and search cars). | ||
| empress | female emperor | ||
| empty | (adjective) having nothing inside (empty barrels empty the cupboard). 2 to become empty (shops emptying at closing time). n emptiness. | ||
| emu | (noun) a large Australian flightless bird. | ||
| emulate | (verb) (fml) to try to be like or as good as or better than (try to emulate his elder brother on the football field). | ||
| emulation | (noun) act of emulating; rivalry. | ||
| emulsion | (noun) 1 a mixture of two liquids that would normally remain separate (e.g. oil and vinegar). 2 a type of paint. | ||
| enable | (verb) to give the power or means to do something (more money enabling the firm to expand). | ||
| enact | (verb) 1 to lay down by law, to pass a law (laws enacted in Congress). 2 to act, perform (enact scenes from Shakespeare). | ||
| enamel | (noun) 1 a smooth, glossy coating put on metals or wood to preserve or decorate them. 2 the outer covering of the teeth. vb (enamelled, enamelling) to cover with enamel. | ||
| encase | (verb) to put in a case or covering (encasing the broken leg in plaster). | ||
| enchant | (verb) 1 (old) to put a magic spell on (the enchanted wood). 2 to delight (children enchanted by the ballet). n enchanter. f enchantress. n enchantment. | ||
| encircle | (verb) to surround; to make a circle round (a field encircled by trees in-sir-cl-ment/. | ||
| enclose | (verb) 1 to shut in, to fence in (enclosing the garden within a wall). 2 to send with a letter (enclose an application form). | ||
| enclosure | (noun) 1 a space shut or fenced in (an enclosure for ponies). 2 something sent with a letter (a check sent as an enclosure). | ||
| encompass | (verb) 1 to surround. 2 to include or comprise (a course encompassing a wide range of subjects). | ||
| encore | (adverb) again, once more. n 1 a call to a performer to repeat something or perform something else. 2 the repetition of part of a performance or a further performance by the same person or people given after the main performance. Also vb. | ||
| encounter | (noun) 1 a meeting, especially an unexpected one (a brief encounter with an old friend). 2 a fight or quarrel (an encounter between the opposing armies). vb to meet (encountered her ex-husband in the street/encountering several problems). | ||
| encourage | (verb) 1 to make bold (their victory encouraged the troops). 2 to urge on (encouraging the pupils to stay on at school). n encouragement. | ||
| encyclopedia | (noun), also encyclopaedia (Br) a book or set of books containing information about every subject or about every branch of one subject. | ||
| encyclopedic | (adjective) very detailed or complete (encyclopedic knowledge). | ||
| end | (noun) 1 the last part of anything (the end of the book strive toward such an end). vb to bring or come to an end (ending his life/the book ends happily). | ||
| endanger | (verb) to put someone or something in a dangerous or harmful situation (endanger their health by smoking). adj endangered in danger or at risk, especially of ceasing to exist (trying to conserve an endangered species). | ||
| endear | (verb) to make dear (she endeared herself to him by being kind to his mother). | ||
| endeavor | (verb) also endeavour (Br) to try, to try hard (endeavoring to win). n attempt, effort (make every endeavor to succeed). | ||
| endemic | (adjective) found specially among one people or in one place (endemic diseases). | ||
| Endemiology | study of local diseases (see list of branches of science) | ||
| endless | (adjective) 1 having no end (an endless conveyor belt). 2 seemingly having no end (the endless noise). | ||
| Endocrinology | study of glands (see list of branches of science) | ||
| endorse | (verb) 1 to sign one’s name on the back of a check or document. 2 to express approval or support (his proposals endorsed by the committee in-dorss-ment/. | ||
| endow | (verb) 1 to provide with a permanent income. 2 to give, to grant (endowed with great charm). n endowment. | ||
| endurance | (noun) the ability to endure or bear patiently (the marathon race is a test of endurance/bear pain with endurance). | ||
| endure | (verb) 1 (fml) to last (houses built to endure). 2 to bear patiently (enduring a lot of pain). 3 to put up with (hard to endure noisy neighbors). | ||
| enemy | (noun) 1 a person who is unfriendly, someone who acts against another (make a lot of enemies in business). 2 those with whom one is at war (form an alliance against the enemy). Also adj. | ||
| energetic | (adjective) active, powerful, vigorous. | ||
| Energetics | study of energy under transformation within various fields (see list of branches of science) | ||
| energize | (verb) also energise (Br) to give energy to (healthy food energizing him). | ||
| energy | (noun) active power, force, vigor (set about the work with energy/lack energy since her illness). | ||
| Enetephobia | fear of pins (see list of phobias) | ||
| Enetophobia | fear of pins (see list of phobias) | ||
| enforce | (noun) to cause to be obeyed or carried out (police enforcing traffic laws). n enforcement. | ||
| engage | (verb) 1 (fml) to bind oneself by a promise, to promise (engage to pay the money back in installments). 2 to begin to employ (engaging a gardener). 3 to begin fighting (the armies engaged at dawn). 4 to busy (oneself) with (engage oneself in household activities). 5 to attract and keep (engaging the child’s attention). | ||
| engagement | (noun) 1 (fml) a written agreement (unable to meet all his financial engagements). 2 a promise to marry (announce their engagement). 3 an arrangement to meet someone, an appointment (a previous engagement). 4 a battle (an engagement that ended the war). | ||
| engaging | (adjective) pleasing, attractive (an engaging smile). | ||
| engine | (noun) 1 a machine that produces power (a car engine). 2 a railway locomotive. | ||
| engineer | (noun) 1 a person who looks after engines. 2 a person who makes or designs machinery, roads, bridges, etc. 3 a person who drives a railway locomotive. vb to arrange for or cause something to happen, usually by clever, cunning or secret means (engineered a surprise party for her birthday/engineering his son’s promotion). | ||
| engineering | (noun) the science of making and using machines. | ||
| Engineering studies | study of engineering (see list of branches of science) | ||
| engrave | (verb) 1 to cut or carve on metal, stone, wood, etc (engraving his name on the trophy that he won/engrave flowers on the table top). 2 to cut a picture on a metal plate in order to print copies of it. | ||
| engraving | (noun) a print from an engraved plate. | ||
| engross | (verb) to take up one’s whole time or attention (children engrossed by the film). n engrossment. | ||
| engulf | (verb) to swallow up (a flood that threatened to engulf the town/people engulfed with grief). | ||
| enhance | (verb) to increase in amount, value, importance, etc; to increase, to improve (qualifications enhancing her job prospects in-hanse-ment/. | ||
| enigma | (noun) a person or thing that is difficult to understand; a mystery (we’ve known her for years but she is still a bit of an enigma to us/his background is an enigma to us). | ||
| enigmatic, enigmatical | (adjective) having to do with an enigma, mysterious (an enigmatic smile). | ||
| Enigmatology | study of enigmas (puzzles) (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Enissophobia | fear of having committed an unpardonable sin or of criticism (see list of phobias) | ||
| enjoy | (verb) 1 to take pleasure in (enjoy reading enjoy a comfortable income). adj enjoyable. n enjoyment. | ||
| enlarge | (verb) 1 (fml) to make larger (enlarging the lawn). 2 to reproduce (a photograph) on a larger scale. 3 to talk at length about (enlarge on his previous comments). | ||
| enlargement | (noun) 1 act of making larger. 2 a larger copy of a photograph. | ||
| enlighten | (verb) (fml) to give more and correct information or knowledge about (enlighten me as to the cause of the fire). n enlightenment. | ||
| enlist | (verb) 1 to join the armed forces. 2 to obtain support (enlist friends to help paint the house). 3 to obtain from (enlist help from the neighbors). n enlistment. | ||
| enliven | (verb) to brighten, to cheer (enliven a dull party). | ||
| Enochlophobia | fear of crowds (see list of phobias) | ||
| enormity | (noun) 1 immensity (the enormity of the task). 2 a great wickedness (the enormity of the crime). 3 a crime, an act of great wickedness (enormities committed during the war). | ||
| enormous | (adjective) huge, very large (an enormous creature/enormous sums of money). | ||
| Enosiophobia | fear of having committed an unpardonable sin or of criticism (see list of phobias) | ||
| enough | (adjective) as many or as much as is required (enough food for the four of them). n a sufficient amount (I have eaten enough). | ||
| enquire | see inquire. | ||
| enrage | (verb) to make very angry (enraged by the child’s impertinence). | ||
| enrapture | (noun) (fml) to fill with delight (enraptured by the dancer’s performance). | ||
| enrich | (verb) 1 to make rich (a country enriched by its oil resources). 2 to improve greatly in quality (enriching the soil in-rich-ment/. | ||
| enroll | (verb) (enrolled, enrolling) 1 to write (a name) in a list (enroll her daughter in the ballet class). 2 to join or become a member (decide to enroll in the aerobics class). n enrollment. | ||
| ensemble | (noun) 1 a group of musicians regularly performing together (a woodwind ensemble). 2 clothing made up of several items, an outfit (wear a green ensemble to the wedding). 3 all the parts of a thing taken as a whole (the furniture of the room forms a pleasing ensemble). | ||
| ensemble | Collective noun for homosexuals (An ensemble of homosexuals) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| enslave | (verb) (fml) to make a slave of (enslaved by her beauty). | ||
| ensue | (verb) to follow upon, to result from (the fire and the panic that ensued). | ||
| ensure | (verb) to make sure (he ensured that the family was well provided for/ensuring their success). | ||
| entail | (verb) 1 to leave land or property to be passed down through a succession of heirs. 2 to make necessary, to involve (a post that entails a lot of hard work). n land or property so left. | ||
| entangle | (verb) 1 to cause to become twisted, tangled or caught (a bird entangled in wire netting/a long scarf entangled in the rose bushes). 2 to get into difficulties or complications (become entangled in an unhappy love affair). | ||
| entanglement | (noun) a difficult situation, involvement (his entanglement with the police). | ||
| enter | (verb) 1 to go or come into (entered the building by the back door). 2 to become a member of (enter politics). 3 to put down in writing (entering the money spent). | ||
| enterprise | (noun) 1 an undertaking or project, especially one that is difficult or daring (a new business enterprise). 2 willingness to take risks or to try out new ideas (show enterprise by starting their own business). | ||
| enterprising | (adjective) having or showing enterprise (an enterprising young man/an enterprising scheme). | ||
| entertain | (verb) 1 to receive as a guest (entertain them in your own home). 2 to please, to amuse (a magician to entertain the children at the birthday party). 3 (fml) to consider (refuse to entertain the idea). | ||
| entertainment | (noun) 1 the act of entertaining (the entertainment of dinner guests/the entertainment of children at the party). 2 amusement (children seeking entertainment). 3 something that entertains, such as a public performance (a musical entertainment). | ||
| enthrall | (verb) (enthralled, enthralling) to delight, to enchant (enthralled by her performance). n enthrallment. | ||
| enthrone | (verb) (fml) to place on a throne (enthroning the new king). n enthronement. | ||
| enthuse | (verb) to be, become or cause to be enthusiastic, to show enthusiasm (enthusing over the new fashions). | ||
| enthusiasm | (noun) great eagerness, keenness (show no enthusiasm for the new scheme/play the game with great enthusiasm). | ||
| enthusiast | (noun) a person who is very keen (a baseball enthusiast). | ||
| enthusiastic | (adjective) full of enthusiasm (enthusiastic about the new house/enthusiastic theatergoers). | ||
| entice | (verb) to tempt, to attract by offering something (enticing birds into the garden by putting out food). n enticement. adj enticing. | ||
| entire | (adjective) whole, complete (paint the entire house in-tire-lee/. | ||
| entirety | (noun) completeness. | ||
| entitle | (verb) 1 to give a right to (a ticket entitling us to attend the exhibition). 2 to give a name to (a book entitled “Green Dragons”.) | ||
| entity | (noun) 1 existence. 2 anything that exists (separate political entities). | ||
| Entomology | study of insects (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Entomophobia | fear of insects (see list of phobias) | ||
| entourage | Collective noun for attendants (An entourage of attendants) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Entozoology | study of parasites that live inside larger organisms (see list of branches of science) | ||
| entrails | (noun, plural) the bowels, the internal organs of the body (a sheep’s entrails). | ||
| entrance | Collective noun for actresses (An entrance of actresses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| entrance1 | (verb) to delight, to fill with wonder (children entranced by the lights on the Christmas tree). | ||
| entrance2 | (noun) 1 coming or going in (applaud the entrance of the actor). 2 a place by which one enters (e.g. a door or gate) (the side entrance of the building). | ||
| entrant | (noun) a person who puts his or her name in for or joins (entrants in the race/the youngest entrant won the competition). | ||
| entrap | (verb) (entrapped, entrapping) to catch in a trap or by a trick. | ||
| entreat | (verb) (fml) to ask earnestly (entreat her to help him). | ||
| entreaty | (noun) an earnest request (the tyrant refused to listen to her entreaties for mercy). | ||
| entrée | (noun) a main course at dinner. | ||
| entrench | (verb) 1 to dig ditches around, thus putting oneself in a strong position (with the enemy army entrenched across the river). 2 to establish firmly or in a strong position (entrenched in that job for years/entrenched in old-fashioned ideas and attitudes). | ||
| entrust | (verb) to give into the care of (entrust her children to him). | ||
| entry | (noun) 1 act of entering (try to gain entry to the locked building/their country’s entry into the war). 2 a way in (the entry to the apartment block). 3 something written in a diary, cash book, etc (read out the entry for yesterday). | ||
| enunciate | (verb) to speak or state, to pronounce in a distinct way (enunciating his words clearly). n enunciation. | ||
| envelop | (verb) to cover or surround completely (mountains enveloped in mist/a long coat enveloping a small figure). | ||
| envelope | (noun) 1 a wrapper or cover, especially one made of paper for a letter (address the envelope). | ||
| enviable | (adjective) causing envy, very desirable (an enviable lifestyle). | ||
| envious | (adjective) full of envy, jealous (friends envious of her achievement/envious neighbors looking at her new car). | ||
| environment | (noun) 1 surroundings. 2 all the conditions and surroundings that influence human character. 3 the natural world in which people, animals and plants live. adj environmental. | ||
| envisage | (verb) (fml) to picture to oneself (I could not envisage myself agreeing to such a plan/impossible to envisage him as a young man). | ||
| envoy | (noun) a messenger, especially one sent to speak for his or her government in another country (envoys sent to discuss a peace treaty with France). | ||
| envy | (noun) 1 a feeling of discontent caused by someone else’s good fortune or success, especially when one would like these for oneself (try to hide their envy at his winning the medal look with envy at her new car). 2 something that causes envy (a dress that was the envy of her friends). vb to feel envy toward or at (I envy him his good luck). | ||
| Enzymology | study of enzymes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| eon | (noun) also aeon (Br) 1 an age; an immeasurably long time. 2 the longest division of geological time equal to two or more eras. | ||
| Eosophobia | fear of dawn or daylight (see list of phobias) | ||
| epaulette | (noun) a flap of material, sometimes of another color, worn on the shoulder of a uniform jacket (a soldier’s epaulettes). | ||
| Ephebiatrics | study of adolescence (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ephebiphobia | fear of teenagers or of young people (see list of phobias) | ||
| ephemeral | (adjective) lasting for only a short time (ephemeral pleasures/ephemeral fashions in dress). | ||
| epic | (noun) 1 a long poem telling of heroic deeds (Homer’s Iliad is a famous epic). 2 a story, movie, etc, dealing with heroic deeds and exciting adventures (watch an epic about the Roman empire). adj of or like an epic; heroic; in the grand style (an epic journey). | ||
| epidemic | (noun) a disease or condition that attacks many people at the same time (an epidemic of influenza/a measles epidemic). | ||
| Epidemiology | study of diseases and epidemics (see list of branches of science) | ||
| epilepsy | (noun) a disease causing fits of unconsciousness and sudden attacks of uncontrolled movements of the body. adj and n epileptic. | ||
| Epileptology | study of epilepsy (see list of branches of science) | ||
| epilog | (noun) also epilogue (Br) 1 a speech addressed to the audience at the end of a play (the epilogue in Hamlet). 2 a part or section added at the end of a book, program, etc. See also prolog. | ||
| Epiphany | (noun) the Christian festival which commemorates the revealing of Jesus Christ to the Magi or three wise men from the east. | ||
| episode | (noun) 1 a particular event or a series of events that is separate from but forms part of a larger whole (enjoy the episode in the novel where the hero meets an elephant/episodes in her youth that she wants to forget). 2 a part of a radio or television serial that is broadcast at one time (miss last week’s episode). | ||
| episodic | (adjective) consisting of events not clearly connected with each other. | ||
| Epistaxiophobia | fear of nosebleeds (see list of phobias) | ||
| Epistemology | study of grounds of knowledge (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Epistemophobia | fear of knowledge (see list of phobias) | ||
| epitaph | (noun) words referring to a dead person, inscribed on his or her tombstone. | ||
| epitome | (noun) 1 a person or thing that is a perfect example of a quality, type, etc (she is the epitome of kindness/he is the epitome of the perfect gentleman). 2 something that in a small way perfectly represents a larger or wider idea, issue, etc (the family’s hardship was the epitome of the poverty affecting the whole country). 3 (fml) a summary, an abstract (an epitome of the talks given at the conference). | ||
| epitomize | (verb) also epitomise (Br) 1 to be an epitome of (he epitomizes the computer nerd/the downturn epitomizes the country’s economic problems). 2 (fml) to summarize, to describe briefly (epitomizing the lecture in a few paragraphs). | ||
| epoch | (noun) 1 a period of time in history, life, etc, especially one in which important events occurred (an epoch characterized by wars). 2 the start of such a period. | ||
| equal | (adjective) 1 the same in size, number, value, etc (earn an equal amount of money). 2 able (to do something) (not equal to the task). n a person the same as another in rank or ability (her intellectual equal). vb (equalled, equalling) to be equal to (sales figures that equal last year’s). | ||
| equality | (noun) the state of being equal (fighting for equality of women in salary scales/seeking racial equality). | ||
| equalize | (verb) also equalise (Br) to make or become equal (the home team equalized). | ||
| equanimity | Collective noun for tranquilizers (An equanimity of tranquilizers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| equate | (verb) 1 to state that certain things are equal. 2 to think of as equal or the same (equating financial success with happiness). | ||
| equation | (noun) a statement that two things are equal (a mathematical equation). | ||
| equator | (noun) an imaginary line round the earth, halfway between the poles. | ||
| equatorial | (adjective) 1 having to do with the equator (an equatorial climate). 2 on or near the equator (the equatorial rain forest). | ||
| equi- | prefix equal. | ||
| equilateral | (adjective) having all sides equal (equilateral triangle). | ||
| equilibrium | (noun) 1 a balance between equal weights (scale in equilibrium). 2 steadiness (a disease of the ear affecting his equilibrium). 3 balanced state of the mind, emotions, etc (try to maintain his equilibrium in a difficult situation). | ||
| Equinophobia | fear of horses (see list of phobias) | ||
| equinox | (noun) either of the two times in the year at which the sun crosses the equator and day and night are equal. adj equinoctial. | ||
| equip | (verb) (equipped, equipping) to provide the things necessary for doing an activity, to fit out (equip a new operating theater/equip themselves with climbing gear). | ||
| equipment | (noun) outfit, the set of things needed for a particular activity (mountaineering equipment/video equipment). | ||
| equity | (noun) fairness, justice (try to establish equity in sentencing criminals). | ||
| equivalent | (adjective) 1 equal in value, amount, meaning, etc (a sum of money equivalent to $15,000). n an equivalent thing (the equivalent of 500 grams). | ||
| equivocation | Collective noun for politicians (An equivocation of politicians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| era | (noun) 1 a long period of time, starting from some important or particular event (the Cold War era). 2 a period of time marked by an important event or events (the era of the steam engine). | ||
| eradicate | (verb) to root out, to destroy completely (eradicating weeds from the garden try to eradicate violence). n eradication. | ||
| erase | (verb) to rub out, to remove (erasing pencil marks he accidentally erased an important file on his computer). n eraser. | ||
| ere | (adverb, conjuction, preposition) (old or lit) before (ere break of day). | ||
| erect | (adjective) standing up straight (soldiers standing erect). vb 1 to build (erect apartment blocks). 2 to set upright (erect a tent). n erection. | ||
| Eremology | study of deserts (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Eremophobia | fear of being alone or lonely (see list of phobias) | ||
| Ereuthophobia | fear of red lights or blushing or color red (see list of phobias) | ||
| Ereuthrophobia | fear of blushing (see list of phobias) | ||
| Ergasiophobia | fear of work or functioning or surgeon’s fear of operating on a patient (see list of phobias) | ||
| Ergology | study of effects of work on humans (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ergonomics | study of people at work (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ergophobia | fear of work (see list of phobias) | ||
| ermine | (noun) 1 a type of weasel. 2 its white winter fur (robes trimmed with ermine). | ||
| erode | (verb) to destroy or wear away gradually (rocks eroded by the sea i-ro-zhun/. | ||
| erotic | (adjective) having to do with love or sexual desire (erotic literature). | ||
| Erotophobia | fear of sexual love or sexual abuse (see list of phobias) | ||
| err | (verb) (fml) to make a mistake, to do wrong (admit that he erred in leaving his wife). | ||
| errand | (noun) 1 a short journey made to give a message, deliver goods, etc, to someone (send the child on an errand). 2 the purpose of such a journey (accomplish her errand). | ||
| errant | (adjective) 1 (old) wandering (knight errant). 2 (fml) doing wrong (errant husbands). | ||
| erratic | (adjective) not steady, irregular, uneven, unpredictable (an erratic sales pattern). | ||
| error | (noun) 1 a mistake (a spelling error). 2 the state of being mistaken (a letter sent to your address in error). | ||
| erudition | Collective noun for editors (An erudition of editors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| erupt | (verb) to break or burst out (volcanoes erupting/father erupting in anger). | ||
| eruption | (noun) act of breaking or bursting out (e.g. of a volcano). | ||
| Erythrophobia | fear of red lights or blushing or color red (see list of phobias) | ||
| Erytophobia | fear of red lights or blushing or color red (see list of phobias) | ||
| escalate | (verb) 1 to rise or increase (house prices escalating). 2 to increase in intensity (a war escalating rapidly). | ||
| escalator | (noun) a moving staircase (take the escalator to the second floor). | ||
| escapade | (noun) a foolish or risky adventure (childhood escapades such as stealing apples from orchards/the romantic escapades of the heroine). | ||
| escape | (verb) 1 to get out of the way of, to avoid (escape punishment). 2 to free oneself from (escape from prison). 3 to leak (gas escaping). 4 to avoid being noticed, remembered, etc (a name that escapes me). n 1 act of escaping. 2 a leakage. | ||
| Escapology | study of freeing oneself from constraints (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Eschatology | study of death; final matters (see list of branches of science) | ||
| eschew | (verb) (fml) to keep away from, to avoid (try to eschew crowded places/aim to eschew trouble). | ||
| escort | (verb) to go with as a guard or partner to show the way, or as an honor (supply ships escorted by a warship escort his cousin to the ball). n 1 a guard, a bodyguard (ships acting as an escort to the royal yacht). 2 a partner, a companion (he was her escort to the ball). | ||
| Eskimo | (noun) one of the orginal inhabitants of Northern Canada, parts of Alaska, Greenland and parts of Siberia, or one of their descendants, many of whom, especially in North America and Greenland prefer to be called Inuit amd regard “Eskimo” as offensive. | ||
| esophagus | (noun) also oesophagus (Br) the tube that goes from your throat to your stomach. | ||
| especial | (adjective) (fml) more than ordinary, particular (an especial favorite of hers). | ||
| especially | (adverb) specially, particularly, markedly (especially pleased to see her today). | ||
| espionage | (noun) spying (involved in espionage during the war). | ||
| essay | (verb) (fml or old) to try (foolish to essay that task). n 1 (fml or old) an attempt (an unsuccessful essay at climbing the mountain). 2 a written composition (pupils asked to write an essay on holidays). | ||
| essence | (noun) 1 the nature or necessary part of anything (confidence could be said to be the essence of success). 2 a substance obtained from a plant, etc, in concentrated form (vanilla essence). | ||
| essential | (adjective) 1 necessary, very important, that cannot be done without (essential equipment for diving/it is essential to take warm clothing). 2 of the basic or inner nature of something, fundamental (the essential difference between the two methods). n something that cannot be done without (air conditioning is an essential). | ||
| establish | (verb) 1 to set up (establish a local branch of the society/take time to establish a new business). 2 to place or fix in a position, etc, usually permanently (establish herself as the local bridge expert). 3 to prove, to show to be true (establish an alibi). | ||
| establishment | (noun) 1 act of setting up (the establishment of a new business). 2 a group of people employed in an organization, the staff of a household (in charge of a large establishment). 3 a place of business, the premises of a business organization or large institution (an educational establishment). the Establishment the people holding important positions in a country, community, etc, and usually supporting traditional ways, etc. | ||
| estate | (noun) 1 all one’s property and money (on her death her estate is to be divided between her children). 2 area of land, especially in the country, with one owner (owns a large estate in Connecticut). 3 (old) political or social group or class (the nobility, the clergy, and the commons comprise the Three Estates). 4 (fml or old) condition (the holy estate of matrimony). See real estate. | ||
| esteem | (verb) to think highly of (the artist’s work is highly esteemed). n respect, regard (hold him in high esteem as a teacher). | ||
| estimate | (verb) 1 to judge size, amount, etc, roughly, to guess (estimating the distance at ten kilometers). 2 to calculate the probable cost of (estimate the repairs to the house at $2000). n 1 an opinion. 2 a judgment as to the value or cost of a thing. | ||
| estimation | (noun) 1 judgment (give his estimation as to the value of the vase). 2 opinion (of someone) (she was not a good artist in his estimation/go down in their estimation). | ||
| estuary | (noun) the mouth of a river as far as the tide flows up it. | ||
| etc | (abbreviation) for et cetera, and all the rest (clear up all the plates, etc). | ||
| etch | (verb) to cut a picture on a metal plate by use of acids in order to print copies of it. | ||
| etching | (noun) a picture printed by etching (etchings of the harbor hanging on the wall). | ||
| eternal | (adjective) 1 everlasting, without beginning or end (believe in eternal life). 2 seeming never to stop (tired of their eternal arguments). | ||
| eternity | (noun) 1 everlasting existence, with no beginning and no end; unending life after death. 2 (inf) a very long time (wait an eternity for a bus). | ||
| ether | (noun) 1 the clear upper air. 2 formerly, an invisible substance supposed to fill all space and to pass on electric waves. 3 a colorless liquid, often formerly used as an anesthetic. | ||
| ethical | (adjective) 1 having to do with right and wrong (the doctor’s behavior was not considered ethical). 2 relating to ethics (ethical problems). | ||
| ethics | (noun) 1 the study of right and wrong. 2 rules or principles of behavior (the ethics of protecting a member of the family from the police). | ||
| ethnic | (adjective) having to do with human races or their customs, food, dress, etc (ethnic restaurants). | ||
| Ethnobiology | study of dynamic relationships between peoples (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ethnobotany | study of a region's plants and their practical uses through the traditional knowledge of a local culture and people (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ethnochoreology | study of dances and its implication in culture (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ethnogeny | study of origins of races or ethnic groups (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ethnology | study of cultures (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ethnomethodology | study of everyday communication and social interaction (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ethnomusicology | study of comparative musical systems (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ethology | study of natural or biological character (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ethonomics | study of economic and ethical principles of a society (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Etiology | study of causes, especially of disease (see list of branches of science) | ||
| etiquette | (noun) the rules of polite behavior, good manners (a book on wedding etiquette). | ||
| etymology | (noun) 1 the study of the history of words. 2 an explanation of the history of a particular word (dictionaries giving etymologies). adj etymological. n etymologist. | ||
| Etymology | study of origins of words (see list of branches of science) | ||
| EU | (abbreviation) for European Union, a group of 27 European countries which have joined together for economic and political purposes. | ||
| eucalyptus | (noun) 1 an Australian gum tree. 2 the oil from its leaves, used in the treatment of colds. | ||
| euphemism | (noun) the use of mild words or phrases to say something unpleasant (e.g. fairy tale for lie). adj euphemistic. | ||
| Euphobia | fear of hearing good news (see list of phobias) | ||
| euro | (noun) the common unit of currency in the following EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. | ||
| European Union | EU. | ||
| Eurotophobia | fear of female genitalia (see list of phobias) | ||
| Euthenics | study of improving living conditions (see list of branches of science) | ||
| evacuate | (verb) 1 to go away from (a place) (evacuating the area as the enemy army approached). 2 (fml) to make empty (evacuate the bowels). 3 to send to a place of safety in wartime (children evacuated from areas likely to be bombed in World War II). n evacuation. | ||
| evade | (verb) 1 to keep oneself away from (evading the police). 2 to dodge, to find a way of not doing something, especially by using trickery, deception, etc (evaded military service by pretending to suffer from asthma). 3 to refuse to answer directly (evade the question). n evasion. | ||
| evaluate | (verb) to work out the value of (difficult to evaluate his success as a writer on such little evidence). n evaluation. | ||
| evangelic, evangelical | (adjective) 1 having to do with the Christian Gospels. 2 accepting the Bible as the only guide to faith. | ||
| evangelist | (noun) 1 one of the four Gospel writers. 2 a preacher of the Gospel. | ||
| evaporate | (verb) 1 to turn into vapor and disappear (the water in the puddles soon evaporated). 2 to disappear (all hope gradually evaporating). n evaporation. | ||
| evasion | see evade. | ||
| evasive | (adjective) 1 having the purpose of evading (take evasive action). 2 not straightforward, not frank (give evasive answers). | ||
| eve | (noun) 1 (old) evening. 2 the day before (Christmas Eve). 3 the time before an important event (on the eve of the battle). | ||
| even | (adjective) 1 level (an even temperature). 2 smooth (even ground). 3 equal (scores now even). 4 divisible by 2 (even numbers). 5 calm (of even temper). adv just (even as we speak). (intensifier) used to suggest that the context of a statement is unexpected (even you can do that). vb 1 to make smooth or level (even the ground). 2 to make equal (even the score). n evenness. | ||
| evening | (noun) the close of day. | ||
| event | (noun) 1 anything that happens, an incident (the events leading up to the war). 2 a single race or contest at sports or races (athletic events). | ||
| eventful | (adjective) full of interesting or exciting happenings (an eventful life/an eventful day). | ||
| eventual | (adjective) happening as a result, final (his criminal behavior and eventual imprisonment). | ||
| eventuality | (noun) a possible happening (try to allow for any eventuality in planning the celebration). | ||
| eventually | (adverb) finally, at length (after many attempts, he eventually passed the exam). | ||
| ever | (adverb) always, at all times. | ||
| evergreen | (noun) a tree or plant that has green leaves all the year round. adj always green (evergreen trees). | ||
| everlasting | (adjective) 1 never ending (everlasting life). 1 seemingly without end, frequent (their everlasting complaints). | ||
| evermore | (adverb) for ever (promise to love her for evermore). | ||
| every | (adjective) each one (every child was present). | ||
| everybody | (pronoun) every person (everybody should take regular exercise). | ||
| everyday | (adjective) 1 happening every day (everyday duties). 2 usual, ordinary (everyday clothes). | ||
| everyone | (pronoun) every person (everyone suddenly burst out singing). | ||
| everything | (pronoun) all things being considered as a group (everything in this room is filthy). | ||
| evict | (verb) to put out of a house or off land by order of a court (evict tenants for not paying rent). n eviction. | ||
| evidence | (noun) 1 information given to show a fact is true (produce evidence of his innocence). 2 the statement made by a witness in a court of law (give evidence at the murder trial). | ||
| evident | (adjective) clear, easily understood, obvious (it was evident that she was ill/her evident unhappiness). | ||
| evil | (adjective) 1 wicked, bad, sinful (an evil man/evil deeds). 2 unpleasant, nasty (an evil smell). n 1 wickedness (feel surrounded by evil in that house). 2 anything bad or harmful (the evils of the world). | ||
| evoke | (verb) 1 to call up (evoking memories of childhood). 2 to give rise to, to cause (her tears evoked sympathy from the crowd). n evocation. | ||
| evolution | (noun) 1 the belief that life began in lower forms of creature and that these gradually changed over millions of years into the highest forms, such as humans (Darwin’s theory of evolution). 2 development (the evolution of a modern political system). | ||
| evolve | (verb) 1 to work out (evolving an efficient filing system in the office). 2 to develop gradually (a system of efficient government evolved). | ||
| ewe | (noun) a female sheep (ewes and rams). | ||
| exact | (adjective) 1 absolutely correct, accurate in every detail (the exact measurements/an exact copy of the antique vase). 2 showing or taking great care (require to be very exact in that kind of work). vb 1 to force to make payment. 2 to demand and obtain. | ||
| exacting | (adjective) needing a lot of work or attention (an exacting job). | ||
| exaggerate | (verb) 1 to speak or think of something as being better or more (or worse or less) than it really is (exaggerating her unhappiness to gain people’s sympathy). 2 to go beyond the truth in describing something (you can’t believe what she says—she always exaggerates). n exaggeration. | ||
| exalt | (verb) 1 (fml) to raise in power or rank (he has been exalted to general). 2 to praise highly (exalt God). n exaltation. | ||
| exaltation | Collective noun for larks (An exaltation of larks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| examine | (verb) 1 to look at closely and carefully in order to find out something (the doctor examined the child ig-za-mi-nay-shun ig-za-mi-ner/. | ||
| examinee | (noun) a person who is being examined. | ||
| example | (noun) 1 one thing chosen to show what others of the same kind are like, a model (an example of the artist’s work/an example of his bad behavior). 2 a person or thing deserving to be imitated (the saint’s patience was an example to us all). | ||
| example | Collective noun for masters (An example of masters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| exasperate | (verb) to make angry (exasperating their mother with their endless questions). n exasperation. | ||
| excavate | (verb) 1 to uncover by digging (excavating Roman remains). 2 to dig up, to hollow out (excavate a building site). n excavator. | ||
| excavation | (noun) 1 act of excavating. 2 a hole or trench made by digging. | ||
| exceed | (verb) 1 to go beyond (exceed the speed limit). 2 to be greater or more numerous than (a price not exceeding $7000). | ||
| exceedingly | (adverb) very, extremely (exceedingly difficult tasks). | ||
| excel | (verb) (excelled, excelling) to do very well at, to get exceptionally good at (excel at tennis/excel at playing the piano). | ||
| excellence | (noun) perfection, great merit (recognize her excellence as a musician/the excellence of his work). | ||
| excellent | (adjective) very good, of a very high standard (excellent work/an excellent performance). | ||
| except1 | (verb) (fml) to leave out (only children are excepted from the admission charge). | ||
| except2, excepting | (preposition) leaving out (everyone except my brother). | ||
| exception | (noun) a person or thing that does not follow the rule (everyone will pay an admission fee with the exception of children). take exception to object (took exception to his remarks). | ||
| exceptional | (adjective) different from others, unusual, remarkable (show exceptional understanding/have an exceptional musical talent). adv exceptionally. | ||
| excerpt | (noun) a short passage taken out of a longer piece of writing or music. | ||
| excess | (noun) 1 too much (an excess of alcohol). 2 the amount by which a thing is too much (the check was wrong and we paid an excess of $10). 3 bad and uncontrolled behavior (his drunken excesses). | ||
| excessive | (adjective) more than is right or correct (an excessive amount of salt in the soup find the price excessive). | ||
| excessively | (adverb) to excess; very. | ||
| exchange | (verb) to give one thing and receive another in its place (exchanging his dollars for euros). n 1 the act of exchanging (an exchange of views/give food in exchange for gardening work). 2 a place where merchants meet to do business. 3 the changing of the money of one country into that of another. 4 a telephone center where lines are connected to each other. | ||
| excise1 | (noun) a tax on certain goods made within the country. | ||
| excise2 | (verb) to cut out, to cut away (surgeons excising the diseased tissue). n excision. | ||
| excitable | (adjective) easily excited. | ||
| excite | (verb) 1 to stir up feelings of happiness, expectation, etc (children excited by thoughts of Christmas). 2 to rouse (exciting feelings of envy in her friends). n excitement. adj exciting. | ||
| exclaim | (verb) to cry out suddenly (“What’s this?” she exclaimed in surprise). adj exclamatory. | ||
| exclamation | (noun) a word or words said suddenly or with feeling (utter an exclamation of amazement). | ||
| exclamation mark | (noun) a mark of punctuation (!). | ||
| exclude | (verb) 1 to shut out (exclude air from the bottle). 2 to leave out (excluding her from membership of the club). 3 to leave out; not to include (the price excludes drinks). n exclusion. | ||
| exclusive | (adjective) 1 open to certain people only (an exclusive club). 2 sole (your exclusive role). 3 not shared (exclusive rights). adv exclusively. | ||
| excrement | (noun) waste matter put out from the body (stepped in dog’s excrement). | ||
| excrete | (verb) to put out what is useless from the body (excreting abnormal quantities of urine). adj excretory. | ||
| excruciating | (adjective) 1 very great, intense (an excruciating pain in his back). 2 terrible, very bad (an excruciating performance on the violin). | ||
| excursion | (noun) a trip made for pleasure, an outing (a bus excursion to the beach). | ||
| excuse | (verb) 1 to let off (excused from playing baseball because of illness). 2 to forgive, to overlook (excuse her late arrival ek-scyooz ek-scyoo-za-bl/. | ||
| execute | (verb) 1 to perform (executing a dance step). 2 to carry out (execute orders). 3 to put to death by law (execute murderers). | ||
| execution | (noun) 1 the carrying out, performance, etc, of something (execution of orders/execution of difficult dance steps). 2 skill in performing music. 3 the act of putting to death by order of the law. | ||
| executioner | (noun) an officer who puts to death condemned criminals. | ||
| executive | (adjective) 1 concerned with making and carrying out decisions, especially in business (an executive director/executive powers). 2 having the power to carry out government’s decisions and laws. n 1 a person involved in the management of a firm. 2 the part of government that puts laws, etc, into effect. | ||
| executor | (noun) a person who sees that a dead person’s written will is carried out (appoint two executors). | ||
| exemplify | (verb) 1 to be an example (this machine exemplifies the firm’s high standard of work). 2 to illustrate by example (exemplify the problems). | ||
| exempt | (verb) to free from, to let off (exempt certain goods from tax ig-zem-shun/. | ||
| exercise | (noun) 1 an action performed to strengthen the body or part of the body. 2 a piece of work done for practice. 3 training (military exercises). 4 use (the exercise of patience). vb 1 to use, to employ (exercising patience). 2 to perform some kind of physical exercises. 3 to give exercise to, to train (exercise the horses). | ||
| exercise | Collective noun for physiotherapists (An exercise of physiotherapists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| exert | (verb) to apply (exert influence to get his son a job/have to exert force). exert oneself to try hard. | ||
| exertion | (noun) effort (tired after the exertion of climbing the hill). | ||
| exhale | (verb) to breathe out. n exhalation. | ||
| exhaust | (verb) 1 to use up completely (exhaust our food supplies). 2 to tire out (the journey exhausted her). 3 to say everything possible about (exhaust the subject). n 1 a passage by which used steam or gases are carried away from an engine (a car’s exhaust). 2 these gases. | ||
| exhausting | (adjective) very tiring (an exhausting journey/an exhausting day). | ||
| exhaustion | (noun) 1 the state of being tired out. 2 lack of any strength. | ||
| exhaustive | (adjective) 1 very thorough, complete (an exhaustive search). 2 dealing with every possible aspect of a subject. | ||
| exhibit | (verb) 1 to show in public (exhibit Picasso’s early works/exhibit roses at the flower show). 2 (fml) to display, to show (exhibiting no sign of emotion). n a thing shown in public. | ||
| exhibition | (noun) 1 act of exhibiting. 2 a collection of many things brought together to be shown to the public (an art exhibition). | ||
| exhibitionist | (noun) a person who behaves in such a way as to draw attention to himself or herself. | ||
| exhibitor | (noun) a person who exhibits at a show (exhibitors in the art gallery). | ||
| exhilarate | (verb) to make lively or happy (a swim in cold water exhilarating him). n exhilaration. | ||
| exile | (noun) 1 long or unwilling absence from one’s home or country (an ex-general forced to live in exile). 2 a person living in a country other than his or her own (exiles talking about the old country). vb to send someone out of his or her own country as a punishment (they were exiled for taking part in a conspiracy against the government). | ||
| exist | (verb) 1 to be. 2 to live. n existence. adj existent. | ||
| exit | (noun) 1 a way out (several exits in the hall). 2 a going out (an exit by the crowd). vb to go out. | ||
| Exobiology | study of extraterrestrial life (see list of branches of science) | ||
| exodus | (noun) a going out or away by many people (e.g. the departure of the Jews from Egypt) (an exodus of people to the beach in the summer). | ||
| Exoplanetology | study of exoplanets (see list of branches of science) | ||
| exorcism | (noun) act of exorcising. n exorcist. | ||
| exorcize | (verb) also exorcise (Br) to drive out evil spirits (exorcising the haunted house). | ||
| exotic | (adjective) 1 foreign, introduced from another country (exotic fruits). 2 striking and unusual (exotic clothes). | ||
| expand | (verb) 1 to make or become larger (metals expand when heated). 2 to spread out (his face expanded in a smile/his waistline has expanded). 3 to become more friendly or talkative (guests beginning to expand after a few drinks). | ||
| expanse | (noun) a wide area (an expanse of green). | ||
| expansion | (noun) act of expanding. | ||
| expansive | (adjective) 1 wide (an expansive gesture with his arms). 2 ready to talk freely (become expansive when drunk). | ||
| expatriate | (verb) to send someone out of his own country. n a person living or working in a country other than his or her own (expatriates living abroad). | ||
| expect | (verb) 1 to wait for (expect a letter from her daughter). 2 to think it likely that something will happen (she expects to arrive today). 3 to require as a right or duty (teachers expecting obedience from the pupils). | ||
| expectancy | (noun) state of being expectant. | ||
| expectant | (adjective) hopeful, waiting for something to happen (children with expectant faces on Christmas morning). expectant mother a woman who is pregnant. | ||
| expectation | (noun) 1 hope that something will happen (enter the competition full of expectation). 2 that which is expected (have high expectations on entering the competition). | ||
| expectation | Collective noun for heirs (An expectation of heirs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| expectation | Collective noun for midwives (An expectation of midwives) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| expedience, expediency | (noun) doing things not because they are right or moral but because they are likely to be successful or to one’s advantage (the government were not interested in people’s feelings—it was a question of expedience). | ||
| expedition | (noun) 1 a journey made for a particular purpose (on a shopping expedition). 2 (fml) speed (carry out the tasks with expedition). | ||
| expel | (verb) (expelled, expelling) 1 to drive out (air expelled from the lungs). 2 to force to go away (foreign journalists expelled from the war zone). 3 to dismiss officially from a school, club, etc (expel pupils for drug-taking). n expulsion. | ||
| expend | (verb) to spend, to use up (expend all his energy). | ||
| expenditure | (noun) 1 the amount spent (try to reduce your annual expenditure). 2 the act of spending (the expenditure of money). | ||
| expense | (noun) 1 cost (purchase the car at his own expense). 2 spending of money, etc. | ||
| expensive | (adjective) dear, costing a lot (expensive clothes/an expensive house). | ||
| experience | (noun) 1 a happening in one’s own life. 2 knowledge gained from one’s own life or work. vb 1 to meet with. 2 to feel. 3 to undergo. | ||
| experiment | (noun) something done so that the results may be studied, a test (scientific experiments). vb to do an experiment (object to scientists experimenting on animals). adj experimental. | ||
| expert | (adjective) very skillful (an expert tennis player). n expert a person having special skill or knowledge (an expert in antiques). n expertise. | ||
| expiration | (noun) (fml) 1 act of breathing out. 2 end (the expiration of the contract). | ||
| expire | (verb) 1 (fml) to die (soldiers expiring on the battlefield). 2 (fml) to breathe out. 3 to come to an end (a bus pass that has expired). | ||
| expiry | (noun) end (expiry of the lease on the apartment). | ||
| explain | (verb) 1 to make clear (explain the instructions). 2 to give reasons for (explain his absence). | ||
| explanation | (noun) a statement of the meaning of or the reasons for. | ||
| explanatory | (adjective) helping to make clear (explanatory notes). | ||
| expletive | (noun) 1 a swear word. adj serving to fill out. | ||
| explicable | (adjective) able to be explained (behavior that seems scarcely explicable). | ||
| explicit | (adjective) 1 stating exactly what is meant (explicit instructions). 2 with full details, with nothing hidden (explicit sex scenes). | ||
| explode | (verb) 1 to burst or blow up with a loud noise (a bomb exploding/a gas boiler exploding). 2 to show to be untrue, to destroy (explode a myth). | ||
| exploit | (noun) 1 a brave or outstanding deed (a film about the exploits of pilots during World War II). vb to make use of, especially for selfish reasons (rich employers exploiting illegal immigrants by paying low wages). n exploitation. | ||
| explore | (verb) 1 to examine closely (explore all possibilities). 2 to travel through a country to find out all about it. n exploration. n explorer. | ||
| explosion | (noun) 1 going off or bursting with a loud noise. 2 an outburst (an explosion of anger). | ||
| explosion | Collective noun for Italians (An explosion of Italians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| explosive | (adjective) able to cause an explosion. n any substance that will explode (the police found explosives in a barn). | ||
| exponent | (noun) 1 a person who explains and supports a theory, belief, etc (an exponent of Marxism). 2 a person who is good at (an exponent of mime). | ||
| export | (verb) to send goods to another country. n export an article that is exported. n exportation. | ||
| expose | (verb) 1 to uncover (dig and expose the roots of the tree expose her legs to the sun). 2 to make known the truth about (newspapers exposing scandals about politicians). 3 to allow light to fall on (a photographic film). | ||
| exposition | (noun) 1 (fml) a collection of things brought together to be shown to the public (an exposition of modern art). 2 a full explanation (an exposition of the company’s sales policy). | ||
| exposure | (noun) 1 act of exposing (exposure to the sun/the newspaper’s exposure of fraud). 2 the effect on the body of being out in cold weather for a long time (climbers dying of exposure). | ||
| expound | (verb) (fml) to explain fully (expound his theory). | ||
| express | (verb) 1 to put into words, to state (expresses his ideas). 2 to make known by words or actions (express her anger by stamping her feet). adj 1 swift (by express post). 2 clearly stated (express instructions). n a fast train. | ||
| expression | (noun) 1 a word or phrase (foreign expressions). 2 the look on one’s face (a surprised expression). 3 ability to read, play music, etc, with meaning or feeling. | ||
| expressive | (adjective) with feeling or meaning (expressive eyes). | ||
| expressly | (adverb) 1 clearly (I expressly forbade you to do that). 2 specially, with a certain definite purpose. | ||
| expulsion | see expel. | ||
| expunge | (verb) to rub out, to wipe out (expunging some passages from the book/expunge the tragedy from your memory). | ||
| expurgate | (verb) to cut out of a book unsuitable or objectionable passages. n expurgation. | ||
| exquisite | (adjective) 1 beautiful and delicate, very fine (exquisite china exquisite beauty). 2 (fml) strongly felt, acute (exquisite pain). | ||
| extant | (adjective) still existing (customs still extant). | ||
| extemporaneous | (adjective) (fml) unprepared (an extemporaneous speech). | ||
| extempore | (adverb) and adj without preparation (because he was given no warning, he had to speak extempore at the meeting). | ||
| extemporize | (verb) also extemporise (Br) 1 to speak without preparation. 2 to make up music as one is playing. | ||
| extend | (verb) 1 to stretch out (extend his arms). 2 to reach or stretch (a forest extending for miles). 3 to offer (extend an invitation). 4 to make longer or bigger (extend the garden). | ||
| extension | (noun) 1 an addition (build an extension to the house). 2 an additional period of time (get an extension to write his essay). | ||
| extensive | (adjective) 1 large (extensive grounds). 2 wide, wide-ranging (extensive interests). | ||
| extent | (noun) 1 the area or length to which something extends (the extent of his estate). 2 amount, degree (the extent of the damage). | ||
| extenuate | (verb) (fml) to make excuses for in order to make seem less bad (nothing could extenuate such behavior). n extenuation. | ||
| extenuating | (adjective) making a crime, etc, seem less serious by showing there is some excuse for it (extenuating circumstances). | ||
| exterior | (adjective) outer (exterior walls). n the outside. | ||
| exterminate | (verb) to kill to the last one, to destroy completely (exterminating rats on the farm). n extermination. | ||
| external | (adjective) on the outside (external walls). | ||
| extinct | (adjective) 1 no longer found in existence (an extinct species). 2 no longer burning (extinct volcanoes). | ||
| extinction | (noun) 1 act of destroying. 2 the state of being no longer living (species threatened with extinction). 3 the putting out of (the extinction of lights/the extinction of fires). | ||
| extinction | Collective noun for dodos (An extinction of dodos) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| extinguish | (verb) 1 to put out (extinguish the fire). 2 to put an end to (extinguish all hope). | ||
| extirpate | (verb) (fml) to destroy completely, to root out (a tyrant extirpating all opposition to him ek-stir-pay-shun/. | ||
| extol, extoll | (verb) (extolled, extolling) (fml) to praise highly (extol the merits of the new product/extol her daughter’s virtues). | ||
| extort | (verb) to take from by force or threats (bullies extorting money from younger boys). n extortion. | ||
| extortionate | (adjective) 1 far too expensive (extortionate prices). 2 asking too much (extortionate demands). | ||
| extra | (adjective) additional, more than is usual, expected or necessary (workers asking for extra money/require extra workers). adv more than usually. n something additional (school fees and extras such as dancing). | ||
| extract | (verb) 1 to draw, take or pull out (extract teeth ek-stract/ 1 a passage taken from a book (a book of extracts from Shakespeare’s plays). 2 a substance drawn from a material and containing all its qualities (yeast extract). | ||
| extraction | (noun) 1 act of drawing out (the extraction of teeth). 2 connection with a certain family or race (Spanish by extraction). | ||
| extradite | (verb) to hand over a foreign criminal to the police of his own country. n extradition. | ||
| extramural | (adjective) 1 organized for those who are not members (e.g. of a university) (extramural studies). 2 separate from or outside the area of one’s studies (extramural activities). | ||
| extraneous | (adjective) having nothing to do with the subject. | ||
| extraordinary | (adjective) 1 very unusual, remarkable (what extraordinary behavior). 2 (fml) additional to what is usual or ordinary (an extraordinary meeting of the committee). | ||
| extraterrestrial | (adjective) existing or happening beyond the earth’s atmosphere (the possibility of extraterrestrial life). | ||
| extravagance | (noun) 1 wasteful spending. 2 wastefulness. | ||
| extravagant | (adjective) 1 spending or using a great deal, wasteful (extravagant use of materials/live in an extravagant way). 2 spending foolishly (an extravagant young woman). 3 foolish and improbable (extravagant schemes). | ||
| extreme | (adjective) 1 farthest away (the extreme ends of the continent extreme members of the party). 4 intense, strong, not ordinary or usual (calling for extreme measures of punishment). n 1 the end, the farthest point (the extremes of the earth). 2 something as far or as different as possible from something else (the extremes of wealth and poverty). 3 the greatest or highest degree (the extremes of heat in the desert). adv extremely. | ||
| extremist | (noun) a person who holds extreme ideas (a political extremist). Also adj. | ||
| extremity | (noun) 1 the farthest point (the extremities of the earth). 2 (fml) a situation of great misfortune, distress or danger (in an extremity of poverty). 3 (fml) the farther parts of the body, i.e. the hands and feet (poor circulation in her extremities). | ||
| extricate | (verb) to set free from a difficult position (extricating the dog from the hole in which he was stuck/extricate the firm from its financial difficulties). | ||
| extrovert | (noun) a person who is extremely outgoing and self-assured. Also adj. | ||
| exuberant | (adjective) 1 vigorous, strong (exuberant growth of plants). 2 in high spirits (in exuberant mood). n exuberance. | ||
| exude | (verb) to ooze out, to give off (exuding perspiration/exude confidence). | ||
| exult | (verb) to rejoice very much, to express joy (exulting over their victory). adj exultant. n exultation. | ||
| exultation | Collective noun for fireworks (An exultation of fireworks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| eye | (noun) 1 the organ by means of which we see. 2 a small hole in a needle. 3 the seed bud of a potato. vb to look at, to watch closely (eying his friend’s cake with envy/eyed the policeman warily). | ||
| eyebrow | (noun) an arc of hair on the brow bone above the eye. | ||
| eyelash | (noun) each of the short hairs extending from the edge of the eyelid. | ||
| eyelid | (noun) the fold of skin that can be lowered to close the eye. | ||
| eye-opener | (noun) something very surprising. | ||
| eyesight | (noun) a person’s ability to see (her eyesight is very poor. | ||
| eyesore | (noun) something very ugly (apartment blocks that are an eyesore on the landscape). | ||
| eyesore | Collective noun for graffiti (An eyesore of graffiti) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| eyewitness | (noun) a person who sees an event happen (eyewitnesses of the accident). | ||
F
| F, f | (noun) 1 the sixth letter of the alphabet. 2 (mus) the fourth note of the scale of C major. | ||
| fable | (noun) a short story, usually about animals who talk and behave like humans, meant to teach people to do what is right (Aesop’s fable about the fox and the grapes). | ||
| fabric | (noun) 1 the framework of a building (the fabric of the building is crumbling). 2 manufactured cloth (a woolen fabric). | ||
| fabricate | (verb) 1 to make or build, to manufacture. 2 to make up or invent (fabricating an excuse). n fabrication . | ||
| fabulous | (adjective) 1 (fml) existing only in fable or legend (the dragon is a fabulous animal). 2 (inf) wonderful, marvelous, very good (a fabulous dress/a fabulous performance). | ||
| facade | (noun) 1 the front of a building. 2 outer appearance (frightened in spite of a brave facade). | ||
| face | (noun) 1 the front part of the head, from forehead to chin (a beautiful face). 2 the front part of anything (break the face of his watch). vb 1 to stand looking toward, to turn toward (a house facing south). 2 to meet or encounter boldly (face the enemy/face his problems). 3 to cover with a surface of different material (face the wall with plaster). | ||
| facet | (noun) 1 one of many small sides, as of a diamond. 2 an aspect (a humorous facet to the situation). | ||
| facial | (adjective) having to do with the face (facial hair). n a treatment to improve the appearance of the skin on the face. | ||
| facile | (adjective) 1 done with ease, often done too easily (a facile victory). 2 without depth, not sincere (a facile remark). | ||
| facilitate | (verb) to make easy (facilitating the bill’s progress through Congress). n facilitation . | ||
| facility | (noun) 1 (fml) ease, skill (perform the tasks with facility). 2 pl the means or conditions for doing something easily. | ||
| facsimile | (noun) 1 an exact copy (a facsimile of the legal document). 2 an image produced by facsimile transmission (also fax). facsimile transmission a system of sending written, printed, or pictorial documents over a telephone line by scanning it and then reproducing the image in a different location. | ||
| fact | (noun) 1 something known to be true or to have happened (geographical facts about the country). 2 truth (it is a fact that the earth is round). 3 a deed, an event (after the fact). | ||
| factor | (noun) 1 a cause, element (one of the factors in his lack of success). 2 a number that divides exactly into another number. 3 a person who does business for another, someone who manages another’s land (the estate’s factor). | ||
| factory | (noun) a building where large quantities of goods are made (a car factory). | ||
| factual | (adjective) having to do with facts (a factual, rather than fictional, account of the war). | ||
| faculty | (noun) 1 a special ability (a faculty for putting people at their ease). 2 the power to do something (the faculty of speech). 3 all the teachers of a school, college, or university or of a school’s departments (the science faculty). | ||
| faculty | Collective noun for academics (A faculty of academics) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fad | (noun) a craze, a short-lived fashion (bell-bottom jeans were a fad in the 1960s). | ||
| fade | (verb) 1 to wither. 2 to lose color. 3 to disappear gradually (hopes fading). | ||
| fagot | Collective noun for firewood (A fagot of firewood) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fagot | Collective noun for sticks (A fagot of sticks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Fahrenheit | (adjective) of a scale of temperature in which the freezing point of water is 32º and the boiling point is 212º, named for a German physicist. | ||
| fail | (verb) 1 not to succeed (fail his driving test/fail in his attempt at the record). 2 to break down (a car engine that failed). 3 to disappoint (feel that she failed her mother). 4 to owe so much money that debts cannot be paid (a company that is bound to fail). | ||
| failing | (noun) a fault, a weakness (laziness is his major failing). | ||
| failure | (noun) 1 lack of success (disappointed at their failure in the tournament). 2 a person who has not succeeded (he regards himself as a failure). 3 a breakdown (engine failure). | ||
| fain | (adjective) (old or lit) glad. adv gladly. | ||
| faint | (verb) to become weak, to fall down unconscious (faint from lack of food). n act of falling down unconscious. adj 1 weak, dizzy. 2 lacking clearness or brightness (writing grown faint over the years). 3 slight (chances of winning are now faint). | ||
| fair1 | (adjective) 1 light in color, having light-colored hair or skin (one daughter is fair and the other dark). 3 quite good (a fair piece of work). 3 just (a fair sentence given by the judge). 4 (of weather) not rainy (hope the weather will be fair for the picnic). 5 (old or lit) attractive (a fair young maiden). | ||
| fair2 | (noun) 1 a market or sale, often with shows and amusements. 2 a trade exhibition (a book fair). | ||
| fairly | (adverb) somewhat (fairly sure that he is at work this morning/do fairly well). | ||
| fairway | (noun) 1 the deep part of a river where ships usually sail. 2 the part of a golf course where the grass is cut short. | ||
| fairy | (noun) an imaginary small being, supposed to have magic powers. | ||
| fairy tale | (noun) a story about fairies, giants, magic deeds, etc. | ||
| faith | (noun) 1 belief, especially in God. 2 trust, being sure of something (have faith in her ability). 3 religion (Christianity and other faiths). 4 a person’s word of honor, loyalty (keep faith with his friends). | ||
| faith | Collective noun for merchants (A faith of merchants) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| faithful | (adjective) 1 true to one’s friends or one’s promises (the king’s faithful followers). 2 loyal to one’s marriage vows (a faithful wife). 3 true to the facts or an original (a faithful account of the situation/a faithful copy). | ||
| faithless | (adjective) (fml) 1 disloyal, dishonest (faithless friends). 2 unreliable. | ||
| fajita | (noun) grilled chicken or beef wrapped in a soft tortilla with vegetables and sauce. | ||
| fake | (noun) someone or something that deceives by looking other than he, she, or it is (that painting is not an original Picasso—it’s a fake). vb 1 to change something so that it falsely appears better, more valuable, etc (faking the test results). 2 to copy something so as to deceive (faked the man’s signature). 3 (inf) to pretend (fake illness to stay home from school). | ||
| falafel | (noun) a small patty of ground chickpeas, other vegetables, and spices that is deep-fried. | ||
| falcon | (noun) a bird of prey trained to hunt smaller birds. | ||
| falconry | (noun) 1 the art of training falcons to hunt game. 2 the sport of hunting with falcons. | ||
| fall | (verb) (pt fell , pp fallen ) 1 to drop down (trip over a stone and fall). 2 to become less or lower (prices falling). 3 to hang down (hair falling to her waist). 4 to happen or occur (the holiday falls on a Sunday). 5 to enter into a certain state or condition (fall asleep/fall silent). 6 to be taken by an enemy (Rome fell to the enemy). 7 to be killed in battle (soldiers who fell in the war). n 1 a drop or descent (injured in a fall from the cliff). 2 a lessening or lowering (a fall in the birth rate). 3 loss of power (the government’s fall). 4 a waterfall. 5 autumn. fall back to go back. fall on or upon to attack. fall out (inf) to quarrel. fall through to fail (plans falling through). | ||
| fall | Collective noun for lambs (A fall of lambs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fall | Collective noun for woodcocks (A fall of woodcocks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fallacy | (noun) a wrong idea or belief, usually one that is generally believed to be true; false reasoning (it is a fallacy that more expensive things are always of better quality). adj fallacious . | ||
| fallible | (adjective) (fml) able to make mistakes (all humans are fallible). n fallibility . | ||
| falling | Collective noun for dominoes (A falling of dominoes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fallout | (noun) 1 particles of radioactive dust that are in the air and fall to the ground after a atomic explosion. 2 (inf) side effects. vb to quarrel, disagree. | ||
| fallow | (adjective) ploughed but left unplanted for a season or more to kill weeds, make soil richer, etc (fields lying fallow). Also n. | ||
| false 1 | (adjective) 1 not true (a false account of what happened). 2 disloyal (false friends). 3 not real, fake (a false beard). n falseness , falsity . | ||
| falsehood | (noun) (fml) a lie (tell falsehoods). | ||
| falter | (verb) 1 to speak or say in an uncertain or hesitant way (“I didn’t know what to say,” she faltered/falter out a few words of apology). 2 to stumble (he faltered as he went down the slippery steps). | ||
| fame | (noun) the state of being well known (prefers personal happiness to fame). | ||
| famed | (adjective) (fml) well known (famed for her cooking). | ||
| familiar | (adjective) 1 well known because often seen (a familiar figure in the town). 2 having good knowledge of (familiar with the layout of the town). 3 too friendly, disrespectful (object to his talking to her in such a familiar way). n 1 a close friend. 2 in folklore, an evil spirit constantly with someone and usually dwelling within an animal. n familiarity . | ||
| familiarize | (verb), also familiarise (Br) to make used to (familiarizing himself with the rules of the game). | ||
| family | (noun) 1 a household, parents and children. 2 one’s children (a couple with no family). 3 people descended from the same ancestors. 4 a group of things in some way related to each other (e.g. races, animals, etc). | ||
| family | Collective noun for sardines (A family of sardines) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| family tree | (noun) a chart that shows the members of a family, their ancestors, and their relationship to each other. | ||
| famine | (noun) a shortage of food (people starving during the famine). | ||
| famish | (verb) to be famished (inf) to be very hungry. | ||
| famous | (adjective) well known to all (famous actora famous painting). | ||
| fan belt | (noun) a tough, thin belt on most car engines. | ||
| fan1 | (noun) an instrument or machine that causes a current of air (use an electric fan in hot weather). vb (fanned , fanning ) to move the air with a fan. fan out to spread out over a wider front (police fanning out over the fields to look for evidence). | ||
| fan2 | (noun) a follower or supporter (football fans). | ||
| fanatic | (noun) someone who holds a belief, especially a religious or political belief, so strongly that he or she can neither discuss it reasonably nor think well of those who disagree with it (a health food fanatic). n fanaticism . | ||
| fanatical | (adjective) having the views of a fanatic (fanatical about cleanliness). | ||
| fanciful | (adjective) 1 imaginative, inclined to have strange, unreal ideas (a fanciful child). 2 imaginary, unreal (fanciful ideas). | ||
| fancy | (noun) 1 (fml) the imagination (poets relying on fancy). 2 a false idea or belief, something imagined (just an old person’s fancy). 3 a sudden desire (a pregnant woman with a fancy for oranges). 4 a liking for, often a romantic one (a fancy for the girl next door). adj not plain, ornamented. vb 1 (fml) to imagine (he fancied that he saw a ghost). 2 (inf) to like (fancying a drink). 3 to be romantically or sexually attracted to (Robert fancies Susan). | ||
| fanfare | (noun) the sounding of many trumpets in greeting (a fanfare introducing the queen). | ||
| fang | (noun) 1 a long, pointed tooth (the fangs of the wolf). 2 the tooth of a snake that is used to inject venom, or poison, into its prey. | ||
| fantail | (noun) 1 a part, tail, or end that is spread out like a fan. 2 any of several kinds of birds with a very broad tail. | ||
| fantasia | (noun) a light or fanciful piece of music. | ||
| fantastic | (adjective) 1 strange or weird (amazed by her fantastic design). 2 created in the mind, fanciful, unrealistic (fantastic hopes of wealth). 3 (inf) very large (a fantastic sum of money). 4 (inf) very good, excellent (a fantastic performance). | ||
| fantasy | (noun) 1 an unusual or far-fetched idea, a dream (have fantasies about lying on a sun-drenched beach). 2 a story with highly imaginative characters or settings that are not part of the real world (he read a fantasy that had unicorns and dragons in it). | ||
| far | (adjective) distant (far places). adv at a distance in time, space, or degree (to travel far). | ||
| faraway | (adjective) 1 distant in time, space, or degree. 2 dreamy, distracted (a faraway look). | ||
| farce | (noun) 1 a stage play intended only to arouse laughter. 2 a laughable or senseless, unreasonable situation (the trial was a farce—they had already decided he was guilty). | ||
| farcical | (adjective) laughable, senseless, unreasonable. | ||
| fare | (verb) (fml or old) to be or do (ill or well) (he fared well on his travels). n 1 food. 2 the cost of a travel ticket (unable to afford the train fare). 3 a passenger on a bus or in a taxi (taxi drivers picking up fares). | ||
| farewell | (interjective) goodbye. | ||
| farfel | (noun) noodle dough formed into small grains. | ||
| far-fetched | (adjective) so unlikely as to be almost impossible (far-fetched stories of his adventures). | ||
| farina | (noun) a hot cereal made from wheat, potatoes, nuts, etc. | ||
| farm | (noun) an area of land prepared for crops andfor-mer/. farm out to give out to be done by others (farm out work). | ||
| farmstead | (noun) the buildings on a farm. | ||
| farrow | (noun) a litter of baby pigs. | ||
| farseeing | (adjective) wise, having shown good judgment. | ||
| farsighted | (adjective) 1 having better vision for distant objects than for near ones. 2 see farseeing. | ||
| farther | (adjective) 1 at or to a greater distance. 2 additional. | ||
| fascinate | (verb) to attract or interest very strongly, to charm (she was fascinated by his travel stories). n fascination . | ||
| fascism | (noun) a political movement based on one personor racist views. n and adj fascist . | ||
| fashion | (noun) 1 the way in which a thing is done or made (paint after the fashion of van Gogh). 2 the kinds of clothes and other things popular at a certain time (1920s fashion). vb to shape, to make (fashion a figure out of clay). | ||
| fashionable | (adjective) 1 following a style that is currently popular (fashionable clothes/fashionable furniture). 2 used or visited by people following a current fashion (a fashionable hotel). | ||
| fast lane | (noun) a lane on a highway for moving at a higher speed or for overtaking other automobiles. | ||
| fast track | (noun) a career path offering rapid advancement. | ||
| fast1 | (verb) to do without food, especially for religious reasons (Muslims fasting during Ramadan/patients fasting before being operated on). n act or time of fasting. | ||
| fast2 | (adjective) 1 firm, fixed (make fast the rope). 2 quick, swift (at a fast pace). adv 1 firmly (made fast). 2 quickly (run fast). 3 (old) near. | ||
| fasten | (verb) 1 to fix firmly (fasten the gate). 2 to fix to (fasten a brooch to her dress). | ||
| fastener | (noun) 1 a device that joins together or fixes one thing to another (a zip fastener). 2 someone who fastens. | ||
| fastening | (noun) something that fastens such as a clasp. | ||
| fast-food | (noun) hot food that is prepared and served very quickly, often taken away to be eaten (fast-food such as hamburgers and French fries). | ||
| fastidious | (adjective) hard to please (fastidious about what she eats). n fastidiousness . | ||
| fastness | (noun) 1 the quality of being fast or quick. 2 a fort, a stronghold. | ||
| fat | (adjective) well fed, fleshy. n 1 an oily substance in animal bodies (cut the fat off the meat). 2 this substance, or the oily substance found in some plants, when in solid or almost solid form, used as a food or in cooking (fry the chicken in vegetable fat). | ||
| fatal | (adjective) 1 causing death (a fatal accident). 2 bringing danger or ruin, or having unpleasant results. | ||
| fatality | (noun) 1 death caused by accident, war, etc (a bomb attack resulting in several fatalities). 2 (fml) deadliness (the fatality of certain diseases). | ||
| fate | (noun) 1 a power that is supposed to decide future events before they happen (decide to take no action and leave it up to fate). 2 what will happen to someone in the future (a judge deciding the accused person’s fate). | ||
| fateful | (adjective) important for one’s future (a fateful decision). | ||
| father | (noun) 1 a male parent. 2 a person who begins, invents, or first makes something (the founding fathers of the United States). 3 a priest. vb 1 to be the father of (father several children). 2 to start an idea or movement (fathered the Scout movement). | ||
| fatherhood | (noun) the state of being a father. | ||
| father-in-law | (noun) the father of someone’s spouse. | ||
| fathom | (noun) a measurement of 6 feet or 1.8 meters, especially of the depth of water. vb to understand fully. | ||
| fatigue | (noun) 1 weariness, great tiredness (suffering from fatigue after climbing the mountain). 2 an unpleasant or tiring job. vb to tire out. | ||
| fatten | (verb) to make fat (fattening turkeys for Thanksgiving). | ||
| fatty | (adjective) containing fat. | ||
| faucet | (noun) a device for regulating the flow of a liquid from a pipe (turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth). | ||
| fault | (noun) 1 a mistake (the accident was his fault). 2 a weakness in character (his main fault is laziness). 3 an imperfection, something wrong with something (a fault in the machine). 4 a break in the rock of earth’s crust where one side moves against, above, or below the other. adj faulty. | ||
| faun | (noun) in Roman legend, a minor god, half man and half goat. | ||
| fauna | (noun) all the animals found in a country or region. | ||
| favor | (noun), also favour (Br) 1 a feeling of kindness or approval toward (look with favor on the suggestion). 2 an act done out of kindness (do him a favor and give him a ride to work). 3 something (e.g. a flower, rosette, etc) worn as a sign of good will or support (favors worn by the politician’s supporters). vb 1 (fml) to show more kindness to one person than to another (favor his son over his daughter). 2 to prefer (she favors the yellow dress). 3 to give an advantage (the weather favored the other team). | ||
| favorable | (adjective), also favourable (Br) kindly, helpful (favorable weather conditions). | ||
| favorite | (noun), also favourite (Br) a person or thing preferred to others (accused of being the teacher’s favorite). Also adj. | ||
| favoritism | (noun), also favouritism (Br) showing more liking for one person than for others (show favoritism to the youngest of her children). | ||
| fawn1 | (noun) 1 a young deer. 2 a yellowish brown color. adj yellowish brown. | ||
| fawn2 | (verb) to flatter or behave like a servant to gain another’s favor (fawning on his rich uncle). adj fawning . | ||
| fax | (noun) 1 a machine that sends and receives documents electronically along a telephone line and then prints them out, see facsimile, also called fax machine. 2 a document sent or produced in this way. vb to send by fax machine (fax the exam results). | ||
| FBI | (abbreviation) for Federal Bureau of Investigation, a US governmental organization that investigates crimes. | ||
| fear | (noun) dread, terror, anxiety (have a fear of spiders/the noises in the night filled her with fear). Also vb. | ||
| fearful | (adjective) 1 afraid (fearful of being attacked). 2 terrible (a fearful storm/a fearful sight). 3 (inf) very bad, very great (a fearful liar) | ||
| fearless | (adjective) unafraid (fearless explorers). | ||
| fearsome | (adjective) (fml) causing fear (a fearsome sight). | ||
| feasible | (adjective) possible, able to be done (a feasible planfee-zi-bi-li-tee/. | ||
| feast | (noun) 1 a meal with plenty of good things to eat and drink. 2 something extremely pleasing (the view was a feast for the eyes). 3 a day or period of time kept in memory, especially in religion, such as in honor of God or a saint. vb 1 to eat well. 2 to provide a good meal for others. | ||
| feat | (noun) a deed notable for courage, skill, etc. | ||
| feather | (noun) one of the growths that cover a bird’s body. vb to line or cover with feathers. feather one’s nest to make a profit for oneself by taking advantage of a situation. | ||
| feature | (noun) 1 an outstanding part of anything (his eyes are his most striking feature). 2 a special long article in a newspaper (a feature on children’s rights). 3 pl the face (have small features). vb to give or have a position, especially an important one (money features largely in his life). | ||
| Febriphobia | fear of fever (see list of phobias) | ||
| February | (noun) the second month of the year. | ||
| feckless | (adjective) 1 helpless (so feckless she can’t boil an egg). 2 careless. | ||
| federal | (adjective) united under one central government, but keeping local control of certain matters. | ||
| federation | (noun) 1 a group of states that give up certain powers to a common central government. 2 a joining of certain groups of people. | ||
| fee | (noun) 1 a payment made for special professional services, a charge or payment (she would have to pay a lawyer’s fee but she felt it would be worth it). 2 money paid for entering or being taught in a school, etc. | ||
| feeble | (adjective) very weak (the old lady has grown very feeblefee-bl-ness/. | ||
| feed | (verb) (pt, pp fed ) 1 to give food to (feed the children early). 2 to eat (cats feeding on mice). 3 to provide what is necessary for (feed the furnace/feed the imagination). 4 to put into (feed data into the computer). n food. | ||
| feedback | (noun) information about how good or bad something or someone has been (feedback about the athlete’s performance). | ||
| feel | (verb) (pt, pp felt ) 1 to touch (feel the bump on his head). 2 to find out by touching (feel the quality of the cloth). 3 to experience or be aware of (feel a sudden anger/feel the cold). 4 to believe or consider (feel that she is too old). 5 to be moved by, to have pity (feel for the orphaned children). n the sense of touch, a quality as revealed by touch (the smooth feel of silk). | ||
| feeler | (noun) 1 the thread-like organ of touch on an insect. 2 something said to try to get others to give their opinions (put out feelers to test the market). | ||
| feeling | (noun) 1 the sense of touch (lose the feeling in the fingers of her right hand). 2 emotion (a feeling of sadness). 3 kindness for others (have no feeling for the orphaned children). 4 an impression or belief (I have a feeling that he is lying). adj able to understand the emotions of others. | ||
| feet | pl of foot. | ||
| feign | (verb) to pretend (feign sleep). | ||
| feint | (noun) a pretended movement (the hockey player made a feint on one side of the goal before landing it in the other side). Also vb. | ||
| feisty | (adjective) energetic, full of spirit. | ||
| feline | (adjective) 1 cat-like. 2 of the cat family. | ||
| Felinology | study of felines (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Felinophobia | fear of cats (see list of phobias) | ||
| fell1 | pt of fall. | ||
| fell2 | (verb) to cut down, to knock down (felled trees for firewood). | ||
| fell3 | (adjective) (old) cruel, savage, deadly (a fell blow). | ||
| fell4 | (noun) an animal’s hide or skin. | ||
| fell5 | (noun) (Br) a rocky, bare hill; a moor. | ||
| fellow | (noun) 1 one of a pair (the fellow to a glove). 2 a companion and an equal (school fellows). 3 a member of a learned society or a college. 4 (inf) a man (quite a nice fellow). Also adj. | ||
| fellowship | (noun) 1 company (seek the fellowship of his co-workers). 2 friendship. 3 an association (a youth fellowship). 4 a grant of money given to someone to enable him or her to do advanced studies. | ||
| fellowship | Collective noun for yeomen (A fellowship of yeomen) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| felon | (noun) (fml) a criminal (convicted as a felon). | ||
| felony | (noun) (fml) a serious crime (commit a felony). | ||
| felt1 | (past tense) pp of feel. | ||
| felt2 | (noun) a cloth made of wool, hair and fur being worked together by pressure, heat, etc, instead of by weaving (a felt hat). | ||
| female | (adjective) 1 consisting of girls or women (the female changing area). 2 of or relating to the sex that produces offspring (our female dog is having puppies soon). Also n. | ||
| feminine | (adjective) 1 having the qualities considered suitable for a woman (wear feminine clothes). 2 of a woman (a feminine voice). | ||
| femininity | (noun) the state of being female or womanly (the femininity of her style of decoration). | ||
| feminism | (noun) the principle that men and women should have equal rights. n feminist . | ||
| femur | (noun) (fml) the thighbone (break his femur). adj femoral . | ||
| fence | (noun) 1 a wall made of wood or of wooden posts and wire to enclose a field or other land (a fence made of wire netting). 2 (inf) a receiver of stolen goods (the burglars handed on the stolen jewelry to a fence). vb 1 to put a fence round (fence in the garden). 2 to take part in sword-play. 3 to avoid giving direct answers to questions, especially by quibbling over minor points. sit on the fence to give no decision either way, to be neutral (sit on the fence and not give one’s support to either side). | ||
| fencing | (noun) 1 the materials for making a fence. 2 sword-play as a sport. | ||
| fend | (verb) 1 to keep off, to turn aside (fend off blows/fend off attackers). 2 to look after (fend for oneself). | ||
| fender | (noun) 1 a guard around the fireplace. 2 a pad made of rope, canvas, or wood to protect the side of a ship when at a pier. 3 a guard over the wheels of an automobile positioned so as to block the splashing of water or mud. 4 a metal frame fitted to the front of locomotives to absorb shock, clear the track, etc. | ||
| fennel | (noun) a sweet-smelling plant used as a herb and vegetable. | ||
| ferment | (noun) 1 that which causes fermentation. 2 excitement (children in a state of ferment before Christmas). vb 1 to cause or undergo fermentation (ferment alcohol). 2 to excite (ferment trouble among the workers). | ||
| fermentation | (noun) a chemical change that causes solids to break up and mix and liquids to froth and bubble. | ||
| fern | (noun) a plant with no flowers and feathery leaves that reproduces by spores. | ||
| ferocious | (adjective) fierce, cruel, savage (a ferocious dogfe-ros-i-tee/. | ||
| ferret | (noun) 1 a small weasel-like animal used in hunting rabbits. 2 a rare, black-footed weasel. vb 1 to search busily and persistently (ferreting about in the cupboard). 2 to find something carefully hidden (ferret out her secret diary/ferret out details of her past). | ||
| Ferris wheel | (noun) a large, upright wheel that rotates and that has seats on it; used as an amusement-park ride. | ||
| ferry | (verb) 1 to carry over water in a boat or airplane (ferrying passengers to the island). 2 to transport (ferried the children to and from school). n 1 a boat that ferries (the ferry that sank). 2 the place where a ferry crosses. | ||
| fertile | (adjective) 1 able to produce a lot of, fruitful (fertile land). 2 inventive (a fertile imagination). n fertility . | ||
| fertilize | (verb), also fertilise (Br) to make fertile or fruitful, to enrich (fertilizing the soil with manure). | ||
| fertilizer | (noun), also fertiliser (Br) a material mixed into soil to make it more fertile. | ||
| fervent | (adjective) 1 eager, devoted, sincere (a fervent supporter of the local team). 2 hot, burning, glowing. | ||
| fervid | (adjective) (fml) hot, glowing (a fervid desire). | ||
| fervor | (noun), also fervour (Br) strength of feeling (speak with great fervor). | ||
| fester | (verb) 1 (of a wound) to become full of poisonous matter, to become infected. 2 to give rise to bitter feelings, to become bitter (memories of the insult festering in his mind/resentment festered over the years). | ||
| festival | (noun) 1 a day or number of days spent in joy, celebrating, etc (a religious festival). 2 a season of plays, films, concerts, etc (a musical festival). | ||
| festival | Collective noun for balloons (A festival of balloons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| festive | (adjective) suited to a feast, merry, joyous (a festive occasion). | ||
| festivity | (noun) joyful celebration, merrymaking (join in the festivities). | ||
| festoon | (noun) a drooping chain of flowers, ribbons, etc, put up as a decoration; a hanging wreath. vb to decorate with festoons, etc (a room festooned with balloons). | ||
| feta | (noun) a soft, white cheese first made in Greece. | ||
| fetal | (adjective), also foetal of or like a baby that has not yet been born. | ||
| fetch | (verb) 1 to go and bring (fetch water from the well). 2 to be sold for (an old vase fetching $2000). | ||
| fetching | (adjective) attractive (a fetching red hat). | ||
| fetish | (noun) 1 an object that is worshipped and believed to have magic power. 2 something regarded with too much attention or respect (make a fetish of cleanliness). | ||
| fetus | (noun), also foetus an unborn baby. | ||
| feud | (noun) a lasting quarrel or strife between persons, families, etc (a feud between the families for 200 years). | ||
| feudal | (adjective) having to do with feudalism. | ||
| feudalism | (noun) a system in medieval Europe under which people worked and lived on land in exchange for military or other services. | ||
| fever | (noun) 1 a disease causing great heat in the body (scarlet fever). 2 an abnormally high body temperature (symptoms of flu such as fever and aching limbs). 3 excitement (in a fever of impatience). | ||
| fever | Collective noun for stingrays (A fever of stingrays) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fevered , feverish | (adjective) 1 hot with fever (the child is feverish). 2 excited (with feverish haste). | ||
| few | (adjective) not many, a small number of. | ||
| fez | (noun) a brimless red cap with a black tassel. | ||
| fiancé | (noun) a man engaged to be married. f fiancée a woman engaged to be married. | ||
| fiasco | (noun) (pl fiascoes or fiascos) a complete failure, a laughable failure (the show was a complete fiasco). | ||
| fib | (noun) a not very serious lie or untruth (children scolded for telling fibs). vb (fibbed, fibbing ) to tell untruths. n fibber . | ||
| fiber | (noun), also fibre (Br) 1 a thread-like part of an animal or plant (cotton fibers/nerve fibers). 2 a material made of fibers (woolen fiber for spinning). | ||
| fiberglass | (noun) finely spun, cotton-like glass. | ||
| Fibriophobia | fear of fever (see list of phobias) | ||
| Fibriphobia | fear of fever (see list of phobias) | ||
| fibrous | (adjective) like or made of fibers. | ||
| fibula | (noun) (fml) the outer of the two bones between the knee and the ankle (fracture her fibula). | ||
| fickle | (adjective) quickly changing, not faithful (a fickle friend). n fickleness . | ||
| fiction | (noun) 1 a made-up story (the account of the event was a complete fiction). 2 the art of writing stories (works of fiction). 3 novels (publish fiction). | ||
| fictitious | (adjective) imaginary, invented (fictitious characters/a fictitious town). | ||
| fiddle | (noun) a violin. vb 1 to play the violin. 2 to play about with (a girl fiddling with her hair). 3 to prepare or alter dishonestly to one’s own advantage (an accountant fiddling the books). n fiddler . | ||
| fiddlehead | (noun) 1 a carved decoration on a ship’s bow, curved like a violin head. 2 the coiled tip of a young fern often cooked and eaten as a vegetable. | ||
| fiddler crab | (noun) a small, burrowing crab, the male of which has one claw much bigger than the other. | ||
| fiddlesticks | (interjective) (old) nonsense. | ||
| fidelity | (noun) 1 faithfulness, loyalty (rely on his followers’ fidelity). 2 exactness (the fidelity of the translation). | ||
| fidget | (verb) to move about restlessly (children fidgeting with impatience). Also n. | ||
| fidget | Collective noun for suspects (A fidget of suspects) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| field | (noun) 1 open country. 2 an enclosed area of ground. 3 a battlefield. 4 a sports ground. field trip a trip away from the classroom to learn something new firsthand. vb 1 to catch and return a ball. 2 to put a team or player in the field for a game. 3 to deal with or handle (to field phone calls). | ||
| field | Collective noun for runners (A field of runners) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| field goal | (noun) 1 in football, a goal in which a ball is kicked from the field and scores three points. 2 in basketball, a basket which is scored while the ball is in play, which score two or three points. | ||
| field hockey | (noun) a team game played on a field in which players use long sticks with a curved, flat bottom to hit a small, hard ball into the other team’s goal. | ||
| field trip | (noun) a trip away from the classroom to learn something new first hand. | ||
| fielder | (noun) a baseball player whose position is in the outfield. | ||
| fiend | (noun) 1 a devil. 2 a very cruel person (the guard in the prison was a real fiend). adj fiendish . | ||
| fierce | (adjective) wild, angry (a fierce tigera fierce look). n fierceness . | ||
| fiery | (adjective) 1 having to do with fire. 2 easily angered or excited. | ||
| fiesta | (noun) a festival or celebration, especially a religious one. | ||
| fife | (noun) a small flute with six to eight finger holes. | ||
| fifth | adj 5th, coming after four others. n one of five equal parts. | ||
| fifty | n the number 50, coming between forty-nine and fifty-one. adj fiftieth 50th. | ||
| fig | (noun) 1 a soft fruit with many seeds. 2 the tree bearing such fruit. | ||
| fight | (verb) (pt, pp fought ) 1 to use force against another (boys fighting). 2 to take part in war or battle (armies fighting). 3 to quarrel, to argue (brother and sister always fighting). 4 to try hard to succeed (fighting for his life). n 1 a struggle in which force is used, a battle. 2 a hard effort (a fight to stay alive). | ||
| fighting | Collective noun for beggars (A fighting of beggars) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| figure | (noun) 1 the shape of the body (have a slim figure). 2 the shape of a person or a thing (see three figures in the distance). 3 lines drawn to show a shape (a six-sided figure). 4 a number. 5 a price (the house will fetch a high figure). 6 a diagram or illustration (number the figures in the book). vb 1 to work out the answer to a sum or problem. 2 to appear (she figures in his account of the event). 3 (inf) to think or consider (I figure he will arrive soon). | ||
| figure of speech | (noun) the use of words in an unusual meaning or order to express ideas with greater understanding or feeling. | ||
| figure skating | (noun) ice skating in which the skater makes elaborate figures on the ice and shows his or her ability by balancing and leaping in dance-like ways. | ||
| figurehead | (noun) 1 a carved figure fixed on the front of a ship (a figurehead in the shape of a woman). 2 a person who has a high position but no real power (the owner is now just a figurehead in the company). | ||
| figurine | (noun) a small, molded sculpture. | ||
| filament | (noun) 1 a very thin thread. 2 the thin wire in a light bulb. | ||
| file | Collective noun for manicurists (A file of manicurists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| file1 | (noun) 1 a number of papers arranged in order (a file relating to the house sale). 2 any device that keeps these papers in order (a cardboard file). 3 in a computer, a collection of related information stored under a particular name. 4 a row of persons, one behind the other (a file of schoolgirls). vb 1 to put in place in a file (file the correspondence). 2 to walk in file (people filing out of church). | ||
| file2 | (noun) a tool with a rough face for smoothing or cutting. vb to smooth or cut away with a file (filing her nails/filed through the metal bars). | ||
| filings | (noun, plural) the small pieces rubbed off by a file. | ||
| fill | (verb) 1 to make full (fill the bathtub with hot waterhave one’s fill of his advice). | ||
| fillet | (noun) 1 a thin strip or band worn around the head to keep the hair in place. 2 a flat, boneless piece of meat or fish (fillet of chicken). vb to take the bones out of and slice. | ||
| filling | (noun) 1 the act of one that fills. 2 a thing used to fill something else. 3 any of various substances that a dentist puts into a prepared cavity in a tooth. | ||
| filly | (noun) a young female horse. | ||
| film | (noun) 1 a thin skin or covering (a film of dust over the furniture). 2 the thin roll of material on which pictures are taken by a camera. 3 a movie (a horror film). vb to take a moving picture. | ||
| filter | (noun) a strainer; a device through which liquid or air is passed to clean it. vb to clean or separate by passing through a filter (filter the coffee). | ||
| filth | (noun) 1 dirt (clean the filth from his clothes). 2 anything considered foul, indecent, or offensive. | ||
| filthy | (adjective) 1 very dirty (filthy clothes after walking through the mud). 2 disgusting, foul. | ||
| fin | (noun) a small wing-like organ by means of which a fish swims. | ||
| final | (adjective) 1 last (the final chapter of the book). 2 putting an end to (my final offerfi-na-li-teefi-na-lee/. | ||
| finale | (noun) the last part of a piece of music, a play, etc (the whole cast took part in the finale). | ||
| finalist | (noun) a person who takes part in the final round of a contest. | ||
| Finance | study of money management (see list of branches of science) | ||
| finance | (noun) 1 having to do with money (seek a career in finance). 2 pl money resources (keep his finances in order). vb to find or provide the money for (financing his son’s business). adj financial . n financier . | ||
| finch | (noun) one of many kinds of small singing birds. | ||
| find | (verb) (pt, pp found ) 1 to come upon what a person is looking for (find the lost ring). 2 to discover (he was too late to find oil). 3 to decide (found the accused guilty). n a valuable discovery. | ||
| finding | (noun) a decision or opinion reached (the jury’s findings). | ||
| fine1 | (adjective) 1 very thin or small (fine bones). 2 excellent (a fine performance). 3 delicate, beautiful (fine china). 4 bright, sunny (a fine day/fine weather). 5 healthy (ill yesterday but feeling fine today). 6 slight (a fine difference). | ||
| fine2 | (noun) money paid as a punishment. vb to punish by fine (fined for a driving offence). | ||
| finesse | (noun) great skill and cleverness (handle the situation with great finesse). | ||
| finger | (noun) one of the five points that extend from the hand or glove. vb to touch with the fingers (finger the piano keys/fingered the material). | ||
| fingering | (noun) the use of the fingers in playing a musical instrument. | ||
| fingernail | (noun) the horny substance growing from the end of the finger. | ||
| fingerpicking | (noun) a style of guitar playing in which the thumb plays the bass notes and the index and middle fingers play the rest, often heard in country music and done with fingerpicks, special metal or plastic picks that fit on each finger. n fingerpick the picks defined above. | ||
| fingerprint | (noun) 1 the mark made by the tips of the fingers (burglars who left no fingerprints anywhere). 2 an ink print of the lines on the fingertips for identification purposes (a police file of fingerprints). | ||
| fingertips | (noun, plural) the tips of the fingers. have at one’s fingertips to have ready knowledge of (have the facts of the situation at their fingertips). | ||
| finicky | (adjective) 1 fussy, too particular (finicky tastes in food/a finicky eater). 2 needing a lot of attention to detail (a finicky job). | ||
| finish | (verb) 1 to bring to an end (unable to finish the job). 2 to come to an end (the show finished early). n 1 the end (the finish of the race). 2 extra touches to make perfect (furniture with a fine finish/manners lacking finish). | ||
| finite | (adjective) having an end, limited (human knowledge is finite). | ||
| fiord | see fjord. | ||
| fir | (noun) a cone-bearing (coniferous) tree. | ||
| fire | (noun) 1 the activity of burning, which gives out heat and light (a forest fire). 2 (fml) strong feeling, excitement (patriotic fire). vb 1 to start a fire. 2 to bake (fire pottery). 3 to cause to explode (firing a gun). 4 to arouse interest and/or excitement (fired them up with enthusiasm). 5 (inf) to dismiss from employment (fired his assistant for being late). | ||
| fire engine | (noun) a truck that carries firefighters and equipment for putting out fires. | ||
| fire escape | (noun) a long ladder or steps by which people can escape from a burning building. | ||
| fire extinguisher | (noun) a portable container used to put out fires. | ||
| fire house | (noun) the building where fire engines are kept and firefighters stay when on duty. | ||
| fire side | (noun) the area next to the fireplace in a home. | ||
| fire station | (noun) another term for fire house. | ||
| firearm | (noun) a gun, rifle, or pistol (the police issued with firearms). | ||
| firecracker | (noun) a usually small paper covered cylinder with an explosive inside and a fuse that makes a sharp noise when set off. | ||
| firefighter | (noun) a person who is trained to put out fires. | ||
| firefly | (noun) any of the beetles that glow in the dark. | ||
| fireplace | (noun) a framed opening in the wall of a house to hold a fire (a marble fireplace). | ||
| fireproof | (adjective) that cannot be set on fire (fireproof material for children’s clothes). | ||
| firewood | (noun) wood, such as sticks or logs, which will be burned as fuel to heat a home. | ||
| fireworks | (noun, plural) explosives of different colors and styles set off in the dark for a showy celebration (let off fireworks on the Fourth of July). | ||
| firm1 | (adjective) 1 steady, not easily moved (he had a firm grip on the company’s finances. 2 determined (she was very firm about not going out with them). n firmness . | ||
| firm2 | (noun) a business company organized to manufacture or trade in goods (a publishing firm). | ||
| first | (adjective) before all others (the first person to arrive/his first visit). adv 1 before all others (speak first). 2 before doing anything else (speak first and then act). | ||
| first aid | (noun) treatment given to an injured person before the doctor arrives; simple medical attention (received first aid when he got hurt playing football). | ||
| first base | (noun) the base to the left of the pitcher in baseball, the first of four the runner must run around to score. | ||
| first class | (adjective) of the highest class, rank, excellence, etc. | ||
| first mate | (noun) a ship’s officer next in rank below the captain. | ||
| first name | (noun) a personal name that comes before the family name or surname and is given at birth, also called forename and sometimes Christian name (his first name is Joe). | ||
| firstborn | (noun) (fml) eldest child. | ||
| fish | (noun) a cold-blooded animal with gills and fins that lives in water. vb 1 to try to catch fish. 2 (inf) to search for (fishing in her bag for her keys). 3 (inf) to try to get by indirect means (fish for compliments). | ||
| fisher | (noun) a person who fishes. | ||
| fishhook | (noun) a hook, usually barbed, for catching fish. | ||
| fishing pole | (noun) a simple device with a line extending out from it used to catch fish. | ||
| fishing rod | (noun) a slender pole with an attached line, hook, and reel used in fishing. | ||
| fishmonger | (noun) someone who buys and sells fish. | ||
| fishtail | (verb) to move forward with a side-to-side swinging motion of the rear (the car fishtailed on the ice). | ||
| fishy | (adjective) 1 of or like fish (a fishy smell). 2 doubtful, arousing suspicion (rather a fishy story/fishy situation). | ||
| fission | (noun) the splitting into parts. | ||
| fist | (noun) the hand tightly shut (fight with their fists). | ||
| fistful | Collective noun for dollars (A fistful of dollars) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fistful | Collective noun for grasses (A fistful of grasses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fit1 | (adjective) 1 suitable, proper, right (a fit person for the jobfood not fit to be eaten). 2 in good health. n the particular way in which something fits (a good fit/a tight fit). vb (fitted, fitting) 1 to be of the right size (a coat that fits beautifully). 2 to suit (a punishment that fits the crime). 3 to make suitable (many people believe that the punishment should fit the crime). | ||
| fit2 | (noun) 1 a sudden attack of illness, fainting, etc (her child had coughing fits all night). 2 a sudden feeling (a fit of anger). | ||
| fitful | (adjective) occurring in short periods, not regularly or steadily (in fitful bursts of energy/fitful sleep). | ||
| fitness | (noun) suitability (question his fitness for the job). | ||
| fitter | (noun) someone who puts the parts of machinery together. | ||
| fitting | (adjective) suitable, proper (fitting behavior/a fitting end to his career). n 1 a thing fixed in position (kitchen fittings). 2 the trying on of clothes to see if they fit (a fitting for a wedding dress). | ||
| five | n the number 5, coming between four and six. | ||
| five-and-ten-cent store | (noun) a store that sells inexpensive items, originally mostly marked for five or ten cents each. | ||
| fix | (verb) 1 to make firm (fix the loose tiles). 2 to arrange (fixing a meeting). 3 to fasten (fixed a brooch to her dress). 4 to repair (fix the broken radio). 5 (inf) to arrange the result of dishonestly (fix the result of the election). n (inf) a difficulty. | ||
| fixate | (verb) to focus on (he is fixated by the weather and watches any and all programs about the weather). n fixation . | ||
| fixative | (noun) a substance used to make something permanent, prevent fading, etc (the drawing was sprayed with fixative to stop it smudging). | ||
| fixed | (adjective) firm, not moving or changing (a fixed starefik-sed-lee/. | ||
| fixture | (noun) 1 anything fastened in place (bathroom fixtures). 2 any person or thing that has remained in a situation so long as to seem fixed there. | ||
| fizz | (verb) to release or give off many bubbles (soda pop fizzing in the glass). n 1 bubbles of gas in a liquid (soda pop that has lost its fizz). 2 the sound of fizzing. 1 (inf) enthusiasm, liveliness, excitement (the fizz went out of the party). adj fizzy. | ||
| fizzle | (verb) to fail, to come to nothing (after an enthusiastic start our plans fizzled out). | ||
| fjord | (noun) a long, narrow bay running inland between steep rocky hills (Norway has many beautiful fjords). | ||
| flab | (noun) sagging flesh. | ||
| flabbergast | (verb) to astonish (flabbergasted by the expense of the vacation). adj flabbergasted. | ||
| flabby | (adjective) 1 soft, hanging loosely (flabby muscles). 2 having soft loose flesh (his muscles became flabby after he gave up doing his exercises). n flabbiness . | ||
| flaccid | (adjective) soft and weak, flabby, hanging in loose folds (flaccid muscles). | ||
| Flag Day | (noun) June 14, the day in 1777 when the US flag was adopted. | ||
| flag1 | (noun) 1 a square or oblong piece of material with a pattern on it representing a country, party, association, etc (the French flag). 2 a colored cloth or paper used as a sign or signal (red flags at dangerous beaches). vb (flagged, flagging) 1 to signal with flags (flag dangerous beaches). 2 to cause a vehicle to stop by signaling to the driver (police flagging down speeding motorists). | ||
| flag2 | (noun) any of the wild irises with flat fans of sword-shaped leaves and white blue, or yellow flowers. | ||
| flag3 | (noun) a flat paving stone (there was a path made of flags through the garden). | ||
| flag4 | (verb) (flagged , flagging ) (fml) to become tired (flagging after a hard day’s work). | ||
| flagpole | (noun) a pole on which a flag is raised and flown. | ||
| flair | (noun) 1 a natural ability (a flair for languages/a flair for organizing). 2 style, stylishness, an original and attractive quality (dress with flair). | ||
| flake | (noun) 1 a small thin piece of anything, especially a small loose piece that has broken off something (flakes of paint/flakes of chocolate). 2 a very light piece (e.g. of snow). vb to come off in flakes (paint flaking off). adj flaky. | ||
| flamboyant | (adjective) 1 very brightly colored or decorated (flamboyant clothes). 2 showy and confident (a flamboyant person/with flamboyant gestures). | ||
| flame | (noun) a tongue of fire, a blaze (a candle flame). vb to burn brightly (the fire flamed suddenly). | ||
| flamenco | (noun) a Spanish gypsy style of dance or music featuring stamping, clapping, etc. | ||
| flaming | (adjective) 1 burning with flames. 2 excited, violent (in a flaming temper). 3 very bright (flaming red hair). | ||
| flamingo | (noun) (pl flamingoes ) a brightly colored water bird with long legs and neck. | ||
| flammable | (adjective) likely to catch fire and burn easily (gasoline is very flammable). | ||
| flan | (noun) 1 a piece of shaped metal ready to be made into a coin by a stamp. 2 a dessert tart filled with custard, fruit, etc. 3 a Spanish dessert of custard covered with a burnt-sugar syrup. | ||
| flange | (noun) a rim that sticks out, as on a wheel that runs on rails. | ||
| flank | (noun) 1 the fleshy part of an animal’s side between the ribs and the hip (stroke the horse’s flank). 2 the side of anything (e.g. an army, a mountain, etc). vb to be at the side of, to move to the side of (the prisoner flanked by the policemen). | ||
| flannel | (noun) 1 a soft, loosely woven woolen cloth (blankets made of flannel). 2 a shirt or other piece of clothing made from this material. | ||
| flap | (noun) 1 anything fixed at one end and hanging loose at the other (the flap of the tent). 2 the sound made by such a thing when it moves (the flap of the clothes hanging on the line). 3 (inf) panic, agitation (don’t get in a flap). vb (flapped , flapping ) 1 to flutter, to move up and down, to make a sound as of fluttering (clothes flapping on the line). 2 (inf) to get into a panic, to become confused or excited (people flapping in an emergency). | ||
| flap | Collective noun for plastic surgeons (A flap of plastic surgeons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flapjack | (noun) 1 a pancake; 2 a type of cake usually made with oats, syrup, butter and sugar. | ||
| flare | (verb) 1 to blaze up, to burn brightly but unsteadily (a match flared in the darkness). 2 to spread out (jeans flaring at the bottom). n 1 a bright, unsteady light. 2 a light used as a signal (ships firing off emergency flares). 3 a gradual widening, especially of a skirt. | ||
| flare-up | (noun) a sudden outburst of flame, anger, trouble, etc (a flare-up of his illness). | ||
| flash | (noun) 1 a quick or sudden gleam (a flash of light). 2 (inf) a moment (all over in a flash). 3 anything lasting for a very short time (a flash of humor). 4 a device for producing a short burst of electric light when taking photographs. vb 1 to shine out suddenly (lights flashing). 2 to move very quickly (days that seem to flash past). | ||
| flash | Collective noun for paparazzi (A flash of paparazzi) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flash flood | (noun) a sudden, violent flood, as after a heavy rain. | ||
| flashback | (noun) 1 a section of a story, play, film, etc telling of something that happened in the past. 2 a sudden, clear, detailed memory of something in the past. | ||
| flashcard | (noun) one of a set of cards with words, numbers, etc on them flashed one by one for a quick answer, used in the classroom or as a study aid. | ||
| flashlight | (noun) an electric torch (he had to find his way in the dark by flashlight). | ||
| flashy | (adjective) gaudy, showy (flashy clothes/a flashy car). | ||
| flask | (noun) 1 a kind of bottle with a narrow neck, used in laboratories. 2 a pocket bottle (a hip flask of water). | ||
| flat | (adjective) 1 level (flat land). 2 uninteresting, dull, and lifeless (things a bit flat after Christmas). 3 (of music) below the right note. 4 lying full length (people flat on the ground after the explosion). 5 deflated, without enough air in it (a flat tire). 6 clear, strong, firm (a flat denial). 7 no longer fizzy (soda pop gone flat). n 1 a level area (cycle on the flat). 2 the flat part or side (with the flat of my hand). 3 a musical sign (b) showing that a note is to be played a semitone lower. 4 a flat tire (went to fix the flat). n flatness. | ||
| flatbed | (adjective) of a truck, trailer, etc, having a bed or platform without sides or stakes. | ||
| flatbread | (noun) bread made into thing, circular pieces or sheets, such as pita or matzo. | ||
| flatfish | (noun) a kind of fish, such as a flounder or sole, with a flat body and both eyes and mouth on one side of its body. | ||
| flatten | (verb) to make flat (flatten the uneven ground). | ||
| flatter | (verb) 1 to praise excessively or insincerely (because he wanted to borrow her car, he flattered his mother with lots of compliments on her dress). 2 to make appear better than is true (candlelight flatters the room). n flatterer . | ||
| flattery | (noun) insincere or excessive praise. | ||
| flatulence | (noun) gas in the stomach or bowels. adj flatulent . | ||
| flatware | (noun) flat tableware, such as knives, forks, spoons, etc. | ||
| flaunt | (verb) to show off; to try to draw attention to (he flaunted his wealth by buying expensive clothes and gold jewelry). | ||
| flauta | (noun) a Mexican dish consisting of a tortilla rolled tightly around a filling, such as shredded chicken or beef, and deep fried. | ||
| flavor | (noun), also flavour (Br) 1 a taste (have the flavor of strawberries). 2 the taste special to a thing. vb to add something to a dish to improve its taste (the chef flavored the sauce with his own mix of herbs/flavor the ice cream with rum). | ||
| flavoring | (noun), also flavouring (Br) something added to improve the taste (not one of their products has artificial flavoring). | ||
| flaw | (noun) 1 a crack, a defect, an imperfection (the flaw reduces the value of the antique vase). 2 any weakness that makes a person or thing less than perfect, less effective, etc (flaws in her characterflawd/. | ||
| flawless | (adjective) without any imperfections or defects. | ||
| flax | (noun) a plant with narrow leaves and blue flowers, the fibers of which are made into linen and the seeds of which are made into linseed oil. | ||
| flaxen | (adjective) 1 like or of flax. 2 light yellow in color (flaxen hair). | ||
| flea | (noun) a small, jumping, bloodsucking insect (dogs with fleas). | ||
| flea market | (noun) a bazaar, usually outdoors, dealing mainly in cheap, secondhand goods. | ||
| fleck | (noun) a spot (flecks of dirt on the white towels/flecks of white on the cat’s black fur). vb to mark with spots (black fur flecked with white). | ||
| fledgling | (noun) a young bird learning to fly. | ||
| flee | (verb) (pt, pp fled ) to run away, to run away from (people fleeing from the invading army). | ||
| fleece | (noun) the woolly coat of a sheep or similar animal. vb 1 to cut the wool off (shepherds fleecing sheep). 2 (inf) to overcharge (fleece the customers). | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for ambulances (A fleet of ambulances) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for bass (A fleet of bass) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for boats (A fleet of boats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for buses (A fleet of buses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for cars (A fleet of cars) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for chartered planes (A fleet of chartered planes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for coaches (A fleet of coaches) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for ducklings (A fleet of ducklings) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for jets (A fleet of jets) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for lorries (A fleet of lorries) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for mud hens (A fleet of mud hens) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for ships (A fleet of ships) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for vans (A fleet of vans) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for vessels (A fleet of vessels) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet | Collective noun for yachts (A fleet of yachts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fleet1 | (noun) 1 a large number of ships, cars, airplanes, etc, together. 2 a large group of warships commanded by an admiral. | ||
| fleet2 | (adjective) (fml) quick-moving (fleet of foot). vb (fml) to pass quickly (she was all to aware of time fleeting past). | ||
| fleeting | (adjective) (fml) passing quickly (fleeting moments). | ||
| flesh | (noun) 1 the soft substance that covers the bones of an animal to form its body (the trap cut into the rabbit’s flesh). 2 this as food (animals that eat flesh rather than plants). 3 the edible part of fruit (the flesh of a melon). 4 the body. 5 the desires of the body. | ||
| fleshly | (adjective) having to do with the body and its desires. | ||
| fleshy | (adjective) fat (fleshy arms). | ||
| flex | (verb) to bend (flexing his muscles/flex one’s toes). n a cord of rubber-covered wires used to carry electric currents. | ||
| flexible | (adjective) 1 easily bent (flexible tubing). 2 easily changed, adaptable (flexible plans). 3 willing and able to change according to the situation; adaptable (he tried to be flexible). n flexibility . | ||
| flick | (verb) to strike lightly and quickly (flick a piece of dirt from his sweater/flick the light switch on). Also n. | ||
| flicker | (verb) 1 to shine or burn unsteadily (a candle flickering). 2 to flutter, to move quickly and lightly (with eyes flickering). Also n. | ||
| flight | (noun) 1 the act of flying (the airplane was in flight). 2 the act of running away (the flight of the refugees). 3 the movement or path of a thing through the air (the flight of an arrow). 4 a journey made by air (a long-haul flight). 5 a number of birds flying together (a flight of geese). 6 a set of stairs or steps (a flight of wooden stairs). | ||
| flight | Collective noun for aeroplanes (A flight of aeroplanes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flight | Collective noun for aircraft (A flight of aircraft) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flight | Collective noun for butterflies (A flight of butterflies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flight | Collective noun for cormorants (A flight of cormorants) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flight | Collective noun for dragons (A flight of dragons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flight | Collective noun for golf balls (A flight of golf balls) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flight | Collective noun for goshawks (A flight of goshawks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flight | Collective noun for planes (A flight of planes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flight | Collective noun for refugees (A flight of refugees) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flight | Collective noun for stairs (A flight of stairs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flight | Collective noun for steps (A flight of steps) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flight | Collective noun for swallows (A flight of swallows) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flight | Collective noun for yesterdays (A flight of yesterdays) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flight attendant | (noun) a person whose job it is to look after passengers in an aircraft (passengers kept the flight attendants busy for the whole flight). | ||
| flight control | (noun) 1 the control from the ground by radio of aircraft in flight. 2 a station using such control. | ||
| flight deck | (noun) the upper deck of an aircraft carrier, which is used as a runway. | ||
| flight plan | (noun) a pilot’s oral or written report that states the speed, altitude, and destination of a flight. | ||
| flighty | (adjective) 1 changeable, unreliable (flighty young girls). | ||
| flimsy | (adjective) 1 thin (a dress of flimsy material). 2 not strong, easily broken or destroyed (a flimsy box). 3 weak (a flimsy excuse). | ||
| flinch | (verb) to draw back in fear or pain (flinched as the bully raised his hand). | ||
| fling | (verb) (pt, pp flung ) 1 to throw (fling papers on the floor). 2 to move suddenly and forcefully (the little boy flung himself onto the floor in a temper). n 1 a throw. 2 a brief love affair. 3 a trial effort. | ||
| fling | Collective noun for dunlins (A fling of dunlins) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fling | Collective noun for oxbirds (A fling of oxbirds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fling | Collective noun for sandpipers (A fling of sandpipers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flint | (noun) 1 a hard stone (rock containing a lot of flint). 2 a piece of hard mineral from which sparks can be made when struck (a flint for his lighter). Also adj. | ||
| flip | (verb) (flipped , flipping ) 1 to turn over lightly but sharply (flip over the pages of the book). 2 to toss (flip a coin in the air). Also n. adj disrespectful, not serious (don’t be flip with me). | ||
| flippant | (adjective) not serious; disrespectful (a flippant remark). n flippancy . | ||
| flipper | (noun) a broad, flat part or limb used by certain sea creatures (e.g. seal, turtle, penguin) when swimming. | ||
| flirt | (verb) 1 to show interest in for a time only (flirt with the idea of moving). 2 to behave toward another as if attracted by or to attract (she was flirting with all the men at the party). n someone who plays at making love. n flirtation . | ||
| flirtatious | (adjective) fond of flirting. | ||
| float | (verb) 1 to remain on the surface of a liquid (rafts floated on the water/swimmers floating on their backs). 2 to start (a new business or company) by selling shares to the public. 3 to suggest, to put forward (float a few ideas at the meeting). n 1 anything that floats (e.g. a raft, a buoy, etc) or helps to make something else float. 2 a low, flat, decorated vehicle for carrying things in a parade. 3 a cold beverage with ice cream floating in it (a root beer float). | ||
| float | Collective noun for tuna (A float of tuna) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flock | Collective noun for auks (A flock of auks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flock | Collective noun for birds (A flock of birds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flock | Collective noun for budgerigars (A flock of budgerigars) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flock | Collective noun for bustards (A flock of bustards) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flock | Collective noun for camels (A flock of camels) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flock | Collective noun for ducks (A flock of ducks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flock | Collective noun for geese (A flock of geese) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flock | Collective noun for ostriches (A flock of ostriches) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flock | Collective noun for pigeons (A flock of pigeons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flock | Collective noun for seagulls (A flock of seagulls) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flock | Collective noun for swifts (A flock of swifts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flock | Collective noun for tourists (A flock of tourists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flock1 | (noun) 1 a company of birds or animals (a flock of sheep). 2 a number of people together (people arriving in flocks). 3 a congregation (a priest and his flock). vb to come together in a crowd (people were flocking to the sales). | ||
| flock2 | (noun) 1 a tuft or flake of wool. 2 waste wool used for stuffing cushions, etc (a mattress made of flock). | ||
| floe | (noun) a large sheet of floating ice. | ||
| floe | Collective noun for ice (A floe of ice) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flog | (verb) (flogged , flogging ) to beat, to thrash (flog wrongdoers). n flogging . | ||
| flood | (noun) 1 an overflowing of water onto dry land. 2 a rush (of water, people, etc) (a flood of correspondence). 3 the flowing in of the tide. vb 1 to overflow, to cover with water (water flooding the town). 2 to arrive in great quantities (letters flooded in). | ||
| flood plain | (noun) a plain that borders a river, made up of the soil deposited by the river after it floods. | ||
| floodlight | (noun) a very bright lamp directed onto the outside of a building at night to light it up. Also vb. n floodlighting . | ||
| floodlight | Collective noun for ideas (A floodlight of ideas) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| floor | (noun) 1 the bottom surface of a room on which a person walks (an uncarpeted floor). 2 any bottom surface (the floor of the ocean). 3 all the rooms, etc, on the same level in a building (rent the first and second floors). vb 1 to make a floor (floor the room with pine). 2 to knock down (the boxer floored his opponent with one blow). 3 (inf) to astound (they were completely floored by his announcement to get married). | ||
| floor plan | (noun) a scaled drawing of the layout of the rooms of a house or building. | ||
| floorboard | (noun) the wooden boards that make up the floor in a house or building. | ||
| flooring | (noun) 1 a floor. 2 material for making a floor. | ||
| flop | (verb) (flopped , flopping ) 1 to sit or fall down heavily or loosely (flop down exhausted in a chair). 2 to hang or swing heavily or loosely (the girl’s long hair was flopping all over the place in the wind). 3 to fail completely, to be unsuccessful (the Broadway play flopped). n a complete failure. | ||
| floppy | (adjective) hanging loosely, not stiff (a floppy hat). | ||
| flora | (noun) all the plants in a country or region. | ||
| floral | (adjective) having to do with flowers (a floral arrangement/a floral tribute). | ||
| florist | (noun) someone who grows or sells flowers (she asked the florist if she would make up the bouquets for her wedding day). | ||
| Floristry | study of cultivating and selling flowers (see list of branches of science) | ||
| floss | (noun) 1 rough silk. 2 any fluffy substance. 3 waxed thread for cleaning between the teeth. vb to clean teeth with floss. | ||
| flotilla | Collective noun for swordfish (A flotilla of swordfish) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flotsam | (noun) floating wreckage (the flotsam from the wrecked ship). | ||
| flounce1 | (verb) to move sharply or quickly (flounced out in a temper). Also n. | ||
| flounce2 | (noun) a gathered strip of cloth sewn by its upper edge round a skirt or dress and left hanging (a skirt with lace flounces). n flouncing . | ||
| flounder1 | (noun) a type of flatfish, a fluke. | ||
| flounder2 | (verb) 1 to struggle helplessly or awkwardly (walkers floundering in the mud). 2 to be in doubt as to what to say next, to hesitate, to struggle when speaking (he lost his notes and floundered helplessly when giving the lecture). | ||
| flour | (noun) grain, especially wheat or corn, ground into powder (whole wheat flour). | ||
| flourish | (verb) 1 to get on well, to be very successful, to prosper (a company that is flourishing). 2 to grow well, to bloom (flowers flourished). 3 to wave about in a showy manner (flourish his letter of acceptance). n 1 spoken words or handwriting that attract attention by being unusual. 2 a sudden short burst of music (a flourish of trumpets). 3 a bold, sweeping movement or gesture (open the door to his guests with a flourish). | ||
| flourish | Collective noun for blossoms (A flourish of blossoms) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flourish | Collective noun for strumpets (A flourish of strumpets) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flourish | Collective noun for trumpets (A flourish of trumpets) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| floury | (adjective) 1 covered with flour (floury hands). 2 like flour (floury potatoes). | ||
| flout | (verb) to pay no attention to, to disobey openly and scornfully (some children were always flouting the school rules). | ||
| flow | (verb) 1 to move steadily and easily, as water (tears flowinga flow of information). | ||
| flowchart | (noun) a diagram showing the order of stages in a process or system (a flowchart of the production process). | ||
| flower | (noun) 1 a blossom, consisting of petals and bearing pollen. 2 the best part of (the flower of the nation’s young men). vb to blossom or bloom. | ||
| flowerpot | (noun) a container in which plants can be grown. | ||
| flowery | (adjective) 1 full of flowers (flowery meadows). 2 patterned with flowers (a flowery wallpaper). 3 ornate, over-elaborate (flowery language). | ||
| flu | (noun) short for influenza, a sickness caused by a virus. | ||
| fluctuate | (verb) 1 to rise and fall, as a wave (prices fluctuating). 2 to vary, to change continually and irregularly (opinions that fluctuate). n fluctuation . | ||
| flue | (noun) a passage in a chimney for carrying away air or smoke. | ||
| fluent | (adjective) able to speak or write quickly and easily (fluent in Frenchfloo-en-see/. | ||
| fluff | (noun) any soft or feathery material (fluff from blankets on his dark suit/the fluff on new-born chickens). | ||
| fluffy | (adjective) like fluff, soft and downy (fluffy little ducklings). | ||
| fluid | (adjective) 1 able to flow, flowing. 2 able to change quickly (fluid arrangements). 3 smooth and graceful (dance with fluid movements). n any substance that flows, as liquid or gas. | ||
| Fluid dynamics | study of flow of fluids (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Fluid mechanics | study of fluids behaviour at rest and in motion (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Fluid statics | study of fluids behaviour at rest (see list of branches of science) | ||
| fluke1 | (noun) a type of flatfish, a flounder. | ||
| fluke2 | (noun) 1 the part of an anchor that hooks into the seabed. 2 one of the pointed parts on a whale’s tail. | ||
| fluke3 | (noun) (inf) a lucky chance (win by a fluke). | ||
| flume | (noun) a human-made channel or chute for carrying water, usually down a mountainside. | ||
| fluorescence | (noun) a quality in certain substances that enables them to give off very bright light. | ||
| fluorescent | (adjective) having or showing fluorescence (fluorescent paint). | ||
| fluoride | (noun) a chemical compound that is sometimes added to toothpaste and water supplies to prevent tooth decay. | ||
| flurry | (noun) 1 confused movement (in a flurry of excitement when the visitors were coming). 2 a sudden rush of air, rain, etc (a flurry of snow). vb to make anxious or confused (unexpected visitors always flurried her). | ||
| flush | (verb) 1 to become suddenly red in the face (flush with embarrassment/flushed with the heat). 2 to cleanse by a flow of water (flush the toilet). n 1 a sudden redness in the face (heat bringing a flush to her face). 2 a rush of water. 3 freshness, vigor (in the first flush of youth). adj 1 (inf) having plenty of money (he is flush because he has just been paid). 2 level (flush with the wall). | ||
| flush | Collective noun for plumbers (A flush of plumbers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flush | Collective noun for wing commanders (A flush of wing commanders) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fluster | (verb) to make confused, to over-excite (get flustered in an emergency). Also n. | ||
| flute | (noun) 1 a wooden musical wind instrument. 2 a shallow hollow carved in a pillar. vb 1 to play the flute. 2 to carve hollows or grooves. | ||
| fluther | Collective noun for jellyfish (A fluther of jellyfish) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| flutter | (verb) 1 to move the wings up and down quickly without flying (moths fluttering). 2 to move about quickly (flags fluttering in the breeze/fluttered her eyelashes). n 1 quick movement (with a flutter of her eyelashes). 2 (inf) excitement (the new arrival caused a flutter in the office). 3 (inf) a bet, a gamble (have a flutter on the horses). | ||
| flutter | Collective noun for flutists (A flutter of flutists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Fluviology | study of watercourses (see list of branches of science) | ||
| fly | (verb) (pt flew , pp flown ) 1 to move through the air on wings (birds flying). 2 to travel by airplane (prefer to fly than to go by train). 3 to move quickly (I must fly—I’ll be late). 4 to run away (fly from the invading army). n 1 a common flying insect (the house fly). 2 a fishing hook covered with feathers to make it look like a fly. 3 a flap, especially one that closes the entrance to a tent. n flier, flyer . | ||
| FM | (abbreviation) for frequency modulation, a system that uses waves to send and receive sound (we listen to 88.1 FM on the radio for news). | ||
| foal | (noun) a young horse, mule, donkey, etc. vb to give birth to a foal. | ||
| foam | (noun) bubbles on the top of liquid, froth (the foam on a glass of root beer). vb to gather or produce foam (a mad dog foaming at the mouth). | ||
| focaccia | (noun) a round, flat Italian yeast bread that has a crispy crust and contains olive oil, herbs, etc. | ||
| focal | (adjective) 1 of a focus. 2 central, main (the room’s focal point is a marble fireplace). | ||
| focus | (noun) (pl foci or focuses ) 1 a point at which rays of light meet. 2 a center of interest or attention (the beautiful woman was the focus of everyone’s attention). vb 1 to bring to bear on one point (focus his attention on the firm’s financial problems). 2 to get a clear image in the lens of a camera before taking a photograph. | ||
| fodder | (noun) dried food for cattle, horses, sheep, etc. | ||
| foe | (noun) (fml) an enemy (the country’s foe/regard his rival as a foe). | ||
| fog | (noun) a thick mist. | ||
| fogey, fogy | (noun) a person whose ideas are out of date (teenagers think he is an old fogey for not liking loud rock music). | ||
| foggy | (adjective) 1 misty (a foggy day). 2 confused, vague (have just a foggy impression of what she looked like). | ||
| foil1 | (verb) to cause to fail, to defeat (foil their attempt to win the prize). | ||
| foil2 | (noun) 1 a very thin sheet of metal (wrap the leftovers in aluminum foil). 2 the metal coating on the back of a mirror. | ||
| foil3 | (noun) a long, thin sword with a cap or button on the tip to prevent injury, used in fencing. | ||
| fold | Collective noun for chairs (A fold of chairs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fold1 | (verb) 1 to bend one part of a thing all the way over to cover another part (fold the blanket in half). 2 to enclose (fold her in his arms). n 1 a line or crease made by folding (iron out the folds in the sheets). 2 the part doubled over. | ||
| fold2 | (noun) a place where sheep are kept. | ||
| folder | (noun) a stiff cover for holding papers, letters, etc (keep his important documents in a folder). | ||
| foliage | (noun) (fml) the leaves of trees or other plants (a plant with silvery-green foliage). | ||
| folio | (noun) 1 a sheet of paper folded so that it opens to two equal, opposing pages. 2 the number of pages in a book | ||
| folk | (noun) 1 (inf) people (the friendly folk next door). 2 the people of a country or a particular part of a country (townsfolk). 1 (inf) pl relatives, parents (take him home to meet her folks). | ||
| folklore | (noun) all the stories, songs, beliefs, etc, that have been passed on from one generation of people to another (e.g. folk dance, folk song, folk tale). | ||
| Folkloristics | study of folklore and fables (see list of branches of science) | ||
| follow | (verb) 1 to go or come after (follow her mother down the path). 2 to be next in order to (autumn follows summer). 3 to go along (follow the mountain path). 4 to accept as a leader or a teacher (some people are taught to follow God). 5 to result from (disease that followed the drought). 6 to understand (I don’t follow what you mean). | ||
| follower | (noun) a supporter (followers of the football team). | ||
| following | (noun) all one’s supporters (a football team with a huge following). adj next in order (the following day). | ||
| following | Collective noun for stalkers (A following of stalkers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| folly | (noun) 1 foolishness (their folly is lending him money). 2 a foolish act (regret their follies). | ||
| fond | (adjective) 1 having a love or liking for (fond of musicfond-ness/. | ||
| fondle | (verb) to stroke, to touch lovingly (fondling the dog’s ear). | ||
| font | (noun) 1 the basin holding the water for baptism. 2 a set of type of the same size and style. | ||
| food | (noun) that which can be eaten (a shortage of food). | ||
| food chain | (noun) a series of living things, each of which feeds on the one below it in the series (cats are above mice in the food chain/humans are at the top of the food chain). | ||
| fool | (noun) 1 a silly or stupid person (he was a fool to leave his job). 2 (old) a jester (the fool in Shakespeare’s plays). vb 1 to deceive (succeed in fooling his friends). 2 to behave as if someone were a fool (fool around with the children). | ||
| foolish | (adjective) silly, stupid (a foolish thing to dofoo-lish-ness/. | ||
| foolproof | (adjective) unable to go wrong even when foolishly used (the filing system is meant to be foolproof). | ||
| foot | (noun) (pl feet ) 1 the part of the leg below the ankle. 2 the lowest part of anything (the foot of the stairs/the foot of the page). 3 in imperial measurement a length equal to 12 inches. 4 foot-soldiers. vb (inf) to pay (foot the bill). | ||
| football | (noun) 1 a team game with eleven players on each side, the object of which is to score points by kicking field goals through the goal posts or running the ball in for a touchdown. 2 the ball used to play this game. See also soccer. | ||
| foothills | (noun, plural) low hills at the bottom of mountains (the foothills of the Rocky Mountains). | ||
| footing | (noun) 1 a safe place for the feet (a climber seeking a footing). 2 balance (miss his footing and fall). 3 foundation, basis (a business on a firm footing). 4 relationship (on a friendly footing with the boss). | ||
| footlights | (noun, plural) lights on the floor at the front of the stage in a theater. | ||
| footnote | (noun) a note at the bottom of a page (footnotes explaining part of the text). | ||
| footpath | (noun) a narrow path used by walkers only. | ||
| footprint | (noun) the mark left by a foot (police examining footprints at the murder scene). | ||
| footstep | (noun) the sound or mark made by the foot of someone walking (hear footsteps behind me). | ||
| footstool | (noun) a low stool to support the feet of a person seated. | ||
| for | prep 1 in place of (to use coats for blankets). 2 in the interest of (to speak for another). 3 for the purpose of going (she left for the day). 4 in search of (look for the lost glove). 5 as being (he knew for a fact). 6 the length of (for an hour). | ||
| forage | (noun) food for cattle or horses. vb 1 to gather food for cattle or horses. 2 to go out and look for food. 3 to search, to hunt, to rummage (foraging around in the cupboard). | ||
| forbid | (verb) (pt forbade , pp forbidden ) to order not to do (forbid his son to drive his car). | ||
| forbidding | (adjective) frightening (rather a forbidding expression). | ||
| force | (noun) 1 strength, power (the force of the wind). 2 violence (have to use force to get him into the car). 3 an organized body of people (the police force). 4 pl the army, navy, and air force (the military forces). 5 a person or thing that has great power (a force in the local council). vb 1 to make (somebody do something) (force him to clean his room). 2 to get something by strength, violence, or effort (forcing his way through the crowd). 3 to grow plants out of season under artificial conditions. | ||
| forced | (adjective) brought about by force, unnatural, strained (a forced smile). | ||
| forceful | (adjective) strong, energetic (a forceful speechfoarse-fu-lee/. | ||
| forceps | (noun) an instrument like tongs or pincers used by doctors and dentists to hold, lift, or grip things. | ||
| forcible | (adjective) done by force (forcible entry to the house). | ||
| ford | (noun) a place where a river is shallow enough to be crossed. vb to wade across. | ||
| fore | (adjective) and adv in front. interj (in golf) a warning shout made by a player. | ||
| forearm1 | (noun) the arm from the elbow to the wrist (tennis players have strong forearms). | ||
| forearm2 | (verb) to arm or prepare in advance (forearmed by a list of the questions the audience were likely to ask). | ||
| foreboding | (noun) a feeling that evil is going to happen (a foreboding that he was going to die in the battle/there are some who look upon the future with foreboding). | ||
| forecast | (verb) (pt, pp forecast) to say what will happen in the future (impossible to forecast the result of the match/it is easier nowadays to forecast the weather). Also n. | ||
| forefather | (noun) an ancestor (his forefathers came from Ireland). | ||
| forefinger | (noun) the finger next to the thumb, index finger (point with his forefinger). | ||
| forefront | (noun) the front part (as a young man he was in the forefront of the campaign against nuclear weapons). | ||
| forego1 | (verb) (pt forewent , pp foregone ) to go before. | ||
| forego2 | see forgo. | ||
| foregoing | (adjective) earlier, previous (the foregoing passage in the book). | ||
| foregone | (adjective) previously determined, predicted (everyone agreed it was a foregone conclusion that he would win). | ||
| foreground | (noun) 1 the nearest objects shown in a picture (a house in the background and two figures in the foreground). 2 the nearest part of a view. | ||
| forehead | (noun) the part of the face above the eyebrows and below the hairline (frown lines in her forehead). | ||
| foreign | (adjective) 1 belonging to or concerning another country (foreign customers/a foreign vacation). 2 strange (meanness was foreign to her nature). 3 out of place (a foreign object in her body). | ||
| foreigner | (noun) a person from a different country from where they are (considered foreigners when visiting Brazil). | ||
| foreleg | (noun) one of the front legs of an animal (the racehorse broke its left foreleg). | ||
| foremost | (adjective) 1 most famous, best (the foremost writer of his generation). 2 most important (the foremost issue before the committee). | ||
| forename | see first name. | ||
| forensic | (noun) 1 having to do with the law or courts of law (forensic medicine). 2 having to do with applying scientific, especially medical, knowledge to legal matters, as in crime investigation. | ||
| forerunner | (noun) 1 (old) someone who goes before with a message or announcement. 2 a person or thing that comes before another (a forerunner of the jet plane). vb forerun . | ||
| foresee | (verb) (pt foresaw , pp foreseen ) to see what is going to happen (no one could have foreseen the accident). | ||
| foreshadow | (verb) to be a sign of future events (his personal defeat in his own event foreshadowed the defeat of the whole team). | ||
| foresight | (noun) the ability to guess and prepare for future events (he had the foresight to save for his old age). | ||
| foresight | Collective noun for housekeepers (A foresight of housekeepers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| foreskin | (noun) the fold of skin that covers the tip of the penis; this is sometimes removed by circumcision for religious or medical reasons. | ||
| forest | (noun) a large area covered by trees and undergrowth. | ||
| forestall | (verb) to guess what another is going to do and act before him or her. | ||
| forestation | (noun) the planting and caring for forests. | ||
| forested | (adjective) covered with trees and undergrowth. | ||
| forester | (noun) a person in charge of a forest. | ||
| Forestry | study of the management of forests (see list of branches of science) | ||
| forestry | (noun) the study of planting and looking after forests. | ||
| foretell | (verb) (pt, pp foretold ) to say what will happen in the future (claim to be able to foretell the future from the stars/she foretold that he would go to prison). | ||
| forethought | (noun) care taken to ensure that the results of actions will be good (have the forethought to book tickets in advance). | ||
| forever | (adverb) for always, endlessly, at all times. | ||
| forewarn | (verb) to warn in advance (he tried to forewarn his brother that their father was angry). | ||
| foreword | (noun) a piece of writing at the beginning of a book as an introduction. | ||
| forfeit | (verb) to lose or give up (forfeit his right to the throne/the team had to forfeit because not enough players could come). n that which is so lost or given up; a fine. | ||
| forge | (noun) 1 a blacksmith’s workshop. 2 a furnace for heating metal. vb 1 to beat hot metal into shape. 2 to make by hard effort (forging a new career). 3 to imitate something to deceive (forged the old man’s signature on the will). | ||
| forger | (noun) a person who forges. | ||
| forgery | (noun) 1 act of imitating something dishonestly, especially another’s writing. 2 the imitation so made (this is not his handwriting on the will—it’s a forgery). | ||
| forget | (verb) (pt forgot , pp forgotten ) to fail to remember (she forgot his name/forget to bring her notes). | ||
| forgetful | (adjective) bad at remembering (becoming forgetful). n forgetfulness . | ||
| forget-me-not | (noun) a small blue flower. | ||
| forgive | (verb) (pt forgave , pp forgiven ) 1 to pardon (forgive her disloyalty). 2 to stop being angry or bitter toward; to stop blaming or wanting to punish (he forgave his son for crashing the car). n forgiveness . adj forgivable . | ||
| forgiving | (adjective) quick to forgive (a forgiving nature). | ||
| forgo , forego | (verb) to give up, to do without (make up her mind to forgo meat for life). | ||
| fork | (noun) 1 an instrument with two or more pointed prongs used for digging, eating, etc. 2 a place where two roads meet. 3 a place where a tree or branch divides. vb 1 to raise or dig with a fork (fork the hay/fork the soil). 2 to divide into branches (the road forks outside the town). | ||
| forked | (adjective) divided into branches or sections (the snake had a forked tongue). | ||
| forklift | (noun) a device on the front of a truck for lifting heavy objects. | ||
| forlorn | (adjective) left alone, miserable (standing forlorn on the platform after the train pulled away). | ||
| form | (noun) 1 shape (forms such as trianglesform the matches into a triangleideas forming in her mind). | ||
| formal | (adjective) 1 following the accepted rules or customs (a formal invitation). 2 stiff in manner (rather a formal old woman). n a dance (invited to the spring formal). adv formally . | ||
| formality | (noun) 1 stiffness of manner. 2 something done only to carry out a rule (sending you a letter of acceptance was a formality). 3 care to follow rules and customs (observe the formalities of the wedding ceremony). | ||
| format | (noun) the general shape and size of anything (the format of the book). vb to prepare a computer disk so that data can be recorded and stored on it. | ||
| formation | (noun) 1 act of forming. 2 an orderly arrangement (planes flying in formation). | ||
| formative | (adjective) helping to shape or develop (in her formative childhood years). | ||
| former | (adjective) earlier, past (in former times). pron the person or thing previously mentioned. | ||
| formerly | (adverb) in earlier times (he formerly worked in a bank). | ||
| formidable | (adjective) 1 to be feared (her mother seems rather formidable). 2 difficult (a formidable task). | ||
| formless | (adjective) having no definite shape or regular plan. | ||
| formula | (noun) (pl formulae or formulas ) 1 a fixed arrangement of words or numbers. 2 a rule in arithmetic set down with signs or letters so that it can be used for any sum. 3 in chemistry, the use of signs or letters to show how substances are made up. | ||
| formulate | (verb) (fml) to express or set down clearly (find it difficult to formulate her objections). | ||
| forsake | (verb) (pt forsook , pp forsaken ) to give up, to abandon (forsake his family/forsake her religion). | ||
| fort | (noun) 1 a place prepared for defense against an enemy. 2 a permanent military post. | ||
| forte1 | (noun) one’s strong point, the thing at which a person is best (tact is not her forte). | ||
| forte2 | (adverb) (mus) loud. | ||
| forth | adv 1 onward in time, place, or order (from that time forth). 2 out (go forth). | ||
| forthcoming | (adjective) 1 about to happen, coming soon (new candidates in the forthcoming election). 2 open, responsive (a forthcoming personality). | ||
| forthright | (adjective) saying what one thinks (a forthright person/a forthright reply). | ||
| fortify | (verb) 1 to strengthen or enrich (cereal fortified with vitamins). 2 to build defenses around (fortify the city against attack). | ||
| fortitude | (noun) ability to suffer without complaint; courage, patience (the dying woman bore her pain with fortitude). | ||
| fortitude | Collective noun for graduate students (A fortitude of graduate students) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fortunate | (adjective) lucky (a fortunate young lady/come at a fortunate time). | ||
| fortune | (noun) 1 luck, chance (she had the good fortune to win the lottery). 2 wealth, a large amount of money (make a fortune). 3 the supposed power that affects one’s life (fortune is on his side). | ||
| forty | (noun) the number 40, coming between thirty-nine and forty-one. adj fortieth 40th. | ||
| forum | (noun) (pl forums or fora ) 1 (old) the market place in a Roman town. 2 any place of public discussion (the town hall is a forum for discussing all the local issues). 3 a meeting involving a public discussion (a forum on local traffic policy). | ||
| forward | (adverb) toward the front (step forward). adj 1 advancing (a forward movement). 2 near the front (the forward part of the bus). 3 in advance (forward planning). 4 developing more quickly than usual (forward for her age). 5 bold, not shy. vb 1 to send on (forward mail). 2 to help move along (forwarding our plans). | ||
| fossil | (noun) 1 the remains of a plant or animal hardened into stone and so preserved in rock or earth. 2 (inf) a person whose ideas are out of date. | ||
| fossil fuel | (noun) a natural substance, such as coal or oil, found underground and formed in an earlier time, used as a source of energy. | ||
| foster | (verb) 1 to look after for a time, to bring up a child that is not one’s own (fostering the boy while his mother was unable to look after him). 2 to encourage (foster hopes/foster her daughter’s talent). | ||
| foster child | (noun) (pl foster children ) a child nursed and brought up by someone who is not his or her parent (they had four foster children). | ||
| foster father , foster mother | (noun), foster parents(noun, plural) those who bring up the child(ren) of other parents (her foster parents gave her a safe and stable home). | ||
| foster home | (noun) a home in which foster children are cared for by people other than their families (the foster home tried to provide a happy and secure home for the the children in their care). | ||
| foul | (adjective) 1 dirty, disgusting (a foul smell/a foul mess). 2 stormy (foul weather). 3 against the rules (foul play). 4 nasty (he was foul to his wife). 5 bad (use foul language). vb 1 to make or become dirty (fouling the streets). 2 to become entangled (ropes getting fouled). 3 to break the rules of a game (foul his opponent). n an action that is against the rules of a game. | ||
| foul line | (noun) the line that surrounds the area of play in a game. | ||
| foul play | (noun) 1 unfair play. 2 violence or murder (the police suspected foul play when they saw all the blood). | ||
| found1 | pt and pp of find. | ||
| found2 | (verb) 1 to start from the beginning, to set up (found a new club). 2 to give money to start a school, hospital, etc. n founder . | ||
| foundation | (noun) 1 the lowest part of a building on which the walls stand (lay the foundations of the new theater). 2 the amount of money given to start a school, hospital, etc. | ||
| founder1 | (verb) 1 to fill with water and sink (ships foundering). 2 to come to nothing, to fail (our plans foundered). | ||
| founder2 | a person who founds or establishes something (he was the founder of many famous institutions). | ||
| foundry | (noun) a workshop where metals are melted and shaped. | ||
| fount | (noun) 1 (old) a spring of water. 2 (fml) a cause or beginning (the fount of knowledge). | ||
| fountain | (noun) 1 a spring of water. 2 a jet of water thrown into the air from a pipe (take a drink from the drinking fountain in the park). 3 (fml) a beginning or source (when he was young he believed his father was the fountain of all knowledge). | ||
| fountain pen | (noun) a pen containing a supply of liquid ink. | ||
| four | n the number 4, coming between three and five. | ||
| four-poster | (noun) (old)a bed with four tall corner posts that sometimes hold up a decorative drape. | ||
| fourteen | n the number 14, coming between thirteen and fifteen. | ||
| fourteenth | adj 14th, coming after thirteen others. n one of fourteen equal parts. | ||
| fourth | adj 4th, coming after three others. n one of four equal parts. | ||
| four-way | (adjective) giving passage in four different directions (a four-way intersection). | ||
| fowl | (noun) a bird, especially the farmyard chicken or rooster (a boiling fowl). | ||
| fox | (noun) 1 a dog-like animal with reddish brown or gray fur and a bushy tail. 2 a cunning or deceitful person. f vixen . | ||
| foxhole | (noun) a hole dug in the ground as a temporary protection for soldiers. | ||
| foxhound | (noun) a kind of dog with black, tan, and white fur that is trained for hunting. | ||
| foxy | (adjective) 1 cunning (with foxy cleverness). 2 like a fox (a foxy smell). 3 reddish brown (hair of a foxy color). 4 attractive (a foxy lady). | ||
| foyer | (noun) an entrance hall (hotel foyer). | ||
| fraction | (noun) 1 a part of a whole. 2 a small part (a fraction of the cost). 3 in arithmetic, part of a whole number, e.g. 14, etc. | ||
| fractional | (adjective) very small (a fractional improvement). | ||
| fracture | (noun) 1 a break (a fracture in the pipe). 2 the breaking of a bone. vb to break, to suffer a fracture (fracturing a bone in his leg). | ||
| Fracture mechanics | study of the propagation of cracks in materials (see list of branches of science) | ||
| fragile | (adjective) 1 easily broken (fragile goods). 2 not strong (fragile after her illness). | ||
| fragment | (noun) 1 a part broken off (fragments of china). 2 a small part (not a fragment of common sense). vb fragment to break into fragments. | ||
| fragrance | (noun) 1 scent, sweet smell (the fragrance of flowers). 2 perfume (market a new fragrance). | ||
| fragrant | (adjective) sweet-smelling (fragrant flowers). | ||
| frail | (adjective) 1 weak, feeble, delicate (frail old ladies). 2 (old) easily tempted to do wrong. | ||
| frame | (verb) 1 to make, to construct (framing a sentenceframe a plan). 2 to put into a frame (frame the painting). 3 (inf) to cause someone to seem guilty of a crime (they framed him by putting the stolen goods in his shed). n 1 the supports around which the rest of a thing is built (the frame of the ship). 2 the border of metal, wood, etc, placed around a picture (a photograph frame). 3 the body (a slender frame). | ||
| framer | (noun) a person or thing that frames. | ||
| framework | (noun) the supports around which the rest of a thing is built (the framework of the ship/the framework of their plans). | ||
| franc | (noun) money that was formerly used in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, etc. | ||
| franchise | (noun) 1 the right to vote (when women got the franchise). 2 a special right given or sold by a company to one person or group of people to sell the company’s goods or services in a particular place (a hamburger franchise). | ||
| Francophobia | fear of France or French culture (see list of phobias) | ||
| frank1 | (adjective) 1 saying what one really thinks, honest (a frank personfrangk-ness/. | ||
| frank2 | (verb) to put an official mark on a letter. | ||
| frankfurter | (noun) a long, thin smoked sausage; a hotdog. | ||
| frankincense | (noun) a gum giving a sweet-smelling smoke when burned. | ||
| frantic | (adjective) 1 very anxious or worried (frantic about her missing children/frantic mothers). 2 wildly excited, hurried (frantic pace of modern life). | ||
| fraternal | (adjective) brotherly (fraternal love). | ||
| fraternity | (noun) 1 a group of men meeting for a common purpose. 2 (fml) the state of being brothers or like brothers. | ||
| fraternize | (verb), also fraternise (Br) to mix with in a friendly or brotherly way (accused of fraternizing with the enemy). | ||
| fraud | (noun) 1 dishonesty (found guilty of fraud). 2 a deceiving trick (carry out a frauds on a trusting person). 3 a person who deceives (the doctor turned out to be a fraud). | ||
| fraudulent | (adjective) dishonest (fraudulent behavior). | ||
| fray1 | (noun) 1 a fight. 2 a noisy quarrel. | ||
| fray2 | (verb) 1 to wear away by rubbing (rubbing against the wall had frayed the rope). 2 to become worn at the edges (material fraying easily). 3 to upset (with nerves frayed). | ||
| freak | (noun) 1 a living creature of unnatural form. 2 a strange, unexpected happening (by some freak, snow fell in July). adj strange, unusual (a freak accident). | ||
| freakish | (adjective), also freaky very unusual, strange (a freakish result). | ||
| freckle | (noun) a brownish yellow spot on the skin. adj freckled. | ||
| free | (adjective) 1 at liberty, able to do what a person wants (former prisoners now freegoods given free). 6 open, frank (a free manner). n 1 to set at liberty (freeing the prisoner). 2 to set free from (freed him from his responsibility). | ||
| free throw | (noun) in basketball, a clear shot at the basket from a certain line allowed to a player because the other team had done something wrong. | ||
| free trade | (noun) the exchanging of goods without making a customs charge on imports. | ||
| free verse | (noun) poetry without rhyme or a standard, regular pattern. | ||
| freedom | (noun) 1 the state of being at liberty (ex-prisoners enjoying their freedom). 2 the right to act, think, speak, etc, as a person pleases (freedom of speech). 3 the state of being without (freedom from pain). 4 the unlimited use of something (have the freedom of the house). | ||
| freelance | (noun) someone who works for himself or herself and not any particular company. vb to work in such a way (freelancing for various newspapers). | ||
| free-range | (adjective) of eggs, laid by hens that are allowed to move around freely. | ||
| freestyle | (adjective) (sports) not limited to one specific style. | ||
| freethinker | (noun) someone who tries to work out his or her own ideas about God, religion, politics, morals, etc. | ||
| freeway | (noun) 1 a toll-free highway. 2 an express highway with no intersections. | ||
| freeze | (verb) (pt froze , pp frozen ) 1 to harden because of cold (a dessert left to freeze). 2 to become or make into ice (the pond sometimes freezes). 3 to be very cold (it’s freezing today). 4 to make (food) very cold so as to preserve it (freeze raspberries). 5 to become suddenly still (he froze when he saw the gunman). | ||
| freeze | Collective noun for northerners (A freeze of northerners) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| freezer | (noun) a piece of electrical equipment or the part of a refrigerator that freezes and preserves food or other things at very low temperatures. | ||
| freight | (noun) 1 the cargo of a ship. 2 the load on a train carrying goods. 3 the cost of transporting goods (freight included in the price of the goods). | ||
| freight car | (noun) a railroad car used to transport goods. | ||
| freighter | (noun) a cargo ship. | ||
| French | (adjective) of or relating to France. n the language spoken in France. | ||
| French bread | (noun) a long, slender loaf of white bread with a hard, crisp crust. | ||
| French cuff | (noun) a double cuff, on the sleeves of a shirt, that is turned back on itself and fastened with cuff links. | ||
| French doors | (noun, plural) two glass doors that are next to each other and hinged at opposite sides so that they open together in the middle. | ||
| French dressing | (noun) a creamy, orange-colored salad dressing. | ||
| French fries | (noun) thin pieces of sliced potato that have been deep fried. | ||
| French horn | (noun) a brass musical instrument consisting of a long, spiral tube ending in a flared bell. | ||
| French toast | (noun) sliced bread dipped in an egg batter and then fried in a pan. | ||
| French twist | (noun) a woman’s hairstyle in which the hair is gathered at the back and twisted into a vertical coil running down the back of her head. | ||
| frenzied | (adjective) wild, uncontrolled (a frenzied dance). | ||
| frenzy | (noun) 1 a sudden attack of madness (yelled at his friend in a frenzy). 2 uncontrollable excitement or feeling (the fans at the rock concert worked themselves into a frenzy). | ||
| frenzy | Collective noun for cheerleaders (A frenzy of cheerleaders) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| frenzy | Collective noun for contestants (A frenzy of contestants) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| frequency | (noun) 1 the number of times something happens (increase the frequency of his visits to his father). 2 the number of waves, vibrations, etc, per second. | ||
| frequent | (adjective) happening often, common (a frequent visitor). vb to visit often (frequent the store at the corner). | ||
| fresh | (adjective) 1 new (no fresh news). 2 not tired (feeling fresh after a night’s sleep). 3 cool (fresh air). 4 not stale (fresh bread). 5 not frozen or canned (fresh vegetables). 6 not salted (fresh butter). | ||
| freshen | (verb) 1 to make or become fresh (the air has freshened at last). 2 to cause to become less untidy, etc (we had time to freshen up for dinner). n freshener . | ||
| freshman | (noun) a student in the first year of high school or college. | ||
| freshwater | (noun) not saltwater. adj of or relating to those things that live in fresh water. | ||
| fret | (verb) (fretted , fretting ) 1 to wear away by rubbing (rope becoming fretted). 2 to worry, to be anxious (children fretting while their mother is away). | ||
| fret | Collective noun for guitarists (A fret of guitarists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| fretful | adj troubled, irritable (overtired children getting fretful). | ||
| friar | (noun) a member of a Roman Catholic religious order. | ||
| friary | (noun) a house of friars. | ||
| friction | (noun) 1 rubbing, a rubbing together (a rope worn by friction). 2 the resistance felt when one object is moved against another (friction between the wheels of a car and the road). 3 disagreement (some friction between the two departments). | ||
| Friday | (noun), adv the sixth day of the week, following Thursday. | ||
| fridge | (noun) a refrigerator. | ||
| friend | (noun) a close companion. Society of Friends the religious group also known as the Quakers. | ||
| friendly | (adjective) 1 kind (friendly people). 2 fond of or liking one another (they have been friendly since their schooldays). n friendliness . | ||
| friendship | (noun) the state of being friends (form a friendship/value her friendship). | ||
| frieze | (noun) a decorative border around the top of a wall. | ||
| frigate | (noun) a small fast warship. | ||
| fright | (noun) a sudden feeling of fear, a shock (get a fright when she saw the strange man). | ||
| fright | Collective noun for ghosts (A fright of ghosts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| frighten | (verb) to make afraid (the strange noise frightened the children). | ||
| frightful | (adjective) 1 dreadful, causing fear (a frightful experience when the car crashed). 2 (inf) very bad, dreadful (wearing a frightful dress/the film was frightful). | ||
| frigid | (adjective) 1 (fml) cold, frozen (the frigid areas of the world). 2 cold and unemotional, unfriendly (give a frigid starefri-ji-di-tee/. | ||
| Frigophobia | fear of cold or cold things (see list of phobias) | ||
| frill | (noun) 1 a loose ornamental edging of cloth gathered or pleated at one end and sewn on to a garment. 2 an unnecessary ornament (a plain room with no frills). adj frilly . | ||
| fringe | (noun) 1 an ornamental edging of hanging threads (a skirt with a fringe round the hem). 2 the edge (the fringe of the lake). vb to border. | ||
| Frisbee | (noun) 1 a simple game in which a flat, plastic disk is flung between players. 2 the disk used to play this game. | ||
| frisk | (verb) 1 to jump and dance about, to play about joyfully (lambs frisking about). 2 to search quickly. | ||
| frisky | (adjective) playful, active (frisky horses). | ||
| frittata | (noun) an omelet with vegetables, meat, etc, in the egg mixture and cooked slowly until fluffy and served without folding. | ||
| fritter | (noun) any sweet or tasty food cut small, fried in batter, and served hot (banana fritters). vb to waste (frittering away money on sweets/fritter away her time). | ||
| frivolity | (noun) fun, lack of seriousness. | ||
| frivolous | (adjective) 1 interested only in amusement (frivolous nature/a frivolous man). 2 not taking important matters seriously; silly (make frivolous comments). 3 not serious, playful, light-hearted (frivolous pleasures). | ||
| frizz | (verb) to form into small, tight curls. adj frizzy . | ||
| frizzle | (verb) 1 to form into small, tight curls. 2 to fry with a sputtering, hissing noise (bacon frizzling in the pan). | ||
| fro | adv. to and fro forward and back again (wander to and fro along the sea front). | ||
| frog | (noun) a cold-blooded, four-footed land and water creature that can leap long distances (tadpoles growing into frogs). | ||
| frogman | (noun) a person trained and equipped for underwater work. | ||
| frolic | (verb) (frolicked , frolicking ) to play about, to dance or jump about happily (children frolicking around the garden/lambs frolicking). n a trick played for fun; lively amusement. | ||
| from | prep 1 beginning at (tickets are on sale from tomorrow). 2 starting with (from two until three). 3 out of (money from his wallet). 4 with (a shed made from wood). 5 as not being like (tell one brother from the other). 6 because of (to scream from fright). | ||
| frond | (noun) a leaf, especially of a palm or fern. | ||
| front | (noun) 1 the forward part of anything. 2 in war, the place where the fighting is going on (news from the front). Also adj. vb to face, to stand before. | ||
| frontier | (noun) 1 the boundary between one country and another (show passports at the frontier). 2 that part of a settled, civilized country that is still underdeveloped and somewhat wild. | ||
| frost | (noun) frozen dew or moisture freezing (young plants killed by a late frost). vb 1 to cover with frost (fields frosted over in winter). 2 to cover with icing (frost the birthday cake). 3 to treat glass so that it cannot be seen through (frosted glass on the bathroom window). | ||
| frostbite | (noun) injury caused to the body by very severe cold. adj frostbitten . | ||
| frosting | (noun) icing for cakes (pink frosting on the birthday cake). | ||
| frosty | (adjective) 1 covered with frost (frosty roofs). 2 cold because of frost (a frosty day). 3 unfriendly (a frosty manner). | ||
| froth | (noun) a mass of tiny bubbles on the surface of liquid, foam (the froth on a glass of root beer). vb to throw up froth. adj frothy . | ||
| frown | (verb) to wrinkle the forehead, to scowl, to look angry (frown at the children’s bad behavior/frown in disapproval). Also n. frown on to discourage, to disapprove of (frown on staff leaving early). | ||
| frozen | (adjective) 1 turned into or covered in ice. 2 motionless or unyielding (he was frozen in horror). | ||
| fructose | (noun) a sugar found in fruit and honey. | ||
| frugal | (adjective) 1 careful, not wasteful, thrifty (he’s frugal with money). 2 very small, not much (a frugal meal). n frugality . | ||
| fruit | (noun) 1 the part of a plant that produces the seed, often eaten as a food (apples, pears, and other fruits). 2 result (the fruits of his research). | ||
| fruit bat | (noun) any fruit-eating bat, such as the flying fox. | ||
| fruit cup | (noun) mixed diced fruits served in a small bowl as a dessert or appetizer (also fruit cocktail). | ||
| fruit fly | (noun) a small fly that feeds on fruit. | ||
| fruitcake | (noun) 1 a rich cake containing nuts, fruit, spices, etc. 2 (sl) a foolish person (he’s a bit of a fruitcake). | ||
| fruitful | (adjective) 1 (old) fertile. 2 having good results (fruitful discussions). | ||
| fruition | (noun) fulfillment, a successful ending (plans finally coming to fruition). | ||
| fruitless | (adjective) unsuccessful (a fruitless search). | ||
| fruity | (adjective) like fruit in taste or smell. | ||
| frump | (noun) a badly or unfashionably dressed woman (she’s such a frump). adj frumpy . | ||
| frustrate | (verb) 1 to make to fail (frustrating their attempt). 2 to cause to have feelings of disappointment or dissatisfaction (frustrated by the dullness of her jobfru-stray-shun/. | ||
| fry1 | (verb) to cook in fat (fry bacon). n anything fried. | ||
| fry2 | (noun) (pl fry) young fish. | ||
| fryer | (noun) a person or thing that fries. | ||
| frying pan | (noun) a shallow pan with a handle for frying food. | ||
| fuchsia | (noun) 1 a shrub with long, hanging, bell-shaped flowers of a pink, red, or purple color. 2 purplish-red (her dress was silky and a lovely fuchsia color). | ||
| fudge | (noun) a soft candy made with butter, sugar, cream, etc. vb to refuse to commit, to fail to give a direct answer. | ||
| fuel | (noun) 1 material to keep a fire going (coal and logs as fuel). 2 material used for producing heat or power by burning (high fuel bills because of the central heating system). | ||
| fugitive | (noun) someone who is running away. adj 1 (fml) passing quickly (fugitive hours). 2 escaping (fugitive prisoners). n a person who flees from danger, pursuit, or duty. | ||
| fugue | (noun) a piece of music in which different parts or voices carry the same tune at different times. | ||
| fulfill | (verb) (fulfilled , fulfilling ), also fulfil (Br) 1 to carry out successfully, to complete (fulfill tasksfool-fil-ment/, also fulfilment (Br). | ||
| full dress | (noun) formal clothes worn on special occasions. adj full-dress. | ||
| full moon | (noun) the phase of the moon when its entire face can be seen from earth. | ||
| full sail | (adjective) with every sail set up and in use. | ||
| full1 | (adjective) 1 holding as much as possible (a full bucket). 2 complete (a full report). n fullness . | ||
| full2 | (verb) to clean and thicken cloth. n fuller . | ||
| fullback | (noun) in football, one of the players used for blocking the other team members. | ||
| full-blown | (adjective) in full bloom, fully opened (full-blown roses). | ||
| full-bodied | (adjective) having a rich, strong flavor. | ||
| full-fledged | (adjective) having a complete set of feathers, completely developed. | ||
| full-grown | (adjective) having reached full size. | ||
| full-length | (adjective) showing or covering the full length of an object or all of a person’s figure, said of pictures, mirrors, etc. | ||
| full-service | (adjective) offering all the services for a business of its kind (a full-service gas station). | ||
| full-time | (adjective) engaged in work, study, etc, for the full extent of the working hours of the day. | ||
| fulmar | (noun) a type of sea bird. | ||
| fulminate | (verb) 1 (fml) to thunder. 2 to speak loudly and threateningly (my father was fulminating about my sister coming in late). n fulmination . | ||
| fulsome | (adjective) excessive; insincere (fulsome praise/fulsome apologies). | ||
| fumble | (verb) 1 to feel for something not seen (fumbling in the dark for the light switch). 2 to handle clumsily (fumble the catch and drop the ball). | ||
| fume | (noun) smoke, vapor (paint fumes/gas fumes). vb 1 to give off fumes. 2 (inf) to show anger (I was fuming about his insulting remarks). | ||
| fumigant | (noun) the substance used in fumigation. | ||
| fumigate | (verb) to disinfect by means of fumes (fumigating the room after the patient died of scarlet fever). n fumigation . | ||
| fun | (noun) merriment, amusement, enjoyment (children having fun in the park). adj amusing, enjoyable (have a fun time). | ||
| function | (noun) 1 the work that a thing is made or planned to perform; its use (the function of the car’s engine/the function of the liver). 2 duties (his function is to supervise the workers). 3 (fml) a public ceremony or party (the firm’s holiday function). vb 1 to work as intended. 2 to act. | ||
| functional | (adjective) designed with a view to its use (functional rather than decorative furniture). | ||
| functionary | (noun) (fml) an official (council functionaries). | ||
| fund | (noun) 1 an amount laid aside till needed (a vacation fund). 2 money collected or kept for a purpose (the church repair fund). | ||
| fundamental | (adjective) having to do with the beginning or most necessary parts of something, of great importance (the fundamental principles of mathematics/a fundamental difference). Also n. | ||
| fundamentalism | (noun) the belief that the whole of the Bible is to be believed and lived by exactly as written. | ||
| fundraiser | (noun) an event put together to raise money for an organization, cause, etc. | ||
| funeral | (noun) 1 burial of the dead. 2 the ceremonies performed at burial. | ||
| funeral director | (noun) a person who manages funerals. | ||
| funeral home | (noun) a place of business where the dead are prepared for burial and where services can be held. | ||
| funerary | (adjective) of or having to do with a funeral. | ||
| funereal | (adjective) gloomy, sad, dark (funereal music/a funereal atmosphere). | ||
| fungal | (adjective) having to do with or caused by a fungus (a fungal infection). | ||
| fungus | (noun) (pl fungi or funguses ) 1 a mushroom, toadstool, or similar plant. 2 an unhealthy growth on an animal or plant (roses affected by a fungus). | ||
| funk1 | (verb) (inf) to fear to do, to be frightened (funk telling his mother about the broken window). n a state of fear (in a funk about telling his parents about failing his exams). | ||
| funk2 | (noun) 1 a musty, unpleasant odor. adj funky. | ||
| funk3 | (noun) a style of music with a jerky bassline, popular since the 1970s. | ||
| funnel | (noun) 1 a hollow cone used for pouring liquids into bottles, etc (use a plastic funnel to pour cooking oil into a bottle). 2 a passage by which smoke, etc, escapes (the funnel of a steamship). | ||
| funnies | (noun, plural) comic strips. | ||
| funny | (adjective) 1 amusing, humorous (a funny joke). 2 strange, odd (he’s a funny man—he doesn’t like chocolate). | ||
| funny bone | (noun) a place on the elbow that gives a strange, tingling sensation when it is hit. | ||
| funny car | (noun) a type of racing car with large rear tires and a one-piece body. | ||
| fur | (noun) 1 the short soft hair of certain animals (a cat’s fur). 2 the skin of an animal with the hair still attached, used as a garment (wear a stole made of silver fox fur). 3 a coating (e.g. on the tongue). | ||
| furbish | (verb) (fml) to polish, to make bright by rubbing (furbish the family silver). | ||
| furious | see fury. | ||
| furl | (verb) to roll up (a sail, flag, etc). | ||
| furlong | (noun) one-eighth of a mile (220 yards). | ||
| furlough | (noun) (fml) permission to be absent from work for a certain time (obtain furlough from the army). | ||
| furnace | (noun) an enclosed place in which great heat can be produced by fire (a furnace for melting iron ore/a furnace that provides the office’s central heating). | ||
| furnish | (verb) 1 to provide what is necessary (furnish them with all the necessary information). 2 to put tables, chairs, beds, and other necessary articles in a house (furnish the house gradually). | ||
| furnishings | (noun, plural) the fittings in a house. | ||
| furniture | (noun) the articles (tables, chairs, etc) needed in a house or office. | ||
| furor | (noun), also furore (Br) great excitement, craze, frenzy (the furor of the fire drill). | ||
| furrier | (noun) someone who deals in furs. | ||
| furrow | (noun) 1 the trench cut in the earth by a plough. 2 a wrinkle (furrows in her brow). vb 1 to plough. 2 to wrinkle (furrowed her brow). | ||
| furry | (adjective) covered with fur (furry toy animals). | ||
| further | (adverb) 1 besides (he is hardworking—further, he is honest). 2 farther (unable to go any further without a rest). adj 1 more distant. 2 more (no further use). vb to help forward (furthering the cause of freedom). | ||
| furthermore | (adverb) besides, in addition (he is poor—furthermore he is homeless). | ||
| furthermost | (adjective) most distant (the furthermost point in the British Isles) (also furthest ). | ||
| furtive | (adjective) careful, done secretly (cast a furtive look around before letting herself into the house). | ||
| fury | (noun) rage, great anger (fly into a fury on discovering the damage to his property). adj furious . | ||
| fuse1 | (verb) 1 to melt by heat (lead fuses at a low temperature). 2 to melt together as a result of great heat (copper and tin fuse to form bronze). 3 (of an electrical appliance or circuit) to stop working or cause to stop working because of the melting of a fuse (fusing all the lights). 4 to join together (ideas that fused). n easily melted wire used to complete an electric current. | ||
| fuse2 | (noun) a tube of slow-burning substance used to explode shells, bombs, dynamite, etc (light the fuse). | ||
| fuselage | (noun) the body of an airplane. | ||
| fusible | (adjective) that can be fused or easily melted. | ||
| fusion | (noun) 1 act of melting (a metal formed by the fusion of two other metals). 2 a joining to make one (a literary work that is a fusion of several different styles). | ||
| fuss | (noun) anxiety or excitement over unimportant things. | ||
| fussy | (adjective) worrying over details, hard to please. | ||
| futile | (adjective) having no useful result (a futile searchfyoo-ti-li-tee/. | ||
| futon | (noun) a thin cushion placed on a frame that can be used as a bed or folded into a chair or couch. | ||
| future | (adjective) about to happen, coming (present and future projects). n the time to come (in the future we will take more care/the future of the factory is uncertain). | ||
| futuristic | (adjective) of or having to do with the future; so advanced in design, etc, as to seem from the future. | ||
| Futurology | study of future (see list of branches of science) | ||
| fuzz | (noun) a mass of fine, light hair or similar substance (apricots covered in fuzz). | ||
| fuzzy | (adjective) 1 covered in fuzz (toy fuzzy animals). 2 not clear, blurred (a fuzzy television picture). | ||
| FX | (abbreviation) for 1 foreign exchange. 2 (cinema) special effects. | ||
G
| G, g | 1 the seventh letter of the alphabet. 2 (mus) the fifth note of the scale of C major. | ||
| gab | (verb) (gabbed , gabbing ) (sl) to chatter or talk idly. n idle chat. gift of gab the ability to speak well or at length (it is important for salespeople to have the gift of the gab). | ||
| gable | (noun) the pointed top of the end wall of a building with a sloping roof. | ||
| gadget | (noun) a small useful tool or machine (labor-saving kitchen gadgets). | ||
| gag | (verb) (gagged , gagging ) to stop someone speaking by forcibly stopping the mouth (burglars gagging the bank workers). n 1 something put in the mouth to prevent speech (use a scarf as a gag). 2 a joke (comedians telling the same old gags). | ||
| gage | (verb), also gauge (Br) 1 to measure (instruments that gage the diameter of the wire). 2 to make an estimate of (gaging the strength of the wind from the movement of trees). 3 to make a judgment about, to judge (try to gage his likely reaction). n 1 a measuring-rod. 2 a measuring instrument. 3 the distance between the two rails of a railroad. 4 a help to guessing accurately (a reliable gage of his character). | ||
| gaggle | (noun) 1 a flock of geese. 2 a disorderly group of people (a gaggle of neighbors gossiping about the accident). | ||
| gaggle | Collective noun for comedians (A gaggle of comedians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gaggle | Collective noun for women (A gaggle of women) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gaily | see gay. | ||
| gain | (verb) 1 to obtain (gain an advantagegain speech). 3 to reduce the distance between oneself and someone or something (gain on the car in front). 4 (fml) to reach (gain the safety of her home). n profit, advantage. | ||
| gainful | (adjective) (fml) paid, profitable (gainful employment). | ||
| gait | (noun) manner of walking (walk with a rolling gait). | ||
| gala | (noun) a day or time of feasting and rejoicing (a miners’ gala). | ||
| galaxy | (noun) 1 a belt of stars stretching across the sky (e.g. the Milky Way). 2 a company of well-known, impressive, etc, people (a galaxy of stars at the movie premiere). | ||
| galaxy | Collective noun for astronomers (A galaxy of astronomers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| galaxy | Collective noun for governesses (A galaxy of governesses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| galaxy | Collective noun for starfish (A galaxy of starfish) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| galaxy | Collective noun for starlets (A galaxy of starlets) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| galaxy | Collective noun for stars (A galaxy of stars) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gale | (noun) a strong wind (ships wrecked in the gale). | ||
| Galeophobia | fear of cats (see list of phobias) | ||
| Galileo Galilei | Italian mathematician, inventor and astronomer | ||
| Galiophobia | fear France or French culture (see list of phobias) | ||
| gallant | (adjective) (fml) brave, noble (a gallant soldier). adv gallantly (especially old) polite and attentive to women. | ||
| galleon | (noun) (old) a large sailing ship with several decks, as used by the Spaniards in the 15th and 16th centuries. | ||
| gallery | (noun) 1 a raised floor over part of a church or theater (a good view of the stage from the front row of the gallery). 2 a narrow passage in a mine. 3 a room in which pictures, etc, are displayed (an exhibition of modern art at the local gallery). | ||
| galley | (noun) 1 (old) a long low ship with sails and oars. 2 a ship’s kitchen. | ||
| gallimaufry | Collective noun for noises (A gallimaufry of noises) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gallon | (noun) in the imperial system, a measure for liquids or grain (= 4 quarts, 3.785 liters, or 231 cubic inches). | ||
| gallop | (noun) a horse’s fastest speed. vb 1 to go at a gallop (racehorses galloping to the finish). 2 (inf) to move or do very quickly (children galloping through their homework so that they can watch TV). | ||
| Gallophobia | fear France or French culture (see list of phobias) | ||
| gallows | (noun) or npl a wooden frame for hanging criminals. | ||
| galore | (adjective) in plenty (bargains galore at the sales). | ||
| galoshes | (noun, plural) overshoes, usually of rubber, which protect the shoes in wet weather. | ||
| galvanize | (verb), also galvanise (Br) 1 to give an electric shock. 2 to put on a coat of metal by electricity, to electroplate. 3 to rouse to activity (galvanized into action under threat of losing his job). | ||
| gamble | (verb) 1 to play for money, to bet. 2 to take risks (the burglars gambled on there being no one in the house). n a risk. n gambler . n gambling . | ||
| gambol | (verb) to jump about playfully. Also n. | ||
| game1 | (noun) 1 a sporting contest (interested in games such as football and hockey). 2 a single part of a set into which a game is divided (lose a game at tennis). 3 an amusement or diversion, a pastime (it was just a game—not to be taken seriously). 4 (inf) a scheme, a trick (wonder what his little game is). 5 birds or animals hunted for sport (shoot game such as pheasants). adj 1 brave, plucky (game enough to go on playing after being injured). 2 willing, ready (if you want to go to the movies, I’m game). vb to gamble (to make money gaming). make game of (fml) to make fun of, mock (make game of him for being small). | ||
| game2 | (adjective) lame, injured (his game leg). | ||
| gaming | (noun) 1 gambling (lose a fortune on gaming). 2 the playing of computer games. | ||
| Gamophobia | fear of marriage (see list of phobias) | ||
| gamut | Collective noun for professions (A gamut of professions) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gander | (noun) a male goose. | ||
| gang | (noun) 1 a group of people, especially friends. 2 a group of people working on the same job (the gang working on the new road). 3 a group of criminals working together (the gang that held up the bank). | ||
| gang | Collective noun for bison (A gang of bison) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gang | Collective noun for convicts (A gang of convicts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gang | Collective noun for laborers (A gang of laborers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gang | Collective noun for thieves (A gang of thieves) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gangrene | (noun) the rotting away of a part of the body (had his foot amputated because of gangrene). adj gangrenous . | ||
| gangster | (noun) a member of an organized gang of criminals (local store-owners terrorized by gangsters threatening to rob them). | ||
| gangway | (noun) 1 a movable footbridge from a ship to the shore. 2 a passage between rows of seats (the gangway in a theater). | ||
| gap | (noun) 1 an opening (a gap in the fence). 2 a space between (bridge the gap between the banks). 3 something missing (the gap in his knowledge). | ||
| gape | (verb) 1 to stare open-mouthed (stand gaping at the piles of gold). 2 to be wide open (the entrance to the cellar gaped open). | ||
| garage | (noun) 1 a building in which an automobile can be kept (a garage attached to the house). 2 a shop where automobiles are repaired. | ||
| garb | (old) n dress, clothes. vb to clothe (garbed in silk). | ||
| garbage | (noun) 1 waste food (household garbage). 2 (inf) nonsense, anything of little value (newspaper reporting that was nothing but garbage). | ||
| garbled | (adjective) mixed up and muddled (a garbled account of the accident). | ||
| Garbology | study of garbage (see list of branches of science) | ||
| garden | (noun) a piece of land on which flowers or vegetables are grown. vb to look after a garden, often as a hobby (try to find time to garden). n gardener . n gardening . | ||
| gargle | (verb) to wash the throat with a mouthful of liquid by blowing it up and down in the back of the mouth. n a liquid prepared for gargling. | ||
| gargoyle | (noun) a grotesquely carved spout in the form of a person’s or animal’s head, for carrying away water from a roof gutter (a cathedral with gargoyles). | ||
| garish | (adjective) flashy, unpleasantly bright (garish colors). | ||
| garland | (noun) a wreath of flowers (wear a garland round her neck). vb to decorate with a garland. | ||
| garlic | (noun) a plant with a strong-smelling bulb used in cookery (chop up cloves of garlic). | ||
| garment | (noun) (fml) any article of clothing (a store selling only ladies’ garments). | ||
| garnet | (noun) a red mineral, sometimes a precious stone. | ||
| garnish | (verb) to decorate (garnish the food). | ||
| garrison | (noun) the soldiers sent to a place to defend it. | ||
| garter | (noun) 1 a band of elastic to hold up a stocking. 2 a strap hanging from a kind of belt or corset to hold up a stocking. | ||
| gas | (noun) 1 matter in the form of an air-like vapor. 2 any of various gases or mixtures of gases used as fuel (natural gasga-shus/. | ||
| gas mask | (noun) a mask that enables one to breathe when surrounded by poisonous gas (gas masks were issued in both World Wars). | ||
| gash | (noun) a wide, deep wound or cut (the gash on her arm needed ten stitches). vb to cut deeply (he gashed his thumb with a carving knife). | ||
| gasoline | (noun) a liquid obtained from a mixture of gas and petroleum, used as a fuel for motor vehicles. | ||
| gasp | (verb) 1 to breathe with difficulty, to pant (he was gasping for breath after the race). 2 to draw in the breath suddenly through the mouth (gasp in horror at the sight). n the act or sound of gasping (his dying gasp/a gasp of horror) | ||
| gassy | (adjective) full of gas, fizzy (gassy drinks). | ||
| gastric | (adjective) having to do with the stomach (a gastric complaint). | ||
| Gastroenterology | study of the digestive system (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Gastronomy | study of fine dining (see list of branches of science) | ||
| gastronomy | (noun) the art of good eating. adj gastronomic , gastronomical . | ||
| gate | (noun) 1 a movable frame of wood, iron, etc, to close an opening in a wall or fence (the garden gate). 2 an entrance or way out, especially in an airport (the boarding gate). 3 the number of people who pay to see a game (expecting a large gate for the basketball game). 4 the total sum of money paid for entrance to a sports ground. | ||
| gateau | (noun) (pl gateaux or gateaus) a large cake, often filled and decorated with cream (a chocolate gateau for dessert). | ||
| gatecrash | (verb) to attend a party, etc, without an invitation. n gatecrasher . | ||
| gateway | (noun) 1 the opening closed by a gate (the gateway to the orchard). 2 the way or path to (the gateway to a successful career). | ||
| gather | (verb) 1 to bring or come together (a crowd gathered). 2 to collect, to pick (gather flowers). 3 to draw cloth together in small folds (gathered at the waist). 4 to come to the conclusion (we gather he is sick). n a fold in cloth held in position by thread (the dress had a full skirt with lots of gathers at the waist). | ||
| gathering | (noun) a meeting (a gathering of protesters against the new freeway). | ||
| Gatophobia | fear of cats (see list of phobias) | ||
| gaudy | (adjective) showy, flashy, too bright (gaudy colors). adv gaudily . n gaudiness . | ||
| gaunt | (adjective) very thin, haggard (the gaunt faces of starving people). | ||
| gauntlet | (noun) 1 (old) an iron glove worn as part of a suit of armor. 2 a type of glove covering the wrist (driving gauntlets). run the gauntlet to be criticized or attacked from all sides (have to run the gauntlet of a lot of newspaper articles on his private life). throw down the gauntlet to challenge (throw down the gauntlet and challenge him to a tennis match). | ||
| gauze | (noun) a light cloth that one can see through (bandages of gauze). adj gauzy . | ||
| gave | pt of give. | ||
| gawky , gawkish | (adjective) clumsy, awkward (gawky teenagers). | ||
| gay | (adjective) 1 lively, fond of enjoyment, cheerful (in a gay moodstreets gay with Christmas lights). 2 homosexual (especially of men). adv gaily . | ||
| gaze | (verb) to look hard at without looking away (gaze at him in disbelief/gazing into space). n a fixed look. | ||
| gaze | Collective noun for raccoons (A gaze of raccoons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gazelle | (noun) a small antelope. | ||
| gazette | (noun) a government news sheet containing official notices, appointments, etc. | ||
| gazetteer | (noun) a book listing places in alphabetical order and telling where they can be found on a map (a world gazetteer). | ||
| gear | (noun) 1 the set of tools, equipment, etc, used for a particular job, sport, expedition, etc (camping gear). 2 any arrangement of levers, toothed wheels, etc, that passes motion from one part of a machine to another (put the car into reverse gear). | ||
| geese | see goose. | ||
| gel | (noun) a smooth, soft substance resembling jelly, often used in products for the skin or hair (shower gel). | ||
| gelatin | (noun), also gelatine a jelly-like substance made from boiled-down bones, etc, used as a thickening agent in jellies, etc. | ||
| gelignite | (noun) a powerful explosive (the soldiers were told to blow up the bridge with gelignite). | ||
| Geliophobia | fear of laughter (see list of phobias) | ||
| Gelotophobia | fear of being laughed at (see list of phobias) | ||
| gem | (noun) 1 a precious stone. 2 anything or anyone that is thought to be especially good (the gem of his stamp collection/her mother is a gem). | ||
| Gemmology | study of gems and jewels (see list of branches of science) | ||
| gender | (noun) (gram) 1 a grouping of nouns roughly according to the sex (masculine, feminine, or neuter) of the things they name. 2 (of a person or animal) the state of being male or female (discriminated against on the grounds of gender). | ||
| Gender Studies | study of gender (see list of branches of science) | ||
| gene | (noun) any of the basic elements of heredity passed from parents to their offspring, that cause the offspring to have certain features that the parents have. | ||
| genealogist | (noun) one who studies genealogy. | ||
| Genealogy | study of descent of families (see list of branches of science) | ||
| genealogy | (noun) 1 the tracing of the history of a family to discover all its ancestors and branches. 2 a diagram showing this. adj genealogical . | ||
| genera | see genus. | ||
| general | (adjective) 1 including every one of a class or group (a general lowering of prices throughout the industry/wet weather that is general throughout the state). 2 not specialized (general knowledge). 3 common, usual, normal (the general procedure). 4 taken as a whole, overall (the invalid still has a weak arm but her general condition is good). 5 widespread, public (information that has become general). 6 without details (a general report). n 1 a high-ranking army officer. 2 the commander of an army. | ||
| generalize | (verb), also generalise (Br) 1 to work out from a few facts an idea that covers a great number of cases (you must not generalize from just two examples). 2 to talk in general terms without details (generalizing about educational problems). n generalization . | ||
| generally | (adverb) in most cases (generally it is hot in summer). | ||
| generate | (verb) to bring into life, to produce, to be the cause of (a meeting generating ideas). | ||
| generation | (noun) 1 the act of bringing into existence or producing (the generation of new ideas). 2 a single step in family descent (three generations at the old man’s birthday party). 3 people living at the same time (most of the people of her generation are dead). | ||
| generator | (noun) a machine for producing electricity, steam, etc. | ||
| generic | (adjective) being a member of a group or class (see genus). n (of a drug, etc) a product not patented or sold with a brand name. | ||
| generous | (adjective) 1 giving or given freely and gladly (generous hostsje-ne-ros-i-teeje-ne-rus-lee/. | ||
| Genesiology | study of reproduction and heredity (see list of branches of science) | ||
| genesis | (noun) (fml) beginning, origin. n Genesis the first book of the Christian Bible. | ||
| genetic | (adjective) of genes, of genetics. | ||
| genetically modified | adj denoting food derived from a plant, whose genetic material or structure has been altered by technological means to improve growth or inhibit disease. | ||
| Genetics | study of genes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| genetics | (noun) the science of breeding and family characteristics. | ||
| genial | (adjective) friendly in manner, cheerful (genial hostsjee-nee-a-li-teejee-nee-a-lee/. | ||
| Geniophobia | fear of chins (see list of phobias) | ||
| genital | (adjective) having to do with reproduction (genital organs). npl genitals , genitalia the genital organs. | ||
| genius | (noun) 1 extraordinary skill or ability (amazed at the genius of Emily Dickinson). 2 a person of extraordinary intelligence (Einstein was a genius). 3 (inf) a natural ability (a genius for offending people). | ||
| genome | n a full set of chromosomes. | ||
| Genophobia | fear of sexual intercourse (see list of phobias) | ||
| genteel | (adjective) over-refined in manners, affected (she always used a genteel voice on the telephone). | ||
| gentile | (adjective) non-Jewish. Also n. | ||
| gentility | (noun) the state of having good manners or being of good birth. | ||
| gentle | (adjective) 1 (old) well-born (people of gentle birth). 2 not rough or violent in manner, unwilling to hurt anyone (her gentle handling of the situationjen-tul-nessjent-lee/. | ||
| gentleman | (noun) (pl gentlemen ) 1 (old) a man of good birth. 2 a well-mannered and kindly man (he was a gentleman and rose to give the old lady his seat in the bus). | ||
| gentlemanly | (adjective) well-mannered. | ||
| gentry | (noun) people of good but not noble birth (landed gentry). | ||
| genuflect | (verb) (fml) to bend the knee in respect (courtiers genuflecting before the king). n genuflection . | ||
| genuine | (adjective) 1 true, real (a genuine Van Gogh painting). 2 sincere, without pretense or dishonesty (feel genuine concern for her situation). adv genuinely . n genuineness . | ||
| Genuphobia | fear of knees or the act of kneeling (see list of phobias) | ||
| genus | (noun) (pl genera ) a kind or class of animals, plants, etc, with certain characteristics in common. adj generic . | ||
| Geochemistry | study of chemistry of the earth's crust (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Geochronology | study of measuring geological time (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Geography | study of surface of the earth and its inhabitants (see list of branches of science) | ||
| geography | (noun) the study of the surface of the earth and its climate, peoples, cities, etc. n geographer . adj geographic , geographical . | ||
| Geology | study of the rocks of a planet (see list of branches of science) | ||
| geology | (noun) the study of the rocks, etc, forming the earth’s crust. n geologist . adj geological . | ||
| geometry | (noun) a branch of mathematics dealing with the measurement of lines, figures, and solids. adj geometric , geometrical . | ||
| Geomorphogeny | study of the origins of land forms (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Geoponics | study of agriculture (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Geotechnics | study of increasing habitability of the earth (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Gephydrophobia | fear of crossing bridges (see list of phobias) | ||
| Gephyrophobia | fear of crossing bridges (see list of phobias) | ||
| Gephysrophobia | fear of crossing bridges (see list of phobias) | ||
| geranium | (noun) a strongly scented plant, with red, pink, or white flowers. | ||
| Gerascophobia | fear of growing old or aging (see list of phobias) | ||
| Geratology | study of decadence and decay (see list of branches of science) | ||
| gerbil | (noun) a small rat-like rodent, often kept as a pet. | ||
| germ | (noun) 1 a tiny living cell that has the power to grow into a plant or animal. 2 the beginning of anything (the germ of an idea). 3 a disease-carrying microbe (a disinfectant claiming to kill all germs). | ||
| German | (adjective) of or relating to Germany. n the language spoken in Germany. | ||
| Germanophobia | fear of Germany or German culture. (see list of phobias) | ||
| germicide | (noun) a substance that kills germs. | ||
| germinate | (verb) to begin to grow (seeds germinating). | ||
| Gerocomy | study of old age (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Gerontology | study of the elderly and aging (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Gerontophobia | fear of old people or of growing old. (see list of phobias) | ||
| gestation | Collective noun for obstetricians (A gestation of obstetricians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gesticulate | (verb) to make meaningful signs with the hands, especially while speaking, usually for emphasis (gesticulating wildlyje-sti-cyu-lay-shun/. | ||
| gesture | (noun) 1 a movement of the hands, head, etc, to express feeling (with a gesture of despair). 2 an action showing one’s attitude or intentions (a gesture of friendship). vb to make a gesture. | ||
| get | (verb) (pt got , prp getting , pp gotten ) 1 to obtain (get money). 2 to reach (get there). 3 to become (get older). | ||
| Geumaphobia | fear of taste (see list of phobias) | ||
| Geumophobia | fear of taste (see list of phobias) | ||
| geyser | (noun) a hot water spring that shoots up into the air (geysers in Iceland). | ||
| ghastly | (adjective) 1 (fml or lit) deathly pale (his face ghastly with fear). 2 horrible, terrible (a ghastly murdera ghastly dress). 4 (inf) unwell, upset (feel ghastly after a drinking bout). n ghastliness . | ||
| gherkin | (noun) a small cucumber used for pickling. | ||
| ghetto | (noun) (pl ghettos , ghettoes ) a part of a city, often poor, in which a certain group of people, often immigrants, lives. | ||
| ghost | (noun) the spirit of a dead person appearing to one living. adj ghost-like , ghostly . n ghostliness . | ||
| ghoul | (noun) 1 a spirit said to prey on corpses. 2 a person who takes an unusually great interest in death, disaster, and other horrible things (ghouls at the scene of the fatal accident). adj ghoulish . | ||
| giant | (noun) 1 in fairy stories, a huge man (the giant in “Jack and the Beanstalk”). 2 a person of unusually great height and size (the giants in the basketball team). 3 a person of very great ability or importance (one of the political giants of the 19th century). f giantess . | ||
| gibberish | (noun) nonsense, meaningless words (talk gibberish). | ||
| gibbon | (noun) a type of ape. | ||
| gibe, jibe | (verb) to mock, to jeer at (gibe at their ragged clothes/jibing at his attempts to climb the tree). Also n. | ||
| giddy | (adjective) 1 dizzy (feel giddy at the top of the ladder). 2 changeable, not serious in character, fond of amusement (giddy young girls). n giddiness . | ||
| gift | (noun) 1 a present (Christmas gifts). 2 a natural ability to do something (a gift for public speaking). vb to give as a present (money gifted by alumni). | ||
| gifted | (adjective) having exceptional natural ability (gifted children). | ||
| gig | (noun) 1 (inf) a single booking for a jazz or pop band, etc; a single night’s performance. 2 (old) a light two-wheeled carriage. | ||
| gigantic | (adjective) huge, giant-like (a gigantic machine). | ||
| Gigantology | study of giants (see list of branches of science) | ||
| giggle | (verb) to laugh quietly, but in a silly way (children giggling at the practical joke). | ||
| giggle | Collective noun for girls (A giggle of girls) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gild | (verb) to cover with gold (a gilded statue). | ||
| gill1 | (noun) a quarter of a pint. | ||
| gill2 | (noun) the organ through which a fish breathes. | ||
| gilt | (adjective) covered with gold or gold paint (a gilt brooch). n the gold or imitation of gold used in gilding. | ||
| gimmick | (noun) an ingenious gadget or device to attract attention (a sales gimmick). | ||
| gin1 | (noun) a strong alcoholic drink flavored with juniper berries (gin and tonic). | ||
| gin2 | (noun) 1 a trap or snare (a rabbit caught in a gin). 2 a machine for separating cotton from its seeds. | ||
| ginger | (noun) 1 a hot-tasting root used as a spice (crystallized ginger/chop ginger for an Indian dish). adj of a reddish-yellow color (ginger hair). | ||
| gingerbread | (noun) treacle cake flavored with ginger. | ||
| gingerly | (adverb) carefully, cautiously (walk gingerly on the icy road). | ||
| gingham | (noun) a striped or checked cotton cloth (gingham tablecloths). | ||
| gipsy | (Br) see gypsy. | ||
| giraffe | (noun) an African animal with a very long neck and long legs. | ||
| girder | (noun) a heavy beam of iron or steel used to bridge an open space when building. | ||
| girdle | (noun) 1 a kind of belt. 2 (fml or lit) anything that surrounds (a girdle of green around the village). vb to surround as with a belt. | ||
| girl | (noun) 1 a female child (a baby girl). 2 a young woman. 3 a daughter (they have two boys and a girl). n girlhood . | ||
| Girl Scout | (noun) a member of an international youth organization for girls. | ||
| girlfriend | (noun) 1 a female friend (she is having lunch with her girlfriends). 2 a female romantic partner (he is out on a date with his girlfriend). | ||
| girlish | (adjective) like or of a girl (a girlish figure/girlish laughter). | ||
| girth | (noun) 1 the measurement around the waist (a man of enormous girth). 2 the distance around something cylindrical in shape (the girth of the tree). 3 a strap that holds the saddle in place on a horse’s back. | ||
| gist | (noun) the meaning, the most important part (follow the gist of what he was saying). | ||
| give | (verb) (pt gave , pp given ) 1 to make a present of (give him a book for his birthday). 2 to hand over to (give the money to the bank). 3 to allow (given a chance). 4 to utter (give a shout). 5 to produce (cows giving milk). 6 to organize, to hold (give a party). 7 to yield, bend, break, etc (the heavy door gave under pressure). n giver . give and take allowing some of another’s views to be correct. give away 1 to give as a gift. 2 to tell something secret (give away their hiding place). give ground to go backward (the army had to give ground). give in to admit defeat (after a long argument he gave in and admitted he was wrong). give out to report (give out the news of her death). give up 1 to leave to be taken by others (give up a seat to a pregnant woman). 2 to stop (give up eating meat). 3 to lose hope (so long unemployed that he has given up). give way 1 to stop in order to allow someone or something to pass (give way to traffic coming from the left). 2 to be replaced by (anger that gave way to fear). 3 to break and fall (a bridge that gave way). | ||
| glacial | (adjective) 1 of ice. 2 icy, very cold (glacial winds). 3 (fml) very cold in manner (a glacial stare). | ||
| glacier | (noun) a large slow-moving river of ice. | ||
| glacier | Collective noun for freezers (A glacier of freezers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Glaciology | study of ice ages and glaciation (see list of branches of science) | ||
| glad | (adjective) pleased, cheerful (glad for her success). adv gladly . n gladness . | ||
| gladden | (verb) to make glad (news that gladdened his heart). | ||
| glade | (noun) (fml) a clear space in a wood. | ||
| gladiator | (noun) in Ancient Rome, a man trained to fight with other men or wild animals for public entertainment. adj gladiatorial . | ||
| glamor | (noun), also glamour (Br) apparent charm and attractiveness that depends entirely on the outer appearance, dress, etc (the glamor of the movie stargla-mu-rus/. vb glamorize, also glamourize (Br), also glamourise (Br). | ||
| glance | (noun) a quick look (give a glance over her shoulder). vb 1 to look at for a moment (glance at the newspaper). 2 to hit the side of something and fly off in another direction (the bullet glanced off the wall). | ||
| gland | (noun) an organ in the body that produces certain fluids necessary to the health of the body (the thyroid gland). adj glandular . | ||
| glare | (noun) 1 a dazzling light (the glare of the car’s headlights). 2 an angry or fierce look (give her a glare for going before him in the queue). Also vb. | ||
| glaring | (adjective) 1 having a fierce look. 2 very obvious (a glaring error). adv glaringly . | ||
| glass | (noun) 1 hard, easily broken transparent material (a door made of glass). 2 a mirror (look in the glass/a looking glass). 3 a glass drinking vessel (a glass of milk). adj made of glass. | ||
| glasses | (noun) a pair of lenses set in a frame resting on the nose and ears, used to improve the wearer’s eyesight, or to protect the eyes from strong sunlight. | ||
| glaze | (verb) 1 to fit with glass (glaze the new windows). 2 to cover with a smooth shiny surface (glaze a cake with frosting/glazed fruit). 3 to become fixed or glassy-looking (eyes glazing over). n a smooth shiny surface (a glaze on the tiles). | ||
| glazier | (noun) one who fixes glass in windows. | ||
| gleam | (noun) 1 a small ray of light, especially one that disappears quickly (the gleam of a match in the darkness). 2 a temporary appearance of some quality (a faint gleam of humorpolished tables gleaming). 2 to be expressed with a sudden light, to be bright (eyes gleaming with excitement/excitement gleamed in her eyes). | ||
| glean | Collective noun for herrings (A glean of herrings) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| glee | (noun) pleasure, joy (full of glee at their victory). | ||
| gleeful | (adjective) joyful (gleeful at his enemy’s defeat). adv gleefully . | ||
| glen | (noun) (Scot) a narrow valley. | ||
| glib | (adjective) 1 quick to answer, able to find words easily, fluent (a glib salesperson). 2 spoken fluently and without hesitation (a glib reply). n glibness . | ||
| glide | (verb) to move smoothly or without effort (skiers gliding down the mountain). | ||
| glider | (noun) an aircraft with no engine. | ||
| glimmer | (verb) to burn low and unsteadily, to shine faintly (a candle glimmering at the end of the dark passage). n 1 a low and unsteady light (the glimmer from the candle) 2 a slight sign or amount (a glimmer of hope). | ||
| glimpse | (noun) a quick or passing view of (catch a glimpse of her in the crowd). vb to see for a moment only (glimpsing her red hat in the crowd). | ||
| glint | (verb) to flash, to sparkle (eyes glinting with anger). n 1 a brief flash of light. 2 a brief indication (glint of anger in her eyes). | ||
| glint | Collective noun for goldfish (A glint of goldfish) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| glisten | (verb) (especially of wet or polished surfaces) to shine, to give a bright, steady light, to sparkle (dew drops glistening on the grass/bodies glistening with sweat). Also n. | ||
| glitch | (noun) something that goes unexpectedly wrong, especially with computers (a computer glitch meant I could not save the file). | ||
| glitter | (verb) to sparkle, to give a bright, flickering light (stars glittering in the clear skygli-te-ree/. | ||
| glitter | Collective noun for generals (A glitter of generals) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gloat | (verb) to look at with greedy or evil enjoyment (gloat over her neighbor’s misfortune/a miser gloating over his gold). | ||
| global | (adjective) 1 affecting the whole world (a global issue like poverty). 2 relating to or including the whole of something (the industry is seeking a global pay settlement). adv globally . | ||
| global warming | (noun) a gradual increase in the world’s temperatures believed to be caused, in part at least, by the greenhouse effect. | ||
| globalization | (noun), also globalisation (Br) the process by which a business firm or organization begins to operate on an international basis (the globalization of the insurance industry). | ||
| globe | (noun) 1 a ball, a sphere. 2 anything ball-shaped (a new globe for the light). 3 the earth (from all parts of the globe). 4 a map of the earth printed on to a ball. | ||
| Globophobia | fear of balloons (see list of phobias) | ||
| globular | (adjective) ball-shaped. | ||
| globule | (noun) a drop, a very small ball (globules of wax from a candle). | ||
| gloom | (noun) 1 darkness. 2 sadness. | ||
| gloomy | (adjective) 1 dark, dim (gloomy corridors). 2 sad-looking, depressed (gloomy about the future/in a gloomy mood). | ||
| glorify | (verb) 1 to praise or worship (glorifying God). 2 to make seem better, more beautiful, more important, etc (a book that glorified war). n glorification . | ||
| glorifying | Collective noun for liars (A glorifying of liars) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| glorious | (adjective) 1 splendid, magnificent (a glorious summer’s dayglorious deeds). | ||
| glory | (noun) 1 honor, fame (win glory on the battlefield). 2 brightness, beauty, splendor (the glory of the sunset). 3 worship, adoration (glory to God). 4 a special cause for pride, respect, honor, etc (one of the glories of American justice). vb to take pride in, to rejoice (glorying in one’s freedom/gloried in her success). | ||
| gloss1 | (noun) a bright or shiny surface. vb to give a shine to. gloss over to try to make appear pleasing or satisfactory. | ||
| gloss2 | (noun) 1 a note written in the margin or between lines (a gloss explaining the word). 2 an explanation, interpretation (politicians putting different glosses on the situation). vb to provide with glosses, to annotate (expressions that need to be glossed). | ||
| glossary | (noun) a list of words with their meanings (a glossary of cooking terms in the recipe book). | ||
| Glossology | study of language; study of the tongue (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Glossophobia | fear of public speaking (see list of phobias) | ||
| glossy | (adjective) smooth and shining (she had very glossy hair). | ||
| glove | (noun) a covering of cloth or leather for the hand, each finger being separately covered (gloves wet from throwing snowballs). | ||
| glow | (verb) 1 to give out light and heat but no flame (coal glowing in the grate/a cigarette glowing in the dark). 2 to look or feel warm or red (cheeks glowing after exercise). n 1 a bright steady light (the glow of the furnace). 2 a warm look or feeling (a healthy glow after their walk). 3 a good feeling (feel a glow of satisfaction). | ||
| glower | (verb) to give an angry look (he glowered at the driver who had bumped his car). | ||
| glowing | (adjective) 1 full of praise (a glowing account of her work). 2 giving out heat (glowing coal). | ||
| glow-worm | (noun) an insect that sends out a light in the dark. | ||
| glucose | (noun) grape sugar, a natural sugar found in fruits and plants. | ||
| glue | (noun) a substance used for sticking things together. vb to stick with glue (gluing the pieces of the vase together/glued the newspaper cuttings in a scrapbook). | ||
| gluey | (adjective) sticky. | ||
| glum | (adjective) 1 sad, gloomy (everyone had a glum expression on their face). 2 downcast (feel glum about the future). | ||
| glut | (verb) (glutted , glutting ) 1 to fill too full, to supply with more than is needed (glut the market with cheap foreign goods). 2 to stuff, to gorge oneself (glutted with food). n too great an amount (a glut of soft fruit on the market). | ||
| glut | Collective noun for commercials (A glut of commercials) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gluten | (noun) a sticky protein found in wheat and some other cereal grains (allergic to gluten). | ||
| glutinous | (adjective) (fml) sticky (a glutinous substance). | ||
| glutton | (noun) 1 a person who eats too much. 2 (inf) a person who is always ready for more (a glutton for work). | ||
| gluttonous | (adjective) greedy, too fond of food. | ||
| gluttony | (noun) a fondness for eating a lot; love of food (disgusted by his gluttony). | ||
| glycerin | (noun) a colorless sweet liquid obtained from fats. | ||
| Glyptology | study of gem engravings (see list of branches of science) | ||
| GM | (abbreviation) for genetically modified. | ||
| gnarled | (adjective) twisted and having a rough surface (gnarled tree trunks/hands gnarled with age). | ||
| gnash | (verb) to strike the teeth together, to grind the teeth, often as a sign of emotion (gnash his teeth in rage). | ||
| gnat | (noun) a small biting insect. | ||
| gnaw | (verb) 1 to keep on biting so as to wear away gradually (dogs gnawing bones). 2 to cause continued distress to (guilt gnawing away at her). | ||
| gnome | (noun) in fairytales, a mischievous fairy supposed to live underground. | ||
| Gnosiology | study of knowledge; philosophy of knowledge (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Gnosiophobia | fear of knowledge (see list of phobias) | ||
| Gnotobiology | study of life in germ-free conditions (see list of branches of science) | ||
| gnu | (noun) a large African antelope. | ||
| go | (verb) (pt went , pp gone ) 1 to move (go backward). 2 to become (go mad/go white-haired with age). n going. go for to attack (the dog went for the postman). go hard with (fml) to turn out badly for (it went hard with our army in the battle). go in for to take interest in (she works hard and doesn’t go in for hobbies). go under to fail (hope that the firm does not go under). | ||
| go-ahead | (adjective) ready to try out new ideas (a go-ahead firm). n permission to proceed (get the go-ahead for the new road). | ||
| goal | (noun) 1 an aim, target, object of one’s efforts (his main goal in life). 2 in some games, the frame through which players try to pass the ball (the goalkeeper did a good job of guarding the goal in the hockey match). 3 a score at football, hockey, etc (the team that scored a goal). | ||
| goalkeeper | (noun) the player who defends a goal. | ||
| goat | (noun) an animal with horns, related to the sheep (goats have been used for their milk, meat, hair, and skins over much of the world). | ||
| goatee | (noun) a neat pointed beard on a man’s chin. | ||
| gobble | (verb) 1 to eat quickly (children gobbling down their food before going out to play). 2 to make a noise like a turkey. | ||
| go-between | (noun) one who arranges an agreement between two other parties (act as a go-between in the talks between the firms). | ||
| goblet | (noun) a drinking cup without a handle (silver wine goblets). | ||
| goblin | (noun) in fairytales, a mischievous fairy. | ||
| God | (noun) 1 in various religions, the creator of the world, the Supreme Being. 2 a man of superior charms or excellence. | ||
| god | (noun) any being worshiped for having more than supernatural powers (the Roman god of war). | ||
| goddess | (noun) 1 a female god (the Greek goddess of beauty). 2 a woman of superior charms or excellence. | ||
| godfather | (noun) a man who makes the promises for a child at a Christian baptism. f godmother . Also godchild, goddaughter, god-parent, godson. | ||
| God-fearing | (adjective) deeply religious (a god-fearing old man/a god-fearing people). | ||
| godless | (adjective) (fml) not believing in God; wicked (a godless people). | ||
| godlike | (adjective) 1 like God. 2 like a god (a godlike beauty). | ||
| godly | (adjective) religious, following God’s laws (a godly mangod-lee-ness/. | ||
| goggles | (noun, plural) a type of glasses, especially those worn to protect the eyes (machine operators wearing protective goggles). | ||
| go-kart | (noun) a small racing vehicle made of an open frame on four wheels with an engine (go-kart racing). | ||
| gold | (noun) 1 a precious metal (rings made of gold). 2 wealth, money (a miser counting his gold). 3 the color of gold (hair of gold). | ||
| golden | (adjective) 1 made of gold. 2 of the color of gold (golden sands/golden hair). 3 valuable (a golden opportunity). | ||
| goldfinch | (noun) a beautiful singing bird. | ||
| goldfish | (noun) a small red Chinese carp, often kept in an aquarium or pond. | ||
| goldsmith | (noun) a worker in gold. | ||
| golf | (noun) an outdoor game played with clubs and a hard ball (play a few rounds of golf). Also vb. n golfer . | ||
| gondola | (noun) 1 a long narrow boat used on the canals of Venice. 2 the car of an airship. | ||
| gondolier | (noun) a man who rows a gondola. | ||
| gone | pp of go. | ||
| gong | (noun) a flat metal plate that makes a ringing sound when struck (sound the gong for dinner). | ||
| good | (adjective) 1 right, morally acceptable, virtuous (a good deedgood eyesight). 3 pleasant, agreeable, welcome (good news/good to see some sunshine). 4 fit, competent (a good teacher). 5 well-behaved (tell the children to be good). 6 kindly (the good fairy in the story). 7 clever (good at math). 8 fit to be eaten (good fruit affected by the bad). 9 beneficial (food that is good for one). | ||
| Good Friday | (noun) the Friday before Easter on which Christians commemorate the crucifixion and death of Christ. | ||
| goodbye | (noun) and interj a farewell greeting. | ||
| good-looking | (adjective) handsome. | ||
| good-natured | (adjective) kindly (good-natured neighbors). | ||
| goodness | (noun) the quality of being good. | ||
| goods | (noun, plural) 1 movable property (stolen goods). 2 things for buying or selling (a range of electrical goods). | ||
| goodwill | (noun) 1 kindly feeling (full of goodwill even toward people who treat him badly). 2 the good name and popularity of a store or business (they took into consideration the goodwill of his business). | ||
| goose | (noun) (pl geese ) 1 a web-footed farmyard fowl. 2 (fml or old) a foolish person (she was a goose to believe them). | ||
| goose flesh | (noun), also goose bumps , goose pimples(noun, plural) a roughness or bumpiness of the skin due to cold or fear. | ||
| gooseberry | (noun) 1 a thorny shrub. 2 its edible berry. 3 an unwanted third person when two people, especially lovers, want to be alone. | ||
| gore1 | (verb) to wound with a tusk or horn (a farmhand gored by a bull). | ||
| gore2 | (noun) (fml or lit) blood from a dead or wounded person, especially when formed into solid lumps (a battlefield covered in goregoa-ree/. | ||
| gorge | (noun) 1 (old) the throat (a bone stuck in his gorge). 2 (found in place names) a deep narrow pass between hills (the Cheddar Gorge). make one’s gorge rise to sicken, to fill with disgust. vb to overeat, to eat greedily. | ||
| gorgeous | (adjective) 1 (inf) very beautiful and glamorous (gorgeous models). 2 splendid, magnificent, richly decorated or colored (walls covered with gorgeous tapestries/gorgeous silks and satins). 3 (inf) giving a lot of pleasure, marvelous (a gorgeous day). | ||
| gorilla | (noun) a large African ape. | ||
| goring | Collective noun for butchers (A goring of butchers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gory | see gore. | ||
| gosling | (noun) a young goose. | ||
| gospel | (noun) 1 the teaching of Jesus Christ. 2 in the Christian New Testament, the story of the life of Christ as written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. 3 any complete system of beliefs (spread the gospel of a healthy diet). 4 (inf) the truth (I thought his story was untrue but he swore that it was gospel). 5 religious music in a popular or folk style and African-American in origin. | ||
| gossamer | (noun) 1 cobweb-like threads floating in the air or resting on bushes. 2 any very light material (a wedding veil of gossamer). adj very light. | ||
| gossip | (noun) 1 one who likes to hear and spread news about the private affairs of others (the village gossips starting whispering in the post office). 2 idle talk (spread gossip about her). vb 1 to spread stories about others. 2 to talk idly or chatter, often about other people (neighbors gossiping over the fence). | ||
| got | pt, pp of get. | ||
| Gothic | (adjective) in the pointed-arch style of architecture common in the Middle Ages. | ||
| gotten | pp of get. | ||
| Gouda | (noun) a mild, round Dutch cheese. | ||
| gouge | (noun) a chisel with a curving blade for cutting grooves. vb 1 to make a groove or hole in (gouging holes in the paintwork). 2 to scoop out, to force out (gouge her eyes out as a torture). | ||
| gourd | (noun) 1 a large fleshy fruit (e.g. cucumber, melon). 2 the hollow skin of a gourd used as a bottle or cup. | ||
| gourmand | (noun) 1 (fml) a greedy eater, a glutton. 2 a person who likes good food, often to excess. | ||
| gourmet | (noun) a person who is a good judge of wines and food (a restaurant guide written by a gourmet). | ||
| gout | (noun) a disease causing painful swelling of the joints. | ||
| govern | (verb) 1 to control and direct the affairs of (a country governed by a dictator). 2 to control, to guide, to influence (price of goods governed to some extent by demand/a business policy governed by several factors). 3 to exercise restraint over, to control, to regulate (try to govern her temper). | ||
| governess | (noun) a woman who looks after and teaches children in their home. | ||
| government | (noun) 1 the act or way of ruling (a democratic system of government). 2 the group of people who direct the affairs of a country (ministers resigning from the government). adj governmental . | ||
| governor | (noun) 1 in the United States, a person who is elected as head of a state (the Governor of Texas). 2 a member of the committee of people who govern a school, hospital, etc (on the school’s board of governors). 3 (old) a person governing a province or colony (the former governor of Australia). | ||
| gown | (noun) 1 a woman’s dress, usually formal (an evening gown). 2 a long robe worn by members of clergy, teachers, lawyers, etc (students required to wear academic gowns to graduate). | ||
| grab | (verb) (grabbed , grabbing ) 1 to take hold of with a sudden quick movement (grab the child to prevent her being run overgrab her seat). 3 (inf) to affect, to influence, to find favor with (how does a trip to the movies grab you?). Also n. | ||
| grace | (noun) 1 the mercy or kindness associated with God. 2 a sense of what is right or decent (he finally had the grace to apologize). 3 a delay allowed as a favor (a few days’ grace to repay the loan). 4 beauty and effortlessness of movement (dance with grace). 5 a short prayer said at meal times. 6 a title of respect used to dukes, archbishops, etc (Your Grace). n 1 to honor (grace the dinner with her presence). 2 to adorn (flowers gracing the table). | ||
| graceful | (adjective) beautiful in appearance or movement (graceful dancers). adv gracefully . | ||
| gracious | (adjective) kind, pleasant, polite (our gracious hostess). adv graciously . | ||
| grade | (noun) 1 a placing in an order according to one’s merit, rank, performance, etc (grades achieved in exams). 2 rank (various grades in the army). vb 1 to arrange in grades (grade the wool according to quality/grading eggs according to size). 2 to assign a grade to (the teacher is grading papers). 3 to pass or change from one thing to another gradually (blues and reds grading into purple). | ||
| gradient | (noun) 1 a slope (the child tumbled down the steep gradient). 2 the steepness of a slope (the gradient of the hill/a gradient of 1 in 7). | ||
| gradual | (adjective) slow and steady, little by little (a gradual improvementgra-ju-wa-lee/. | ||
| graduate | (verb) 1 to receive an academic degree or diploma. 2 (fml) to divide into stages or equal spaces (a graduated tax system). n a person who holds an academic degree or diploma (a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania). adj relating to people who already hold one academic degree or diploma (a graduate student). | ||
| graduation | (noun) the receiving of an academic degree or dilpoma. | ||
| graffiti | (noun, plural) (sing graffito rare) writing or drawings, often humorous or rude, scribbled or sprayed unofficially or illegally on walls or other surfaces in public places (the subway walls are covered in graffiti). | ||
| graft1 | (verb) 1 to fix a piece cut from one plant on to another so that it grows into it. 2 to put skin cut from one part of the body on to another part (graft skin from his thigh to his arm after he was scalded). 3 to replace an organ or tissue of the body by one belonging to someone else; to transplant (they decided to graft a kidney from my brother to replace my damaged kidney). n the cutting or skin so grafted. | ||
| graft2 | (noun) (inf) 1 bribery and corruption (accused of graft by his political opponents). 2 wealth made by illegal use of office. 3 hard work (make money by sheer hard graft). | ||
| graham cracker | (noun) a cracker made with graham flour. | ||
| graham flour | (noun) wholewheat flour. | ||
| grain | (noun) 1 a seed of wheat, corn, etc. 2 corn in general (grain ground into flour). 3 a very small hard particle (a grain of salt). 4 a very small amount (she told me that there was not a grain of truth in it). 5 in the imperial system, the smallest measure of weight (1 pound = 7000 grains). 6 the pattern of markings in wood, leather, etc. vb to imitate the grain of wood when painting doors, etc. | ||
| gram | (noun) the basic unit of weight in the metric system. | ||
| Graminology | study of grasses (see list of branches of science) | ||
| grammar | (noun) the science of the correct use of language. n grammarian . | ||
| grammatical | (adjective) correct in grammar (a grammatical sentence). | ||
| Grammatology | study of systems of writing (see list of branches of science) | ||
| granary | (noun) a storehouse for grain. | ||
| grand | (adjective) 1 noble, magnificent, splendid (a very grand processiontoo grand to go out for a drink with his old colleagues). 3 (inf or dial) pleasant (a grand day). 4 wonderful, highly respected (a grand old man). 5 dignified (write in a grand style). | ||
| grand piano | (noun) a large piano in which the strings are horizontal. | ||
| grandeur | (noun) nobility, magnificence, splendidness. | ||
| grandfather | (noun) the father of one’s father or mother. f grandmother . Also grandchild, granddaughter, grandparent, grandson. | ||
| grandiose | (adjective) meant to be splendid, intended to be impressive (he has grandiose ideas but no money to carry them out). | ||
| grandiosity | Collective noun for operas (A grandiosity of operas) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| grandstand | (noun) rows of seats built on a rising slope to allow people a good view of a sports contest. vb to show off to the audience or onlookers. | ||
| granite | (noun) a hard rock (houses built of granite). | ||
| granny , grandma | (noun) (inf) a grandmother (a little girl asking for her granny). | ||
| grant | (verb) 1 to give, to agree to, to allow (grant him permission to go). 2 (fml) to admit as true (I grant that he is hardworking). n something allowed or given, especially money given for a certain purpose (they were delighted to receive a grant to build a new wing for the university library). | ||
| granular | (adjective) 1 of or like grains (granular substances like salt). 2 rough to the touch, rough in appearance (rather granular skin). | ||
| granulate | (verb) to break into grains or small pieces. adj granulated (granulated sugar). | ||
| granule | (noun) a small grain (granules of sugar). | ||
| grape | (noun) the fruit of the vine (wine made from grapes). | ||
| grapefruit | (noun) a large yellowish sharp-tasting citrus fruit (I like to have grapefruit for breakfast). | ||
| graph | (noun) a diagram in which different numbers, quantities, etc, are shown by dots which are then joined up by lines so that they can be easily compared (a graph showing the annual variations in sales). | ||
| Graphemics | study of systems of representing speech in writing (see list of branches of science) | ||
| graphic | (adjective) 1 so well told that the events, etc, can be seen in the mind’s eye (a graphic description of what was going on in the war zone). 2 drawn, concerned with drawing, painting, etc (the graphic arts). graphics npl information in the form of illustrations or diagrams (the graphics in the book make the text easier to understand). | ||
| graphite | (noun) a soft black form of carbon used in pencils. | ||
| Graphology | study of handwriting (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Graphophobia | fear of writing or handwriting (see list of phobias) | ||
| grapple | (verb) 1 to fight hand to hand, to take hold of and struggle with (grapple with the burglar who had entered his house). 2 to struggle with (grappling with math for the exam). | ||
| grasp | (verb) 1 to take firm hold of (grasp his hand in farewell). 2 to understand (unable to grasp the urgency of the situation). n 1 firm hold (shake his hand in a grasp). 2 reach (the job was within his grasp). 3 understanding (a good grasp of the subject). | ||
| grasping | (adjective) mean, always wanting more money (grasping moneylenders/grasping merchants overcharging customers). | ||
| grass | (noun) the common plant covering of the ground, usually green. adj grassy. | ||
| grasshopper | (noun) a small jumping insect. | ||
| grate1 | (noun) a metal frame in a fireplace for holding the fire (a fire burning steadily in the grate). | ||
| grate2 | (verb) 1 to break down by rubbing on something rough (grate cheese). 2 to make a harsh sound, as of metal rubbing on metal (chalk grating on a blackboard). 3 to annoy, to irritate (a voice that really grates on people). | ||
| grateful | (adjective) thankful (grateful for your helpgrate-fu-lee/. | ||
| grater | (noun) an instrument with a rough surface for breaking down to crumbs or powder (a cheese grater). | ||
| gratification | (noun) pleasure, satisfaction (a sense of gratification at finishing the job on time). | ||
| gratify | (verb) 1 to please, to delight (we were gratified to hear that they liked our present). 2 to satisfy (able to gratify her desire to go to the opera). | ||
| grating | (noun) a framework of metal bars. | ||
| gratitude | (noun) thankfulness (express his gratitude for their help/be filled with gratitude for her kindness). | ||
| gratitude | Collective noun for juniors (A gratitude of juniors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gratuitous | (adjective) 1 unasked-for, unwanted (gratuitous advice). 2 unnecessary, unjustified (scenes of gratuitous violence in the movie). | ||
| grave1 | (noun) the hole dug in the earth for a dead body. | ||
| grave2 | (adjective) serious, important (a matter of grave importance/wear a grave expression). | ||
| gravel | (noun) 1 small stones or pebbles (throw gravel at the bedroom window to wake her). 2 a mixture of small stones and sand used to make the surface of roads and paths (the child fell on the gravel). | ||
| gravestone | (noun) a memorial stone placed over a grave. | ||
| graveyard | (noun) a piece of land set aside for graves. | ||
| gravitate | (verb) 1 to move toward the center. 2 to move in a certain direction as if drawn there by some force (children gravitating toward the toy store). n gravitation . | ||
| gravity | (noun) 1 seriousness, importance (understand the gravity of the situation). 2 (fml) weight. 3 the force drawing bodies toward the center of a larger body, e.g. the earth (the force of gravity). | ||
| gravy | (noun) the juice got from meat when it is being cooked, often thickened and served as a sauce with the meat. | ||
| gray | (adjective), also grey (Br) 1 black mixed with white in color (a gray dress). 2 of the color of hair whitened by age (gray hair). Also n. | ||
| Gray | Collective noun for anatomists (A Gray of anatomists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| graze1 | (verb) 1 to touch or rub against lightly in passing (the car grazed the garage door). 2 to scrape along the surface. n 1 a passing touch. 2 a scraping of the skin (bandage the graze on the child’s knee). | ||
| graze2 | (verb) to eat growing grass, to feed on grass (cows grazing in the field). | ||
| grazing | (noun) land with grass suitable for feeding cattle (hire out the grazing to a neighboring farmer). | ||
| grease | (noun) 1 fat in a soft state (the grease from cooking bacon). 2 fatty or oily matter (use grease on his hair/lubricate the hinges with grease). vb to smear with grease. adj greasy. | ||
| great | (adjective) 1 large in amount, number, or size (a great crowd). 2 important (a great paintinggrate-leegrate-ness/. | ||
| great deal | Collective noun for used car salesmen (A great deal of used car salesmen) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| great-grandfather | (noun) the father of one of one’s grandparents. f great-grandmother . Also great-grandchild, great-grandparent, etc. | ||
| greed | (noun) 1 the desire to have more and more for oneself (the greed of the miser as he got more and more money). 2 love of eating (eat not from hunger but from greed). | ||
| greed | Collective noun for attorneys (A greed of attorneys) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| greedy | (adjective) always wanting more than one has (greedy misergree-di-leegree-dee-ness/. | ||
| green | (adjective) 1 the color of grass (a green dress). 2 fresh, not ripe (green bananas). 3 inexperienced (young workers so green that they believed his jokes). 4 concerned with the protection and conservation of the environment (the politicians were discussing green issues). n 1 green color (she always wears green). 2 a piece of ground covered with grass (the village green). 3 a person who is concerned with the protection and conservation of the environment (the greens). n greenness . npl greens green vegetables (e.g. cabbage) (children told to eat their greens). | ||
| greenery | (noun) green plants, foliage (arrange the flowers with some greenery). | ||
| greenhouse | (noun) a glasshouse for growing plants (grow tomatoes in a greenhouse). | ||
| greenhouse effect | (noun) an increase in the earth’s atmosphere of the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases that trap the heat of the sun and prevent it from escaping into space, thought to be a major cause of global warming. | ||
| greet | (verb) 1 to welcome (greet the guests at the front door). 2 to speak or send good wishes to someone (greeted his neighbors in the street). 3 to receive (greet the news with relief/the statement was greeted with disbelief). | ||
| greeting | (noun) 1 welcome (a few words of greeting to the guests). 2 (often pl) good wishes (send greetings to her parents). | ||
| gregarious | (adjective) 1 fond of company (too gregarious to live alone). 2 (fml) living in flocks or herds (gregarious animals). | ||
| grenade | (noun) a small bomb thrown by hand. | ||
| grew | pt of grow. | ||
| greyhound | (noun) a lean fast-running dog, used in dog-racing. | ||
| grid | (noun) 1 a framework of metal bars (a grid to keep cattle from leaving the field). 2 a gridiron. 3 a large number of electric wires, rail lines, roads, etc, crossing and going in different directions. 4 the division of a map into squares to make map-reading easier. | ||
| grid | Collective noun for electricians (A grid of electricians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| griddle | (noun) a flat iron plate for baking cakes, etc, on a fire or the top of a stove. | ||
| gridiron | (noun) 1 a framework of iron bars used for cooking meat over a fire (broil steaks over a gridiron). 2 a field for American football. | ||
| grief | (noun) great sorrow (their grief at their friend’s death). come to grief to fail, to suffer a misfortune (they’ll come to grief if they oppose his scheme). | ||
| grievance | (noun) a cause of complaint (workers giving management a list of grievances). | ||
| grieve | (verb) 1 to sorrow, to mourn (widows grieving for their dead husbands). 2 (fml) to cause sorrow (it grieved him to leave her). | ||
| grievous | (adjective) (fml) 1 causing pain or sorrow (grievous loss). 2 severe, serious (the man was arrested on a charge of grievous bodily harm). | ||
| grill | (noun) 1 a framework of metal bars used in cooking that directs heat downward for cooking meat, etc (cook the hamburgers on the grill). 2 food cooked on a grill (a mixed grill). 3 an informal restaurant or diner. 4 a grille. vb 1 to cook on a grill (grill the steak). 2 (inf) to question intensively (grilled by the police). | ||
| grille | (noun) a framework of metal bars fitted into a counter or door, or outside a window (bank clerks protected by a grille). | ||
| grim | (adjective) 1 angry-looking, unsmiling (looked grim when he heard the news). 2 unpleasant, depressing (the grim prospect of unemployment). 3 severe, harsh (a grim struggle for survival). 4 stubborn, determined (with grim determination). n grimness . | ||
| grimace | (verb) to twist the face to show one’s feelings (grimacing with disgust at the sight). Also n. | ||
| grime | (noun) dirt, filth (pollution has caused most of the grime on the city buildings). adj grimy . | ||
| grin | (verb) (grinned , grinning ) to smile widely in pleasure. Also n. | ||
| grind | (verb) (pt, pp ground ) 1 to rub or crush to powder or small pieces (grind the coffee/ground beef). 2 to sharpen by rubbing (grind the knives). 3 to press together noisily (grind his teeth). 4 (inf) to work hard (grind away at her studies). n hard and uninteresting work. | ||
| grinder | (noun) a person or thing that grinds (a coffee grinder). | ||
| grip | (verb) (gripped , gripping ) 1 to take a firm hold of, to hold very tightly (a child gripping his mother’s hand). 2 to seize the attention of (an audience gripped by the play). n a firm or tight hold (keeping a tight grip on his wallet). | ||
| grip | Collective noun for porters (A grip of porters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gripe | (verb) 1 (fml) to cause a sharp pain in the stomach. 2 (inf) to complain (always griping about something). n 1 a pain in the stomach. 2 (inf) a complaint. | ||
| grisly | (adjective) dreadful, frightening (the grisly sight of the headless corpse). | ||
| gristle | (noun) a tough elastic substance surrounding the joints of the bones (unable to eat the meat that was full of gristle). adj gristly . | ||
| grit | (noun) 1 grains of sand or dust (spread grit on icy roads). 2 courage, determination (it took grit to face up to the bullies). vb (gritted , gritting ) 1 to press (the teeth) tightly together. 2 to spread grit on (roads). adj gritty . | ||
| grits | (noun, plural) boiled grain eaten as a side dish. | ||
| grizzly | (adjective) streaked with gray; somewhat gray. | ||
| groan | (verb) to utter a low, deep sound expressing pain or anxiety (victims groaning with pain after the accident/groaned in despair). Also n. | ||
| groan | Collective noun for puns (A groan of puns) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| grocer | (noun) a person who sells dry and tinned foods, tea, sugar, household supplies, etc (prefer the grocer’s store to the supermarket). | ||
| grog | (noun) (old) a mixture of a strong alcoholic drink and cold water. | ||
| groggy | (adjective) not steady on the feet, weak (feeling groggy after the surgical procedure). | ||
| groin | (noun) the part of the body where the legs join the trunk (strain a muscle in the groin). | ||
| Gromatics | study of surveying (see list of branches of science) | ||
| groom | (noun) 1 a person who cares for horses (the grooms at the racing stables). 2 also short for bridegroom, a man who is being married (the bride and groom). | ||
| groomsman | (noun) a male friend or relative who accompanies the bridegroom at a wedding. | ||
| groove | (noun) a long narrow hollow, such as that made by a tool in wood (the groove in a record/the groove for a sliding door). vb to make a groove in. | ||
| grope | (verb) to feel with one’s hands for something unseen (groping for the light switch). | ||
| gross | (adjective) 1 fat and overfed (feel gross beside the slender models). 2 coarse, vulgar, impolite (gross behaviorgross profit). n 1 twelve dozen. 2 the whole. adv grossly . | ||
| gross | Collective noun for Germans (A gross of Germans) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| grossness | (noun) rudeness, vulgarity (the grossness of his behavior). | ||
| grotesque | (adjective) 1 strangely shaped, distorted, fantastic (grotesque masks). 2 ridiculously exaggerated, unreasonable, absurd, foolish (a grotesque distortion of the truth/look grotesque in clothes too young for them). | ||
| grotto | (noun) (pl grottoes ) a cave, often an artificial one in a park or store (Santa’s grotto). | ||
| ground1 | (noun) 1 the surface of the earth, land (dead birds falling to the groundgroundz/ 1 the tiny pieces of matter that sink to the bottom of a liquid (coffee grounds). 2 the land surrounding a large house, castle, etc (the large house had extensive grounds). | ||
| ground2 | (past tense) pp of grind. | ||
| grounding | (noun) knowledge of the elementary part of a subject (receive a good grounding in English grammar). | ||
| groundless | (adjective) without a reason (fears that proved groundless). | ||
| groundskeeper | (noun) the person in charge of maintaining a sports field. | ||
| groundwork | (noun) work that must be done well in the beginning if later work on the subject or task is to succeed (a book that required a great deal of groundwork in the form of research/lay the groundwork for talks between the heads of state). | ||
| group | (noun) 1 a number of persons or things taken together (a group of languagesor sing together (a pop group). vb to put or go into a group (group the books according to subject/group the children in the class according to ability). | ||
| grouse1 | (noun) (pl grouse) a small fowl hunted on the moors as game. | ||
| grouse2 | (verb) (inf) to grumble, to complain (grousing about the high prices). Also n. | ||
| grove | (noun) (fml) a small wood. | ||
| grovel | (verb) 1 to lie face downward in humility or fear (grovel before the emperor). 2 to humble oneself, to behave with humility (grovel to her parents for a loan). | ||
| grow | (verb) (pt grew , pp grown ) 1 to become bigger (children growing). 2 (of plants) to have life (plants that can grow in any soil). 3 to become (grow old). 4 to plant and rear (grow potatoes in the back garden). n growth . | ||
| growl | (verb) to utter a low harsh sound, as a dog when angry (growling at the children who were disturbing him). Also n. | ||
| grown-up | (noun) a fully grown person (children wishing to have dinner with the grown-ups). | ||
| growth | see grow. | ||
| grub | (verb) (grubbed , grubbing ) 1 to dig, to root out (grub out all the weeds). 2 to search for by digging (pigs grubbing around for food). 3 (inf) to search around for (reporters grubbing around for information). n 1 the form of an insect when it comes out of the egg. 2 (inf) food. | ||
| grubby | (adjective) dirty (children grubby after a day’s play/wash his grubby clothes). | ||
| grudge | (verb) 1 to be unwilling to give (grudging the money spent on traveling to work). 2 to be displeased by another’s success, to envy (grudge the actor his part in the play). n a deep feeling of ill-will, dislike, resentment, etc (bore a grudge against his brother for marrying his girlfriend). | ||
| gruel | (noun) (old) a light food made by boiling meal in water. | ||
| grueling | (adjective), also gruelling (Br) very difficult and tiring (a grueling climb up the mountain). | ||
| gruesome | (adjective) horrible, very unpleasant (a gruesome murder/the gruesome sight of rotting meat). | ||
| gruff | (adjective) 1 deep and rough (a gruff voice). 2 rough, angry-sounding (a gruff reply). | ||
| grumble | (verb) to complain, to express discontent (grumbling about being overworked). Also n. n grumbler . | ||
| grumble | Collective noun for pugs (A grumble of pugs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| grumpy | (adjective) (inf) cross, ill-tempered (feeling grumpy first thing in the morning). | ||
| grunt | (verb) to make a noise like a pig (he grunted that he was too busy to talk). Also n. | ||
| guarantee | (noun) 1 a promise to pay money on behalf of another person if that person fails to pay money he or she has promised to pay. 2 a person who undertakes to see that another keeps his or her promise, especially to repay money; a guarantor. 3 a promise, usually in the form of a written statement, that if an article bought is unsatisfactory, it will be repaired or replaced (a manufacturer’s guarantee). 4 a thing that makes something likely or certain (there’s no guarantee that we will have enough money). vb 1 to promise (guaranteed that he’d be there). 2 to undertake to see that a promise is kept (guaranteeing that the money will be repaid). | ||
| guarantor | (noun) one who hands over something as a guarantee and loses it if the promise is not kept. | ||
| guard | (verb) 1 to watch over, to protect (guard the children). 2 to defend against attack (guard the city from enemy attack). n 1 something that protects (a fire guard/guards to protect players’ shins). 2 a person, such as a soldier or prison officer, who watches over a person or place to prevent escape, attack, etc. 3 a group of persons whose duty it is to watch over and defend something or someone (the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace). 4 the official in charge of a train. 5 a position in which one can defend or protect oneself, a state of watchfulness (be on his guard walking through the unlit streets). | ||
| guarded | (adjective) careful, cautious (give a guarded reply). | ||
| guardian | (noun) 1 a person who has the legal duty to take care of a child (when her parents were killed her uncle was appointed her guardian). 2 (fml) a keeper (the guardian of the castle). | ||
| guava | (noun) a tropical tree or its fruit. | ||
| guerrilla, guerilla | (noun) a member of an unofficial small military group that makes sudden, unexpected attacks (the president and his staff were ambushed by guerrillas in the mountains/guerrilla warfare). | ||
| guess | (verb) 1 to put forward an opinion or solution without knowing the facts (I would guess that it is a distance of 20 miles/try to guess the weight of the cake). 2 (inf) to suppose, to consider likely (I guess you might know him). n an opinion or judgment that may be wrong as it is formed on insufficient knowledge (I think he’s about 60 but it’s just a guess). | ||
| guesswork | (noun) a number of connected guesses (reach the right answer by guesswork). | ||
| guest | (noun) 1 a visitor to a house (be rude to her mother’s guests/have guests for Christmas). 2 a person staying in a hotel (the small hotel has room for 20 guests). | ||
| guffaw | (verb) to laugh loudly or rudely (guffawed at his vulgar jokes). Also n. | ||
| guidance | (noun) help and advice (career guidance). | ||
| guide | (verb) 1 to lead to the place desired (guiding guests to their seats). 2 to show the way (guide them up the mountain). 3 to direct, to influence (be guided by one’s common sense). n 1 a person who shows the way (a mountain guide). 2 an adviser, a person who directs or influences one’s behavior (his father was also his guide and friend). 3 a guidebook (a guide to New York). 4 a person who leads people around a place, pointing out things of interest (a guide taking tourists around the castle). 5 a thing that helps one to form an opinion or make a calculation (sales as a guide to the firm’s financial situation). | ||
| guide dog | (noun) a dog trained to lead a blind person. | ||
| guidebook | (noun) a book describing a place and giving information about it. | ||
| guild | (noun) a group of people who meet for a particular purpose (formerly, the members of one trade) (the American Newspaper Guild). | ||
| guilder | (noun) formerly the currency unit of the Netherlands, until the introduction of the euro in 2002. | ||
| guile | (noun) (fml) deceit, trickery, cunning skill (used guile to gain access to the old lady’s house). adj guileful , guileless . | ||
| guillotine | (noun) 1 a machine formerly used in France for beheading people. 2 a machine for cutting paper. | ||
| guilt | (noun) 1 the fact of having done wrong, the fact of having committed a crime (the police established his guilt). 2 blame or responsibility for wrongdoing (where the guilt lies). 3 a sense of shame, uneasiness, etc, caused by the knowledge of having done wrong (unable to sleep because of feelings of guiltgilt-less/. | ||
| guilty | (adjective) 1 having done wrong, having broken a law (found guilty of the crime). 2 responsible for behavior that is morally wrong or socially unacceptable (a local authority guilty of spending too much money on hospitality). 3 feeling or showing a sense of guilt or shame (feel guilty about keeping them waiting). | ||
| guinea fowl | (noun) a large spotted edible bird. | ||
| guinea pig | (noun) 1 a small tailless rodent, often kept as a pet. 2 a person made use of for the purpose of an experiment (guinea pigs for their mother’s cookery experiments). | ||
| guise | (noun) 1 dress. 2 appearance (under the guise of friendship). | ||
| guitar | (noun) a six-stringed musical instrument. | ||
| gulch | (noun) a rocky valley. | ||
| gulf | (noun) 1 an inlet of the sea, a long bay. 2 a deep hollow. 3 an area of serious difference or separation (a gulf between brother and sister). | ||
| gull1 | (noun) a long-winged sea bird. | ||
| gull2 | (verb) (old) to cheat, to deceive (gulled into lending her money). n one who has been cheated, one easily deceived. | ||
| gullet | (noun) the food passage from the mouth to the stomach; the throat (she had a piece of food stuck in her gullet). | ||
| gullible | (adjective) easily deceived (so gullible that she believed him when he pretended to be Italian). | ||
| gully | (noun) a deep channel worn by running water. | ||
| gulp | (verb) 1 to eat quickly, to swallow in large mouthfuls (gulped his food down and rushed out). 2 to make a swallowing movement (gulped with fear as he saw the policeman). Also n. | ||
| gum tree | (noun) a tree from which gum is obtained. | ||
| gum1 | (noun) the flesh in which the teeth are set. | ||
| gum2 | (noun) 1 the sticky juice of trees. 2 a liquid used for sticking things together (children using gum to stick pieces of colored paper on cardboard). vb (gummed, gumming) to stick with gum (gum the cuttings into a scrapbook). | ||
| gumboil | (noun) a painful swelling on the gum. | ||
| gumboot | (noun) a rubber boot (she insisted on the children wearing gumboots to walk in the muddy fields). | ||
| gummy | (adjective) sticky. | ||
| gumption | (noun) common sense; good sense (not have the gumption to think for himself). | ||
| gun | (noun) any weapon that fires bullets or shells by means of explosive. vb (gunned , gunning ) to shoot or hunt with a gun. | ||
| gunboat | (noun) a small warship. | ||
| gundog | (noun) a dog trained to accompany hunters and to fetch game that has been shot. | ||
| gunfire | (noun) the sound of guns being fired. | ||
| gunmetal | (noun) 1 a mixture of copper and tin. 2 a dull-gray color (he bought a car the color of gunmetal). | ||
| gunner | (noun) a man trained to fire large guns. | ||
| gunpowder | (noun) a type of explosive. | ||
| gunrunning | (noun) taking guns into a country against its laws (terrorists involved in gunrunning). | ||
| gunshot | (noun) 1 the firing of a gun (heard gunshot the night his neighbor was murdered). 2 the distance a gun can fire (within gunshot). | ||
| gunsmith | (noun) a person who makes or repairs guns. | ||
| gurgle | (verb) 1 to flow with a bubbling sound (water gurgling from the taps). 2 to make a noise resembling this (babies gurgling in their prams). Also n. | ||
| guru | (noun) a spiritual leader or guide. | ||
| gush | (noun) a sudden or strong flow (a gush of water from the fauceta gush of enthusiasm). vb 1 to flow out strongly (water gushing from the faucets/blood gushing from the wound). 2 to talk as if one felt something very deeply; to speak insincerely (gushing about how grateful she was). | ||
| gush | Collective noun for sycophants (A gush of sycophants) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| gusset | (noun) a piece of cloth put into a garment to strengthen part of it. | ||
| gust | (noun) a sudden violent rush of wind (papers blown away by a gust of wind). | ||
| gusto | (noun) keen enjoyment, eagerness (eat the meal with gusto/play the piano with gusto). | ||
| gusty | (adjective) 1 windy (a gusty day). 2 in short violent bursts (a gusty wind). | ||
| gut | (noun) 1 a tube in the body that takes the waste matter from the stomach. 2 a strong cord used for violin strings, fishing lines, etc. vb (gutted , gutting ) 1 to take out the inner parts (gut the fish). 2 to remove or destroy all except the walls of a building (fire gutted the house). npl (inf) 1 the bowels, intestines (a bad pain in the guts). 2 bravery, courage (to have the guts to admit the truth). | ||
| gutter | (noun) 1 a passage at the edge of a roof or at the side of the road to carry away water (blocked gutters). 2 the lowest, poorest level of society (she was born in the gutter but became famous). vb to run down in drops, as wax on a candle. | ||
| guttural | (adjective) 1 having to do with the throat. 2 made or seeming to be made in the throat, harsh (a guttural accent). | ||
| guy1 | (noun) a rope to steady anything (e.g. a tent). | ||
| guy2 | (noun) 1 a man or boy (guys and girls). 2 (inf) a person (come on, you guys!). | ||
| guzzle | (verb) (inf) to eat or drink greedily (guzzling all the ice cream). | ||
| gym | (noun) a gymnasium. | ||
| gymkhana | (noun) a sports meeting for races, horse racing, horse jumping, etc (children riding ponies at the local gymkhana). | ||
| gymnasium | (noun) (pl gymnasia or gymnasiums ) a room or hall with equipment for physical exercise (the school gymnasium). | ||
| gymnast | (noun) a person who is skilled in gymnastics. adj gymnastic . | ||
| gymnastics | (noun, plural) exercises to develop the muscles of the body. | ||
| Gymnophobia | fear of nudity (see list of phobias) | ||
| Gynaecology | study of women's physiology (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Gynephobia | fear of women (see list of phobias) | ||
| Gynophobia | fear of women (see list of phobias) | ||
| gypsy | (noun) a member of a traveling people (a gypsy woman telling fortunes). | ||
| gyrate | (verb) 1 to move in circles (dancers gyrating to the music). 2 to spin round (a spinning top gyrating). n gyration . | ||
| gyroscope | (noun) an instrument that is sometimes used to keep ships, aircraft, etc, steady. | ||
| Gyrostatics | study of rotating bodies (see list of branches of science) | ||
H
| H, h | (noun) the eighth letter of the alphabet. | ||
| ha | (interjective) 1 a sound used to express surprise, wonder, triumph. 2 the sound of a laugh. | ||
| habit | (noun) 1 a fixed way of doing something without having to think about it; someone’s ordinary way of doing things; something that a person does regularly (he has a bad habit of biting his nailsthe monk’s habit was made of black cloth). | ||
| habitable | (adjective) that may be lived in (houses that are scarcely habitable). | ||
| habitat | (noun) the place or surroundings in which a plant or animal is usually found (the usual habitat of the bear). | ||
| habitation | (noun) 1 the act of living in a place (houses unfit for human habitation). 2 the place where a person lives. | ||
| habitual | (adjective) 1 usual. 2 having formed a certain habit (habitual runner). | ||
| habituate | (verb) (fml) to make used to (become habituated to a hot climate). | ||
| hacienda | (noun) a large estate, ranch, or plantation, the main dwelling on any of these. | ||
| hack1 | (verb) 1 to cut roughly or unevenly (hack meat into chunks/hack a path through the jungle). 2 to foul by striking an arm in basketball. n 1 a tool for cutting or hacking. 2 a dry, harsh cough. | ||
| hack2 | (noun) 1 a hired horse. 2 a person hired to do uninteresting written work (employed as a hack in the company). | ||
| hack3 | (noun) a rack for drying cheese or fish, or for holding food for cattle, etc. | ||
| hacker | (noun) 1 a person who hacks. 2 a highly skilled computer user who tries to access unauthorized files. | ||
| hacksaw | (noun) a saw for cutting metal. | ||
| had | (verb) past tense of have. | ||
| haddock | (noun) a sea fish of the cod family, used as food. | ||
| Hadephobia | fear of hell (see list of phobias) | ||
| Haemataulics | study of movement of blood through blood vessels (see list of branches of science) | ||
| haft | (noun) (fml or lit) a handle (the haft of a sword). | ||
| hag | (noun) 1 a female demon or evil spirit. 2 an ugly, often mean, old woman. | ||
| haggard | (adjective) pale, thin-faced, and tired looking (looking haggard after being up all night). | ||
| haggis | (noun) a Scottish dish in which the heart, liver and lungs of a sheep are minced, mixed with oatmeal and seasoning and boiled in a sheep’s stomach. | ||
| haggle | (verb) to try to get a seller to lower his or her price (in some countries customers are expected to haggle with merchants). | ||
| haggle | Collective noun for vendors (A haggle of vendors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Hagiology | study of saints (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hagiophobia | fear of saints or holy things (see list of phobias) | ||
| haiku | (noun) a Japanese poem of three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables, often about nature. | ||
| hail | Collective noun for gunfire (A hail of gunfire) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hail1 | (noun) 1 frozen rain. 2 a shower of anything (a hail of arrows). vb 1 to rain hail (it was hailing when we left). 2 to pour down. | ||
| hail2 | (verb) 1 to call to, to greet (she hailed her neighbor cheerfully). 2 to shout to a person to try to catch his or her attention (hail a taxi). interj a call of greeting. hail from to come from (he hails from the country). | ||
| hailstone | (noun) a pellet of hail. | ||
| hailstorm | (noun) a storm in which hail falls. | ||
| hailstorm | Collective noun for gunships (A hailstorm of gunships) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hair | (noun) any or all of the thread-like growths covering the skin of humans and animals (she had pretty long, dark hair). adj hairless , hairy . to split hairs to point out differences so slight that they could be overlooked. | ||
| hair spray | (noun) a liquid sprayed on the hair to hold it in place. | ||
| hairbrush | (noun) a brush for grooming the hair. | ||
| haircut | (noun) a cutting of the hair of the head or the style in which this is done. | ||
| hairdo | (noun) the style in which hair is arranged. | ||
| hairdresser | (noun) a person who cuts, styles, etc, hair as a job (an appointment with my hairdresser to get my hair washed, trimmed and blow-dried). | ||
| hairnet | (noun) a net cap for keeping the hair in place (kitchen workers wear hairnets to stop their hair falling into the food they are preparing). | ||
| hairpiece | (noun) a wig. | ||
| hairpin | (noun) a thin, double-pronged piece of wire for keeping the hair in place, or a headdress on. adj shaped like a hairpin (a hairpin bend). | ||
| hair-raising | (adjective) terrifying to such an extent that one’s hair stands on end (driving with him is hair-raising because he drives so fast). | ||
| hairstyle | (noun) a style of hairdressing, often one that is fashionable (she wanted a new hairstyle). | ||
| hairy | (adjective) covered with hair. | ||
| hajj | (noun) the religious trip to Mecca that every Muslim is expected to make at least once in a lifetime. | ||
| hajji or haji | (noun) the title given to a Muslim who has made a religious trip to Mecca. | ||
| hake | (noun) a fish like the cod, used as food. | ||
| halal | (noun) meat from an animal that has been killed according to Muslim law. Also adj. | ||
| halcyon | (noun) the kingfisher. adj calm, peaceful. halcyon days a time of happiness and peace (recall the halcyon days of her youth). | ||
| half | (noun) (pl halves ) one of two equal parts (she cut the apple and gave her sister half). Also adj. | ||
| half brother | (noun) a brother by one parent only (the two boys shared the same father but had a different mothers making them half brothers). | ||
| half pint | (noun) 1 in the imperial system, a unit of measure equaling 8 ounces. 2 (inf) a small person. | ||
| half sister | (noun) a sister by one parent only. | ||
| halfhearted | (adjective) lacking interest and energy, not eager (make a halfhearted attempt). | ||
| half-hour | (noun) 30 minutes. | ||
| half-moon | (noun) 1 the moon in its first or last quarter phase. 2 anything shaped like a half-moon or crescent. | ||
| half-note | (noun) in music, a note having one-half the duration of a semibreve (a whole note and the longest in common use). | ||
| halftime | (noun) the rest period between the halves of a football game, basketball game, etc. | ||
| halfway | (adjective) equally distant between two places. | ||
| halibut | (noun) a large flatfish, used as food. | ||
| Halieutics | study of fishing (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Halitophobia | fear of bad breath (see list of phobias) | ||
| hall | (noun) 1 a large public room (a concert hall/the town hall). 2 the room or passage at the entrance to a house, or between rooms (he waited in the hall). | ||
| hallelujah | (noun) an exclamation or song of praise to God. Also interj. | ||
| hallmark | (noun) any mark or symbol that shows the quality of a person, thing, etc (politeness is the hallmark of a gentleman). | ||
| hallow | (verb) 1 to make holy (the priest was asked to hallow the ground). 2 to treat as being holy. | ||
| hallowed | (adjective) sacred or holy. | ||
| Halloween | (noun) the eve of All Saints’ Day (i.e. October 31), now generally celebrated by dressing in costume for fun (ghosts are supposed to be seen on Halloween/trick-or-treating on Halloween). | ||
| hallucinate | (verb) to see something that is not there. | ||
| hallucination | (noun) 1 the seeing of something that is not there (hallucination can be the result of mental illness). 2 something imagined as though it is really there (he thought he saw a ghost but it was a hallucination). adj hallucinatory . | ||
| hallway | (noun) a passageway between the entrance and interior of the house. | ||
| halo | (noun) 1 a circle of light around the sun or the moon. 2 a colored ring or ring of light around the head of a holy person, e.g. in a painting (the saint painted with a halo). | ||
| halt1 | (verb) to stop (the guard halted the trainthe car halted). n a stop (trains coming to a halt). | ||
| halt2 | (verb) 1 (old) to limp (halting badly after the accident to his leg). 2 to hesitate (a reader halting over some difficult words). adj lame, limping. | ||
| halter | (noun) 1 a rope or strap fitted on to the head of a horse for leading it. 2 a rope for hanging a person. 3 a dress or top held up by a strap that goes round the wearer’s neck leaving the shoulders bare. | ||
| halve | (verb) to cut or break into halves (halve the apple/halving the cost). | ||
| halves | see half. | ||
| ham | (noun) 1 the back of the thigh (strain a ham muscle). 2 the thigh of a pig salted and dried and used as food (slices of baked ham). 3 (inf) an actor who exaggerates his or her actions and speech (Hamlet performed by a real ham). | ||
| Hamartiology | study of sin (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hamartophobia | fear of sinning (see list of phobias) | ||
| hambone | (noun) the bone of a ham. | ||
| hamburger | a flat round patty made of ground beef, fried or grilled, and usually eaten in a bun, also known as a burger . | ||
| hamlet | (noun) a very small village. | ||
| hammer | (noun) 1 a tool for pounding nails, beating metal, etc. 2 part of a machine or device that strikes (the hammers in a piano). vb 1 to drive or beat with a hammer (hammer the nail into the wall). 2 to strike hard (police hammering at the door). | ||
| hammer | Collective noun for auctioneers (A hammer of auctioneers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hammered | (adjective) shaped or marked by hammer blows. | ||
| hammerhead | (noun) 1 the part of the hammer that strikes its object. 2 any of a family of large sharks with large, mallet-shaped heads. | ||
| hammertoe | (noun) a condition in which the first joint of a toe is bent downward permanently. | ||
| hammock | (noun) a bed made of a strip of canvas or network hung up at the ends (she was lying in a hammock outside in the garden). | ||
| hamper1 | (noun) a large basket (a picnic hamper). | ||
| hamper2 | (verb) to prevent from moving freely (the broken tools hampered progress). | ||
| hamster | (noun) a small rodent with large cheek pouches, often kept as a pet. | ||
| hamstring | (noun) the tendon behind the knee (strain a hamstring playing football). vb (pt, pp hamstrung ) 1 to make lame by cutting the hamstring. 2 to prevent from acting freely (they were hamstrung by lack of money). | ||
| hand | (verb) to give with the hand (hand him the book). n 1 the end of the arm below the wrist. 2 a worker (a factory hand). 3 a sailor on a ship (all hands on deck!). 4 the cards given to one player in a card game (deal someone a good hand). 5 a person’s style of writing (write in a neat hand). 6 the pointer of a clock or watch (the minute hand). 7 a measure of 0.1 meters, used in measuring a horse’s height at the shoulder. 8 a share, a part, an influence (suspect he had a hand in the robbery). hand in glove with in league with (suspect that the house owner was hand in glove with the burglar to get insurance money). hand-to-hand at close quarters (hand-to-hand combat). hand-to-mouth with only just enough money to live on with nothing for the future (earns so little that the family lives hand-to-mouth). out of hand out of control (the party got out of hand and the police came). upper hand control (he had the upper hand in the tennis match). to wash one’s hands of to refuse to have anything more to do with (if you won’t take any notice of my advice I am washing my hands of you). | ||
| hand | Collective noun for bananas (A hand of bananas) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hand glass | (noun) 1 a magnifying glass. 2 a small mirror with a handle. | ||
| hand grenade | (noun) a small, round, hand-held bomb that is thrown at its target after pulling out a fuse. | ||
| hand puppet | (noun) a puppet that fits over the hand and is moved by the fingers. | ||
| handbag | (noun) a small bag that contains the owner’s possessions, usually carried by women; a purse. | ||
| handball | (noun) 1 a game in which a small ball is batted against a wall by hand by opposing players. 2 the ball used in this game. | ||
| handbarrow | (noun) a large tray with handles at either end, for carrying loads. | ||
| handbill | (noun) a small printed notice (handbills advertising the jumble sale). | ||
| handbook | (noun) a small useful book giving information or instructions (a handbook explaining the parts of the car). | ||
| handcart | (noun) a small cart, often with two wheels, pulled or pushed by hand. | ||
| handcraft | (verb) to make by hand with craftsmanship. | ||
| handcuff | (verb) to put handcuffs on (the police handcuffed the criminal). npl two metal rings joined by a chain, locked on the wrists of prisoners. | ||
| hand-feed | (verb) to feed by hand. | ||
| handful | (noun) 1 as much as can be held in one hand (children given a handful of nuts each). 2 a small number or amount (only a handful of people turned up). | ||
| handful | Collective noun for palm readers (A handful of palm readers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| handgun | (noun) any firearm that is held and fired while being held in only one hand. | ||
| hand-held | (adjective) small enough to be held in the hand while being used. | ||
| handhold | (noun) a secure grip or hold with the hand. | ||
| handicap | (verb) (handicapped , handicapping ) 1 in sports or races, to give a certain advantage to weaker competitors so that they have an equal chance of winning. 2 to obstruct, to put at a disadvantage (in the race she was handicapped by a knee injury/a firm handicapped by having too little capital). n 1 in sports or games, an arrangement that allows all competitors to start with an equal chance of winning. 2 an obstruction, a disadvantage (her lack of height is a handicap in basketball). 3 a physical or mental disability. | ||
| handicraft | (noun) skilled work done by hand. n handicraftsperson . | ||
| handily | (adverb) with no trouble, easily. | ||
| handiwork | (noun) 1 work done with a person’s hands (examples of the students’ handiwork on show in the classroom). 2 something done or caused by someone (they think the fire in the school was the handiwork of a former student). | ||
| handkerchief | (noun) a cloth for wiping the nose. | ||
| handknit | (adjective) knit by hand instead of by machine. | ||
| handle | (verb) 1 to feel, use, or hold with the hand (wash your hands before handling food). 2 to deal with (handle the situation well). n that part of a thing made to be held in the hand (the handle of the cup). | ||
| handlebar | (noun) the bent rod with which a person steers a bicycle. | ||
| handler | (noun) a person or thing that handles, trains, or manages (the handler led the dog in front of the judges). | ||
| handmade | (adjective) made by hand, not by machine. | ||
| hand-me-down | (noun) something that has been used and then passed along to someone else (she was tired of her sister’s hand-me-downs and wanted new clothes of her own). | ||
| handoff | (noun) in football, when the quarterback hands the ball directly to another player. | ||
| handout | (noun) 1 a gift of food, clothing, etc, as to a poor person. 2 a leaflet or printed notice handed out for information. | ||
| handpick | (verb) to pick by hand, to choose with care for a special purpose. | ||
| handprint | (noun) a mark made by a hand. | ||
| handrail | (noun) a rail used as a guard or support, as along a staircase. | ||
| handsaw | (noun) a hand-held saw. | ||
| handsel | (noun) a present for good luck. | ||
| handset | (noun) a telephone mouthpiece, receiver, and dial buttons in a single unit. | ||
| handshake | (noun) a gripping and shaking of each other’s hand in greeting. | ||
| handsome | (adjective) 1 good-looking (a handsome young man). 2 generous (a handsome gift). | ||
| handspring | (noun) a tumble in which a person turns over in midair with one or both hands touching the ground. | ||
| handstamp | (noun) a rubber stamp used by the post office. | ||
| handstand | (noun) the act of standing upside down on the hands. | ||
| handwriting | (noun) the way a person writes. | ||
| handwritten | (adjective) written by hand, with pen, pencil, etc. | ||
| handy | (adjective) 1 clever in using the hands, skillful (handy around the house). 2 useful and simple (a handy little gadget). 3 ready, available (keep a flashlight handy). 4 near (a house handy for the station). n handiness . | ||
| hang | (verb) 1 (pt, pp hung ) to fix one part to something above and allow the rest to drop (hang the picture from a hookwith hair hanging down her back). 4 (pt, pp hanged) to kill a criminal by putting a rope round the neck and then letting him or her drop suddenly so that the neck is broken. | ||
| hang gliding | (noun) the sport of gliding through the air while hanging from a large kite-like device. | ||
| hang time | (noun) 1 the length of time a kicked football remains in the air. 2 the length of time a jumping person stays in the air, as in basketball. | ||
| hangar | (noun) a large shelter in which airplanes are kept. | ||
| hanger | (noun) a thing from which a garment is hung (clothes on metal hangers/coat-hangers). | ||
| hanger-on | (noun) (pl hangers-on) a person who supports another in the hope of gaining some advantage (since she won the lottery she has been surrounded by hangers-on). | ||
| hangman | (noun) a person whose job it is to hang criminals. | ||
| hangnail | (noun) a bit of torn skin hanging at the side or base of a fingernail. | ||
| hangout | (noun) a place where a group of people go frequently. | ||
| hangover | (noun) the sick feeling a person gets from drinking too much alcohol. | ||
| hang-up | (noun) a problem or difficulty. | ||
| hank | (noun) a coil of thread or wool. | ||
| hanker | (verb) to want greatly, to long for (hankering for a chocolate bar). | ||
| hankie | (noun) a handkerchief. | ||
| hansom | (noun) (old) a two-wheeled carriage pulled by one horse. | ||
| Hanukkah | (noun) an 8-day Jewish festival taking place in November or December. | ||
| haphazard | (adjective) chance, unplanned (the town had developed in a haphazard wayhap-ha-zard-lee/. | ||
| Haphephobia | fear of being touched (see list of phobias) | ||
| hapless | (adjective) (fml) unfortunate, unlucky (the hapless victim). | ||
| happen | (verb) 1 to take place (a terrible thing happened). 2 to come about by chance (it happened that they arrived at the same time). | ||
| happening | (noun) an event (an unfortunate happening). | ||
| happy | (adjective) 1 lucky (by a happy chance). 2 pleased, joyous (she was happy to see him). 3 pleasant, joyful (a happy occasion). 4 suitable (a happy turn of phrase). n happines . | ||
| happy hour | (noun) a time when a bar sells its drinks at reduced prices. | ||
| happy-go-lucky | (adjective) not easily worried, carefree (too happy-go-lucky to worry about the future). | ||
| Haptephobia | fear of being touched (see list of phobias) | ||
| harangue | (noun) a loud speech. vb to speak loudly and forcefully (the manager was always haranguing the work force about the importance of being on time). | ||
| harass | (verb) 1 to attack again and again (troops harassing the enemy army). 2 to worry or disturb constantly or frequently (children harassing their mother for more pocket money). | ||
| harbor | (noun), also harbour (Br) 1 a place of safety for ships. 2 a place of shelter (they regarded his house as a harbor for criminals). vb 1 to give shelter (it is an offense to harbor criminals who are wanted by the police). 2 to keep in the mind (she harbors anger towards her family). | ||
| hard | (adjective) 1 firm, solid (a hard shell). 2 unfeeling, unkind, cruel (a hard mastera hard life). adv 1 with force (hit him hard/raining hard). 2 with great effort (work very hard). 3 close (follow hard on his heels). 4 with great attention (stare hard). hard of hearing fairly deaf. hard up (inf) having little money. | ||
| hard copy | (noun) a computer printout. | ||
| hard disk | (noun) a computer disk on which data and programs are stored. | ||
| hard drive | (noun) a computer drive for hard disks. | ||
| hardball | (noun) 1 a kind of baseball in which the ball is pitched overhanded. 2 the ball used in baseball. 3 any forceful, competitive form of politics, business, etc. | ||
| hardboard | (noun) a building material made by pressing and heating wood chips. | ||
| hard-boiled | (adjective) cooked in boiling water until it is solid throughout, as in eggs. | ||
| harden | (noun) to make hard or harder (leave the toffee to harden/harden a person’s heart). | ||
| hardily | (adverb) in a hardy manner. | ||
| hardiness | (noun) toughness, strength. | ||
| hardly | (adverb) 1 almost not (we hardly ever see her). 2 only just, not really (I hardly know him). 3 with difficulty (she could hardly hear him). | ||
| hardness | (noun) the state of being hard (the hardness of the plastic). | ||
| hardship | (noun) poor or difficult conditions (poor people enduring hardship). | ||
| hardtop | (noun) a car, truck, etc, with a permanent roof made of hard material. | ||
| hardware | (noun) 1 household articles and tools made of metal (a shop selling hardware). 2 the mechanical and electronic parts of a computer system. | ||
| hard-wired | (adjective) directly connected to a computer. | ||
| hardwood | (noun) any tough, heavy timber with a compact grain. | ||
| hardy | (adjective) 1 strong, tough (have to be hardy to work such long hours out in the winter cold). 2 (old) bold (hardy warriors). | ||
| hare | (noun) a fast-running animal with rabbit-like ears and long hind legs. hare and hounds a game in which some people (the hounds) chase others (the hares) across country by following a trail of paper scattered by them. | ||
| harebell | (noun) a bluebell-shaped flower. | ||
| harebrained | (adjective) thoughtless, careless, hasty (a harebrained scheme/it was harebrained of her to leave her job). | ||
| harelip | (noun) an upper lip divided in the center, like that of the hare. | ||
| harem | Collective noun for concubines (A harem of concubines) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| harem | Collective noun for courtesans (A harem of courtesans) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| haricot | (noun) a type of French bean. | ||
| harm | (noun) hurt, damage, wrong (do his reputation harmharm-foolharm-less/. | ||
| harmonic | (adjective) having to do with harmony. | ||
| harmonica | (noun) a mouth organ played to make music. | ||
| Harmonics | study of musical acoustics (see list of branches of science) | ||
| harmonics | (noun) the study of harmony in music. | ||
| harmonious | (adjective) 1 pleasant-sounding (harmonious sounds). 2 friendly (a harmonious atmosphere/relations between them are not harmonious). 3 pleasant to the eye (a harmonious group of colors). | ||
| harmonium | (noun) a musical wind instrument, like a small organ. | ||
| harmonize | (verb), also harmonise (Br) 1 to cause to be in harmony or agreement, to be in harmony or agreement (colors that do not really harmonize). 2 to play or sing notes that sound pleasantly with others. | ||
| harmony | (noun) 1 agreement, friendship (they used to be enemies but they now live in harmony). 2 the pleasant effect made by parts combining into a whole (the harmony of colors in the flower garden). 3 the playing at one time of musical notes that are pleasant when sounded together. 4 pleasant sound. | ||
| harness | (noun) the straps, etc, by which a horse is fastened to its load. vb to put a harness on. to die in harness to die while still doing a job (he did not retire—he died in harness). | ||
| harp | (noun) a stringed musical instrument played by the fingers. n harpist. harp on to keep on talking about one subject (I wish he would stop harping on about his unhappy childhood). | ||
| Harpaxophobia | fear of being robbed (see list of phobias) | ||
| harpoon | (noun) a long spear used in hunting whales. vb to strike with a harpoon. | ||
| harpsichord | (noun) a string instrument played by striking keys (as a piano). | ||
| harpy | (noun) 1 in Greek legend, a monster with the head and upper body of a woman and the lower body of a bird. 2 a cruel or nasty woman. | ||
| harrowing | (adjective) very distressing (seeing her father die in the accident was a harrowing experience for her). | ||
| harsh | (adjective) 1 rough and unpleasant to hear, see, etc (a harsh voicea harsh attitude). | ||
| hart | (noun) a stag or male deer. | ||
| harvest | (noun) 1 the time when the ripe crops are cut and gathered (take on extra staff for the harvest). 2 the crops so gathered. vb to cut and gather (harvesting grapes). n harvester. | ||
| has | a form of the verb have used with “he”, “she”, “it”, “one” or any singular noun. | ||
| has-been | (noun) a person or thing that was popular but is no longer so. | ||
| hash | (noun) 1 a dish of finely chopped or shredded meat. 2 (inf) something done badly, a mess (make a hash of the job). vb to finely chop or shred. | ||
| hash browns | (noun) potatoes that have been boiled, diced and shaped then fried in a pan. | ||
| hassle | Collective noun for errands (A hassle of errands) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hassle | (inf) vb to annoy someone, especially by repeatedly asking them to do something. n a difficult or troublesome situation (finding enough volunteers is a real hassle). | ||
| haste | (noun) speed, hurry (change the subject with haste/make haste). | ||
| hasten | (verb) (fml) to hurry (worry hastened his death/hasten home). | ||
| hastiness | Collective noun for cooks (A hastiness of cooks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hasty | adj 1 done in a hurry (eat a hasty meal). 2 done too quickly, rash (a hasty decision). 3 quick to lose one’s temper. | ||
| hat | (noun) a head covering. | ||
| hat trick | (noun) 1 the scoring of three goals in a game, such as soccer, ice hockey, etc (the soccer player scored a hat trick). 2 the act of achieving something three times. | ||
| hatch1 | (verb) 1 to produce (young) from eggs (hens hatching chicks). 2 to break out of the egg (chickens hatching). 3 to work out in secret (hatch a cunning plan). n the young hatched from eggs. | ||
| hatch2 | (noun) 1 an open space in a wall or roof or the deck of a ship. 2 the lower half of a split door. | ||
| hatch3 | (verb) to decorate (in drawing, stone-carving) with thin lines that cross each other. | ||
| hatchback | (noun) a car with a rear door or section that swings up to provide access to a storage area. | ||
| hatcheck | (adjective) of, for, or working in a room where a person can leave their hats, coats, etc. | ||
| hatchet | (noun) a small ax. bury the hatchet to end a quarrel (they did not speak for years but they’ve now buried the hatchet). | ||
| hatchling | (noun) a recently hatched bird, fish, turtle, etc. | ||
| hatchway | (noun) 1 an opening in the ship’s deck through which cargo is loaded. 2 a similar opening in the floor or roof of a building. | ||
| hate | (verb) to dislike greatly (hating his job/hate her sister). n great dislike (full of hate for his rival). | ||
| hate crime | (noun) a crime against a person that has been committed because of race, religion, gender, etc. | ||
| hateful | (adjective) deserving or causing hate (a hateful job/a hateful person). | ||
| hatred | (noun) great dislike (look at his rival with hatred). | ||
| hatter | (noun) one who makes, sells, or cleans hats. | ||
| haughty | (adjective) proud, behaving as if better than others (a haughty young womanhaw-tee-ness/. | ||
| haul | (verb) to pull by force, to drag (haul the fishing nets up/hauling the felled trees from the forest). n 1 a pull (give the rope a haul). 2 an amount taken or caught (e.g. of fish). | ||
| haunch | (noun) the thick part of the body around the hips (squat on his haunches). | ||
| haunt | (verb) 1 to visit again and again, to go often to (haunt the local movie theater). 2 to visit as a ghost (supposedly haunted by a gray lady). 3 to be always in the thoughts of someone (she was haunted by thoughts of his wretched appearance). n a place often visited. n and adj haunting . | ||
| haunted | (adjective) visited by ghosts (a haunted house). | ||
| haunting | (adjective) often recurring in the mind, not easily forgotten (a haunting song). | ||
| have | (verb) (pt, pp had ; indicative I have, he has; we, they have) 1 to possess, to own, to hold (he has a fast car/I have a book). 2 to be forced (to do) (he has to leave tomorrow). to have to do with to be concerned in (he has nothing to do with the school). | ||
| haven | (noun) 1 (old) a harbor. 2 (fml) a place of safety, a shelter (the shelter is a haven for the homeless). | ||
| haversack | (noun) a bag carried on the back, used for carrying food, etc, on a journey. | ||
| havoc | (noun) destruction, ruin (the storm created havoc in town/create havoc with our plans). | ||
| haw | (noun) the berry of the hawthorn. | ||
| hawk1 | (noun) a bird of prey. vb to hunt with a hawk. | ||
| hawk2 | (verb) to sell (peddlers hawking things to townspeople). n hawker . | ||
| hawthorn | (noun) a thorny tree with white, pink, or red flowers and small berries. | ||
| hay | (noun) grass that has been cut and dried (give hay to the horses). | ||
| hay fever | (noun) an illness caused by an allergy to dust or pollen (sufferers from hay fever sneezing uncontrollably). | ||
| hayfield | (noun) a field of grass to be made into hay. | ||
| hayloft | (noun) a loft or upper story of a barn for storing hay. | ||
| hayride | (noun) a ride in a wagon partly filled with hay taken by a group for fun. | ||
| haystack | (noun) a large pile of hay. | ||
| haywire | (adjective) (inf) tangled up, mixed up, in a state of disorder (the computer system went haywire). | ||
| hazard | (noun) 1 risk (allow for driving hazards such as icy roads). 2 (fml) chance (a game of hazard). 3 a piece of rough ground or a sand trap on a golf course. vb 1 to risk (hazard his earnings on a bet). 2 to put in danger (hazarding their lives to save others). 3 to put forward (hazard a guess). | ||
| hazardous | (adjective) risky, dangerous (a hazardous journey). | ||
| haze | (noun) 1 a thin mist (an early morning haze over the fields). 2 vagueness of mind (in a haze about the future). | ||
| hazel | (noun) 1 a tree with edible nuts. 2 a greenish brown color (eyes of hazel). | ||
| hazelnut | (noun) the nut of a hazel tree. | ||
| hazy | (adjective) 1 misty (hazy weather). 2 not clear (only a hazy idea of what is involved). 3 doubtful (a bit hazy about what happened). n haziness . | ||
| H-bomb | (noun) hydrogen bomb, a very powerful weapon of mass destruction. | ||
| he | pron the man, boy, or male animal previously mentioned. | ||
| head | (noun) 1 the top part of the body. 2 a person’s mind (have a good head). 3 a chief person (the head of the department/the head teacher). 4 the top or front part (the head of the line). 5 a marker of a division in an essay or speech (a chapter divided into various heads). 6 the line of print at the top of a page of a book (the running heads at the top of each page. 7 the beginning of a stream. 8 a piece of high land jutting out into the sea. vb 1 to lead. 2 to be first (heading the field). 3 to direct (headed the firm). 4 to strike (a ball) with the head. adj 1 belonging to the head. 2 chief, principal (the head teacher). 3 at or coming from the front (head winds). | ||
| head | Collective noun for curlews (A head of curlews) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| head cold | (noun) a common cold resulting in a clogged or blocked nose and head. | ||
| head count | (noun) the act of counting people in a certain group. | ||
| head linesman | (noun) in football, the person who judges each play and measures the yardage afterward. | ||
| head wind | (noun) a wind blowing directly opposite to the direction a person is trying to go. | ||
| headache | (noun) pain in the head (suffer from headaches). | ||
| headband | (noun) a band worn around the head for decoration. | ||
| headdress | (noun) a covering for the head (the Native American’s headdress). | ||
| header | (noun) (inf) 1 a fall or dive forward (slip and take a header into the water). 2 the act of hitting a ball with the head. | ||
| headfirst | (adverb) with the head in front, headlong. | ||
| headhunter | (noun) 1 a member of certain cultures that remove the heads of enemies and keep them as trophies. 2 an agent whose job it is to find highly skilled people for employment. | ||
| heading | (noun) the words written at the top of a page or above a piece of writing (a chapter divided under various headings). | ||
| headland | (noun) a piece of high land jutting out into the sea. | ||
| headlight | (noun) a light at the front, especially of a car, truck, etc (see the headlights of an approaching car). | ||
| headline | (noun) the line in large print above a piece of news in a newspaper (have a look at the headlines). v 1 to give something a headline. 2 to be the leading performer (Tom Cruise headlined). | ||
| headliner | (noun) the leading performer (Tom Cruise was the headliner). | ||
| headlock | (noun) in wrestling, a hold in which one person’s head is held between the arm and the body of another. | ||
| headlong | (adverb) 1 hastily and rashly (rush headlong into one impossible job after another). 2 with the head first (fall headlong into the mud). adj 1 rash. 2 head-first (a headlong fall). | ||
| headmaster | (noun) the man who is head of a school. f headmistress . | ||
| headmost | (adjective) in the lead. | ||
| head-on | (adjective) and adv with the head or front being first (head-on collision). | ||
| headphone | (noun) a listening device made of small speakers held to the ears by a band. | ||
| headpiece | (noun) a covering for the head. | ||
| headquarters | (noun) the office of those who are in control or command (the firm’s headquarters are in New York). | ||
| headrest | (noun) a support for the head, as on a chair. | ||
| headroom | (noun) the space available above a person’s head. | ||
| headsail | (noun) any said forward of the mast. | ||
| headset | (noun) a headphone with a small microphone for two-way communication. | ||
| headship | (noun) the position of a leader or person of authority. | ||
| headshrinker | (noun) a headhunter who shrinks the heads of his victims. | ||
| headsman | (noun) (old) a person who cuts off the head of a guilty criminal. | ||
| headspring | (noun) a fountain, or source. | ||
| headstand | (noun) the act of standing upside down on the head, usually helped by the hands. | ||
| headstone | (noun) the stone placed over a dead person’s grave in his or her memory. | ||
| headstream | (noun) a stream forming the source of another, larger stream or river. | ||
| headstrong | (adjective) determined to have one’s own way (so headstrong that he refused to listen to anyone’s advice). | ||
| heads-up | (noun) a tip-off. | ||
| head-to-head | (adjective) and adv in direct confrontation. | ||
| headwaters | (noun) the beginnings of a large stream or river. | ||
| headway | (noun) advance, improvement (boats making little headway against the storm/he is not making much headway with his plans). | ||
| heady | (adjective) 1 excited (the heady feeling of success/heady with triumph). 2 strong, having a quick effect on the senses (a heady wine). | ||
| heal | (verb) to make or become well or healthy, to cure (a wound that would not heal/given ointment to heal the wound). | ||
| healer | (noun) one who heals or cures (a faith healer). | ||
| health | (noun) 1 the state of being well. 2 the state of being free from illness (in sickness and in health). | ||
| health club | (noun) a private club for exercise. | ||
| health spa | (noun) a place people go to exercise. | ||
| healthcare | (noun) the treatment of illness. | ||
| healthful | (adjective) (fml) causing good health. | ||
| healthy | (adjective) 1 having good health (a healthy young womana healthy diet). | ||
| heap | (noun) a number of things lying one on top of another (a heap of leavesheap the old newspapers together). | ||
| heap | Collective noun for ruins (A heap of ruins) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| heap | Collective noun for sand (A heap of sand) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| heap | Collective noun for trash (A heap of trash) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hear | (verb) (pt, pp heard ) 1 to perceive sounds by the ear. 2 to listen (wait and hear what they say). | ||
| hearer | (noun) a person or animal who listens. | ||
| hearing | (noun) 1 the power to hear sounds (have sharp hearing). 2 the distance at which a person can hear (they talked about him within his daughter’s hearing). 3 the examining of evidence by a judge. | ||
| hearing aid | (noun) a small, battery-powered device that helps a person to hear better. | ||
| hearing-impaired | (adjective) not able to hear properly. | ||
| hearsay | (noun) what people say though not perhaps the truth; gossip (no one knows why she left—it’s all hearsay). | ||
| hearse | (noun) a car or carriage for a coffin at a funeral. | ||
| heart | (noun) 1 the organ that keeps the blood flowing through the body (suffer from heart disease). 2 the central or most important part of anything (the heart of the forest/the heart of the town). 3 the center of a person’s thoughts and emotions (he knew in his heart that he was dying). 4 the cause of life in anything. 5 enthusiasm, determination (the heart went out of them when their leader died). 6 kindly feelings, especially love (he had given her his heart). 7 npl a suit of playing cards. 8 a thing shaped like a heart (a valentine with hearts in it). learn by heart to memorize. take to heart to feel deeply about (take her criticism to heart). | ||
| heart attack | (noun) a sudden, painful, sometimes fatal medical condition in which the heart stops working normally (he died of a heart attack). | ||
| heart failure | (noun) the failure of the heart to beat or to pump blood through the body. | ||
| heartache | (noun) sorrow (the heartache of losing a child). | ||
| heartbeat | (noun) the pulse of the heart pumping blood through the body. | ||
| heartbreak | (noun) sorrow, grief. adj heartbreaking . | ||
| heartbreaker | (noun) someone or something that causes heartbreak. | ||
| heartbroken | (adjective) overcome by sorrow or grief (heartbroken by his wife’s death). | ||
| heartburn | (noun) a burning feeling in the stomach, caused by indigestion. | ||
| hearten | (verb) to encourage, to cheer up (heartened by winning the first game). | ||
| heartfelt | (adjective) sincere (their heartfelt thanks). | ||
| hearth | (noun) 1 the floor of a fireplace. 2 the fireside (sit by the hearth). 3 the center of family life. | ||
| heartily | (adverb) sincerely, friendly, with zest (thank him heartily for his help). | ||
| heartland | (noun) a geographically central area having importance in politics, strategy, etc. | ||
| heartless | (adjective) having no kind feelings (heartless people/heartless remarks). | ||
| heart-rending | (adjective) causing great sorrow or grief (the heart-rending sobs of the child). | ||
| heartsease | (noun) 1 peace of mind. 2 the pansy. | ||
| heartsick | (adjective) (old) very sad or sorrowful. | ||
| heartstrings | (noun) deepest feelings. | ||
| heart-to-heart | (adjective) intimate. | ||
| heartwarming | (adjective) such as to cause a warm glow of good feelings. | ||
| heartwood | (noun) the hard, non-living, older wood at the center of a tree trunk. | ||
| hearty | (adjective) 1 cheerful, sometimes too cheerful (he annoys people by being so hearty first thing in the morning). 2 sincere (hearty thanks). 3 healthy. 4 large (a hearty breakfast). | ||
| heat | (noun) 1 hotness, warmth (the heat of the sunheat the soup). | ||
| heat exhaustion | (noun) a sickness consisting of dizziness, nausea, clammy skin, and low body temperature caused by loss of salt and water in the body, usually resulting from working too hard in a hot environment. | ||
| heat shield | (noun) any device protecting against heat, especially those fastened to a spacecraft. | ||
| heat wave | (noun) a long spell of hot weather (forbidden to use garden hoses during the heat wave). | ||
| heated | (adjective) 1 hot. 2 angry (a heated argument). | ||
| heater | (noun) a device for heating a room, car, water, etc. | ||
| heath | (noun) 1 a stretch of wasteland, especially in Britain, that is covered in low shrubs. 2 a low-growing evergreen shrub. | ||
| heathen | (noun) 1 a person who is not a Jew, Christian, or Muslim; someone who believes in more than one God. 2 a person who is not religious. Also adj. | ||
| heather | (noun) a low-growing shrub with purple or white flowers. | ||
| heatstroke | (noun) a serious failure of the body’s ability to regulate its heat, resulting in high fever, dry skin, collapse, and sometimes coma. | ||
| heave | (verb) 1 to lift, to raise with effort (heave the luggage into the car). 2 to move up and down regularly (shoulders heaving with laughter). 3 to pull hard (sailors heaving ropes). 4 to utter with effort (heave a sigh of relief). n 1 an upward throw. 2 a pull. heave to (of a ship) to stop moving. | ||
| heaven | (noun) 1 the sky. 2 the everlasting presence of God. 3 the dwelling place of the gods. 4 in some religions, the happiness enjoyed by good people after death (Christians believe that people go to heaven after death). | ||
| heavenly | (adjective) 1 having to do with heaven or the sky. 2 (inf) delightful (a heavenly dress/a heavenly performance). | ||
| heavy | (adjective) 1 having weight, of great weight (lead is a heavy metalheavy losses in the battle). 3 dull, dark, and cloudy (a heavy sky). 4 sleepy (children with heavy eyesa heavy book). 7 busy, full of activity (a heavy dayhe-vee-nesshe-vi-lee/. | ||
| heavy metal | (noun) 1 any metal that has a gravity greater than 5. 2 a form of rock music that features loud rhythms, guitar, and sometimes shouted lyrics. | ||
| heavy-duty | (adjective) strong and not easily damaged or worn out (heavy-duty boots). | ||
| heavy-handed | (adjective) 1 without a light touch. 2 cruel. | ||
| heavyweight | (noun) 1 a person or animal weighing much more than average. 2 an athlete, e.g. a boxer, who is in the heaviest weight division. | ||
| Hebrew | (noun) the language of the Jewish people. Also adj. | ||
| heckle | (verb) to put difficult questions to a public speaker (a politician heckled by his opponent’s supporters). n heckler . | ||
| hectare | (noun) a unit of measurement equal to 10,000 square meters or 2.471 acres. | ||
| hectic | (adjective) 1 feverish. 2 very active, busy. | ||
| hedge | (noun) 1 a fence of bushes, shrubs, etc (plant a hedge along the front of a garden). 2 means of defense or protection (as a hedge against inflation). vb 1 to surround with a hedge (hedge the yard). 2 to avoid giving a clear, direct answer (politicians hedging when asked questions). | ||
| hedge | Collective noun for bushes (A hedge of bushes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hedgehog | (noun) a small animal covered with prickles, that can roll itself into a ball. | ||
| hedgerow | (noun) a line of bushes, shrubs, etc, forming a hedge. | ||
| Hedonics | study of pleasure (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hedonophobia | fear of feeling pleasure (see list of phobias) | ||
| heed | (verb) to pay attention to, to notice (you should heed your parents’ advice). n care, attention (pay little heed to his work). adj heedful , heedless . | ||
| heel1 | (noun) 1 the back part of the foot (she had blisters on her heel). 2 the part of a shoe, etc, under the heel of the foot (shoes with high heels). vb 1 to strike with the heel (heeling the ball away). 2 to put a heel on (have the boots heeled). bring to heel to get control over (bring the rebels to heel). down at heel poorly or untidily dressed. take to one’s heels to run away (he took to his heels when he saw the police). | ||
| heel2 | (verb) to lean over to one side (boats heeling over in the storm). | ||
| hefty | (adjective) 1 rather heavy, big and strong (a hefty young woman). 2 large and heavy (a hefty load). 3 powerful (a hefty blow). 4 (inf) large, substantial (a hefty salary). n heft weight, heaviness, bulk. | ||
| heifer | (noun) a young cow. | ||
| height | (noun) 1 the distance from top to bottom (the height of the fence). 2 the state of being high (his height is an advantage in some games). 3 a high place (be afraid of heights). 4 a hill (scale the heights above the town). 5 the highest degree of something (the height of summer/the height of her acting career). | ||
| heighten | (verb) 1 to make higher (heighten the fence). 2 to increase. | ||
| Heimlich maneuver | (noun) a way of stopping a person from choking by which the user puts sudden, sharp pressure to the stomach area to force wind up through the windpipe so as to clear the blockage. | ||
| heinous | (adjective) very bad, wicked (a heinous crime). | ||
| heir | (noun) a person who receives property or a title after the death of the previous owner (the duke’s heir is his son). f heiress . | ||
| heirloom | (noun) a valuable object that has been the property of a family for many generations (her diamond pin is a family heirloom). | ||
| heist | (noun) a robbery. | ||
| Helcology | study of ulcers (see list of branches of science) | ||
| held | pt, pp of hold. | ||
| helicopter | (noun) a type of aircraft with propellers that enable it to go straight up or down (survivors rescued from the sea by helicopter). | ||
| Heliology | study of the sun (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Heliophobia | fear of the sun (see list of phobias) | ||
| Helioseismology | study of sun's interior by observing its surface oscillations (see list of branches of science) | ||
| helium | (noun) a very light gas. | ||
| helix | Collective noun for geneticists (A helix of geneticists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hell | (noun) 1 in some religions, the place where the wicked are punished after death. 2 everlasting banishment from God. 3 a place of great evil or suffering. | ||
| Hellenologophobia | fear of Greek terms or complex scientific terminology (see list of phobias) | ||
| hellish | (adjective) 1 having to do with or like hell. 2 (inf) very bad, extremely unpleasant (a hellish crime). | ||
| hello | (interjective) used as a greeting or to attract attention. | ||
| helm | (noun) a steering wheel or handle on a ship. at the helm in control or command (the firm’s owner has retired and there is a new man at the helm). | ||
| helmet | (noun) 1 (old) head armor. 2 a protective covering for the head (motorcyclists wearing helmets). | ||
| Helminthology | study of worms (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Helminthophobia | fear of being infested with worms (see list of phobias) | ||
| help | (verb) 1 to aid, to assist (help the old lady across the roadhel-per/. | ||
| helpful | (adjective) 1 willing to help (helpful neighbors). 2 useful (a helpful suggestion). | ||
| helping | (noun) a person’s share of a dish of food (a second helping of dessert). | ||
| helpless | (adjective) unable to help oneself (helpless children). | ||
| helter-skelter | (adverb) in a hurry and confusion (the children ran helter-skelter from the bus to the beach). | ||
| hem | (noun) the border of a garment folded back and sewn (put a hem on the skirt to shorten it). vb (hemmed , hemming ) to sew a hem. hem in to surround closely (a house hemmed in by blocks of flats). | ||
| he-man | (noun) a strong man. | ||
| Hemaphobia | fear of blood (see list of phobias) | ||
| Hematology | study of blood (see list of branches of science) | ||
| hematology | (noun), also haematology (Br) the study of the blood. | ||
| Hematophobia | fear of blood (see list of phobias) | ||
| hemisphere | (noun) 1 half of the world. 2 a map showing half of the world. 3 half of a sphere. | ||
| hemline | (noun) the bottom edge of a skirt, coat, etc, which is usually hemmed. | ||
| hemlock | (noun) a poisonous plant. | ||
| Hemodynamics | study of the dynamics behind blood circulation (see list of branches of science) | ||
| hemoglobin | (noun), also haemoglobin (Br) the red matter that gives blood its color. | ||
| hemophilia | (noun), also haemophilia (Br) a condition where the blood does not clot properly when a person bleeds. | ||
| Hemophobia | fear of blood (see list of phobias) | ||
| hemorrhage | (noun), also haemorrhage (Br) heavy bleeding. | ||
| hemorrhoid | (noun), also haemorrhoid (Br) a painful swelling of a vein near the anus, usually with bleeding. | ||
| hemp | (noun) 1 a grass-like plant from whose fibers ropes are made. 2 a drug made from the plant. | ||
| hen | (noun) a female bird, especially a farmyard fowl (keep hens for their eggs). | ||
| henchman | (noun) (pl henchmen ) a follower, a trusty supporter (a people controlled by the dictator and his henchmen). | ||
| henna | (noun) 1 a plant with white or red flowers. 2 a dye taken from the leaves of this plant. 3 a reddish-brown color. | ||
| hepatitis | (noun) irritation and swelling of the liver. | ||
| Hepatology | study of liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Heptadecaphobia | fear of the number 17 (see list of phobias) | ||
| Heptadekaphobia | fear of the number 17 (see list of phobias) | ||
| heptagon | (noun) a seven-sided figure. | ||
| heptathlon | (noun) a contest, usually for women, in which there are seven events: 100-meter hurdles, shot put, high jump, 200-meter dash, long jump, javelin throw, and 800-meter run. | ||
| her | pron 1 (objective) refers to a female person or animal (I want her to be happy). 2 (possessive) of or belonging to her (she wore her lovely dress). | ||
| herald | (noun) 1 (old) a person who makes important announcements to the public. 2 a sign of something to come (flowers that are a herald of spring). vb 1 to announce the approach of someone or something (heavy footsteps heralded his approach). 2 to be a sign of (flowers heralding the arrival of spring). | ||
| herb | (noun) 1 any plant whose stem dies away during the winter. 2 a plant used for medicine or for flavoring food (add herbs to the spaghetti sauce). | ||
| herbaceous | (adjective) having to do with or full of herbs. herbaceous border a flowerbed with plants that flower year after year. | ||
| herbal | (adjective) of herbs (herbal remedies). | ||
| herbalist | (noun) a person who studies or sells herbs (he went to a herbalist for a cure for his allergy). | ||
| herbivore | (noun) an animal that eats plants and grasses (sheep are herbivores). adj herbivorous eating grass or herbs. | ||
| herd | (noun) 1 a flock of animals (a herd of cows/a herd of deer). 2 a large crowd of people (herds of people doing Christmas shopping). vb 1 (inf) to crowd or collect together (people herded into the hall to hear the speaker). 2 to look after a herd (herd the cows in the field). 3 to drive (herd the cows to market). | ||
| herd | Collective noun for alpacas (A herd of alpacas) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for animals (A herd of animals) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for antelopes (A herd of antelopes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for asses (A herd of asses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for boars (A herd of boars) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for bucks (A herd of bucks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for buffaloes (A herd of buffaloes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for caribou (A herd of caribou) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for cattle (A herd of cattle) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for chamois (A herd of chamois) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for chinchillas (A herd of chinchillas) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for cows (A herd of cows) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for cranes (A herd of cranes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for deer (A herd of deer) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for dinosaurs (A herd of dinosaurs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for donkeys (A herd of donkeys) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for eland (A herd of eland) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for elephants (A herd of elephants) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for elk (A herd of elk) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for fairies (A herd of fairies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for giraffes (A herd of giraffes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for gnus (A herd of gnus) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for goats (A herd of goats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for guinea pigs (A herd of guinea pigs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for harlots (A herd of harlots) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for harts (A herd of harts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for horses (A herd of horses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for ibex (A herd of ibex) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for llamas (A herd of llamas) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for moose (A herd of moose) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for otologists (A herd of otologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for oxen (A herd of oxen) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for pigs (A herd of pigs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for reindeer (A herd of reindeer) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for Sea horses (A herd of Sea horses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for seals (A herd of seals) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for sheep (A herd of sheep) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for walruses (A herd of walruses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for wildebeest (A herd of wildebeest) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for wrens (A herd of wrens) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for yaks (A herd of yaks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herd | Collective noun for zebras (A herd of zebras) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| herdsman | (noun) a person who looks after a herd. | ||
| here | (adverb) at or in this place. | ||
| hereafter | (adverb) after this time. n the life after death. | ||
| hereby | (adverb) by or through this, by this means. | ||
| hereditary | (adjective) passed on from parents to children (a hereditary disease). | ||
| Heredity | study of passing of traits from parents to offspring (see list of branches of science) | ||
| heredity | (noun) the passing on of qualities from parents to children (health factors associated with heredity). | ||
| Hereiophobia | fear of challenges to official doctrine or of radical deviation (see list of phobias) | ||
| Heresiology | study of heresies (see list of branches of science) | ||
| heresy | n an opinion at variance with established religious beliefs. | ||
| Heresyphobia | fear of challenges to official doctrine or of radical deviation (see list of phobias) | ||
| heretic | (noun) a person who teaches a heresy. adj heretical . | ||
| heritable | (adjective) able to be passed on from parents to children (heritable property). | ||
| heritage | (noun) 1 that which is passed on to a person by his or her parents (the farm was part of his heritage). 2 things that have been passed on from earlier generations (the art collection is part of our national heritage). | ||
| Hermeology | study of Mercury (see list of branches of science) | ||
| hermit | (noun) a person who lives alone or away from other people, originally often for religious reasons. | ||
| hernia | (noun) a break in the wall of muscle in the front of the stomach (have an operation to repair a hernia). | ||
| hero | (noun) (pl heroes ) 1 a brave person, someone admired for his brave deeds (treated as a hero for saving the cat from the fire). 2 the chief character in a play or novel (the hero of the novel is a young boy). f heroine . | ||
| heroic | (adjective) 1 brave (heroic deeds). 2 having to do with heroes (heroic legends). adv heroically. n heroics. | ||
| heroin | (noun) a habit-forming drug obtained from opium. | ||
| heroism | (noun) bravery (receive a medal for his heroism in battle). | ||
| heron | (noun) a water bird with long legs and neck (a heron catching fish). | ||
| herpes | (noun) a disease that causes small blisters on the skin. | ||
| Herpetology | study of reptiles and amphibians (see list of branches of science) | ||
| herpetology | (noun) the study of reptiles. | ||
| Herpetophobia | fear of reptiles or creepy, crawly things. (see list of phobias) | ||
| herring | (noun) a small sea fish used as food. | ||
| herring gull | (noun) the common sea gull of the Northern Hemisphere with gray and white feathers and black wing tips. | ||
| herringbone | (adjective) with a pattern like the backbone of a herring (a herringbone tweed). | ||
| hers | pron something or someone belonging to her. | ||
| herself | pron the reflexive form of she or her. | ||
| hertz | (noun) a unit of measurement for the number of waves, vibrations, etc, per unit of time. | ||
| hesitance , hesitancy , hesitation | (noun) doubt, act of hesitating, indecision. | ||
| hesitant | (adjective) doubtful, undecided (a hesitant persona hesitant remark). | ||
| hesitate | (verb) 1 to stop for a moment before doing something or speaking (she hesitated before answering the question). 2 to be undecided (they are hesitating about whether to go). | ||
| hessian | a coarse cloth used for sacks. | ||
| Heterophobia | fear of the opposite gender (see list of phobias) | ||
| heterosexual | (adjective) of different sexes; being attracted to the opposite sex. | ||
| hew | (noun) (fml) to cut by a number of strong blows, to chop as with an ax (hew down a tree). adj hewn . | ||
| hex | (noun) a spell believed to bring bad luck, a jinx. | ||
| hexagon | (noun) a six-sided figure. adj hexagonal . | ||
| hexagram | (noun) a six-sided star. | ||
| Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia | fear of the number 666 (see list of phobias) | ||
| hey | (interjective) used to attract attention or express surprise or delight; sometimes used as a greeting. | ||
| heyday | (noun) full strength, the time of life when a person’s abilities, etc, reach their full power (when silent films were in their heyday). | ||
| hi | (interjective) hello. | ||
| hiatus | (noun) 1 a break in a piece of writing or a speech (notice a hiatus in the play). 2 a gap (the talks resumed after a week’s hiatus). | ||
| hibernate | (verb) to pass the winter in sleep, as certain animals do (many animals hibernate including bears and squirrels). n hibernation . | ||
| hibiscus | (noun) a kind of plant or shrub with large, colorful flowers. | ||
| hiccup | (noun) 1 a sudden, short stoppage of the breath. 2 the sound caused by this. 3 a small delay or interruption (a hiccup in our timetable because of the absence of one of the speakers). vb (hiccupped , hiccupping ) to have hiccups. | ||
| hickory | (noun) a North American tree with very hard wood. | ||
| hide1 | (verb) (hid , pp hidden ) 1 to put or keep out of sight (parents try to hide the presents from the children until Christmas). 2 to keep secret (hide her disappointment). n a camouflaged place used by bird-watchers, hunters, etc (they had a lovely view over the wetland from the hide). | ||
| hide2 | (noun) the skin of an animal (an elephant’s hide). | ||
| hide-and-seek | (noun) a game in which one player tries to find the other players, who have all hidden. | ||
| hideaway | (noun) a place where a person can hide. | ||
| hideous | (adjective) 1 frightful (a hideous scream). 2 very ugly (a hideous dress). | ||
| hide-out | (noun) a place to hide (a hideout in the forest where they were safe from enemies). | ||
| hiding1 | (noun) the condition of being hidden (he went into hiding after he gave evidence at the trial). | ||
| hiding2 | (noun) a thrashing, a beating (their father threatened them with a hiding if they got into trouble again). | ||
| hierarchy | (noun) 1 an arrangement in order, putting the most important first (his place in the firm’s hierarchy). 2 the group of people in an organization who have power or control. adj hierarchical . | ||
| hieroglyph , hieroglyphic | (noun) a picture or sign standing for a word or sound, as in ancient Egyptian writing. | ||
| hieroglyphics | (noun) 1 a system of writing that uses hieroglyphs. 2 (inf) writing that is difficult to read. | ||
| Hierology | study of sacred matters (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hierophobia | fear of priests or sacred things (see list of phobias) | ||
| high | (adjective) 1 being a certain distance up (a wall six feet high). 2 being above normal level (high blood pressure/a high temperature). 3 raised above (a high window). 4 of important rank (high officials). 5 morally good (of high ideals). 6 expensive (high costs). Also adv. on a high horse wanting to be treated with great respect; haughty (when anyone criticizes her she gets on her high horse and won’t speak to anyone). | ||
| high jump | (noun) a contest to see who can jump the highest over a bar set up between two posts. | ||
| high school | (noun) a secondary school that includes grades 10, 11, and 12, and sometimes 9. | ||
| high seas | (noun, plural) the open seas (pirates sailing the high seas). | ||
| high tide | (noun) 1 the tide at its highest level. 2 the time of day when the tide reaches this level. | ||
| high water | (noun) high tide. | ||
| high wire | (noun) a wire stretched between two supports high above the ground across which people walk and perform tricks, as in a circus, fair, etc. | ||
| higher education | (noun) college or university education. | ||
| high-five | (noun) the slapping of another persons upraised, open hand in congratulation or celebration. | ||
| highland | (noun) land well above sea level, land containing many hills or mountains. | ||
| Highlander | (noun) a person who lives in the Highlands of Scotland. | ||
| highlight | (noun) a part on which light is brightest (she has blond highlights in her hair). v to mark with something to make lighter or brighter (highlighted the sections to study). | ||
| highlighter | (noun) a pen that is used to highlight parts of text. | ||
| highly | (adverb) greatly, very (highly amusedhighly unlikely). | ||
| highness | (noun) 1 the quality or state of being high. 2 a title of honor given to royalty. | ||
| high-rise | (adjective) of a tall apartment house, office building, etc. Also n. | ||
| high-strung | (adjective) very nervous, easily excited (she’s very high-strung and gets easily upset). | ||
| high-tech | (adjective), also hi-tech using very advanced modern machinery and methods, especially electronic ones. | ||
| high-top | (noun) a sneaker or athletic shoe that extends over the ankle. | ||
| highway | (noun) a public road, a main road. | ||
| hijack | (verb) to steel or take control of a car, truck, train, etc illegally during a journey (terrorists hijacking a plane). n hijacker . | ||
| hike | (verb) to go on a long walk in the country, especially over rough ground (weather permitting, we plan to go hiking over the mountain on Saturday morning). n hiker . | ||
| hilarious | (adjective) 1 extremely amusing or funny (the children thought the jokes were hilarious). 2 noisily merry (it was a hilarious party). n hilarity . | ||
| hill | (noun) a low mountain, a raised part of the earth’s surface. | ||
| hill | Collective noun for beans (A hill of beans) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hill | Collective noun for ruffs (A hill of ruffs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hillside | (noun) the side of a hill. | ||
| hilltop | (noun) the top of a hill. | ||
| hilly | (adjective) having many hills (hilly ground). | ||
| hilt | (noun) the handle of a sword, dagger, or knife. | ||
| him | pron (objective) refers to a male person or animal (they want him to come to the party). | ||
| himself | pron the reflexive form of he or him. | ||
| hind1 | (noun) a female red deer. | ||
| hind2 | (adjective) at the back (the dog’s hind legs). | ||
| hinder1 | (adjective) at the back. | ||
| hinder2 | (verb) to stop or delay the advance or development of, to put difficulties in the way of (hinder progress/hinder them in their escape plan). | ||
| Hindi | (noun) the main language in India. | ||
| hindrance | (noun) something or someone that makes action or progress difficult (the new assistant was more of a hindrance than a help/her injured arm was a hindrance in her work). | ||
| hindsight | (noun) the ability to see, after the event, what should have been done (with hindsight, we should have travelled by train). | ||
| Hindu | (noun) a believer in Hinduism. | ||
| Hinduism | (noun) a religion practiced by many in India focused on three things: Dharma, the universal law; Karma, the effects of personal actions; and Samsara, the cycle of rebirth. | ||
| hinge | (noun) a folding joint to which a door or lid is fixed so that it can turn on it (the gate hinges are in need of being oiled). vb 1 to fix hinges to (the cupboard door is hinged on the right). 2 to depend (his promotion hinges on passing the exam). | ||
| hint | (verb) to suggest indirectly (she hinted that he was not completely honest). n 1 an indirect suggestion (he received a hint that the firm would be sold). 2 a helpful suggestion. 3 a small amount (a hint of parsley). | ||
| hip boots | (noun) high, usually waterproof boots that reach the top of the legs (he always wears hip boots when he goes fishing at the side of the river). | ||
| hip1 | (noun) the upper part of the thigh (stand with her hands on her hips). | ||
| hip2 | (noun) the fruit of the wild rose (rose hips are full of vitamin C). | ||
| hip-hop | (noun) a form of music that combines rap, funk, street sounds, and melody. | ||
| Hippiatrics | study of diseases of horses (see list of branches of science) | ||
| hippies | (noun, plural) young people of the 1960s and 1970s who believed in peace, lived together in separate communities, and experimented with certain kinds of drugs. | ||
| hippo | (noun) short for hippopotamus. | ||
| Hippology | study of horses (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hippophobia | fear of horses (see list of phobias) | ||
| hippopotamus | (noun) (pl hippopotamuses or hippopotami ) a large, plant-eating river animal found in Africa, with thick skin, an almost hairless body, and short legs. | ||
| Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia | fear of long words (see list of phobias) | ||
| hire | (noun) 1 the renting of something (a boat for hire). 2 the money paid for the use of a thing or for the work of another (pay the hire of the hall in advance). vb 1 to get the use of a thing by paying for it (hire a boat for a week). 2 to lend to another for payment (hiring out his boat to tourists). | ||
| his | pron (possessive) of or belonging to him. | ||
| Hispanic | (adjective) of or relating to Hispanics. n a usually Spanish-speaking person of Latin American birth or descent. | ||
| hiss | (verb) to make a sound like that of the letter s, often as a sign of disapproval (the audience hissed at the comedian’s bad jokes). n the act or sound of hissing (the hiss of a snake). | ||
| Histology | study of the tissues of organisms (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Histopathology | study of changes in tissue due to disease (see list of branches of science) | ||
| historian | (noun) a person who writes about and studies history (a historian specializing in the nineteenth century). | ||
| historic | (adjective) of lasting importance (a historic battle). | ||
| historical | (adjective) having to do with history (historical studies). | ||
| Historiography | study of writing history (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Historiology | study of history (see list of branches of science) | ||
| history | (noun) 1 the study of past events (study American history in school). 2 an account of past events, conditions, ideas, etc (the history of the English language/told him her life history). | ||
| hit | (verb) (hit, hitting ) 1 to strike (hit the ball with the racket/hit his attacker in the face). 2 to reach, to arrive at (hit a bad patch). n 1 a blow. 2 a success (the show was a hit). | ||
| hit man | (noun) a man paid to kill someone. | ||
| hit-and-miss | (adjective) resulting in both successes and failures. | ||
| hit-and-run | (adjective) of an accident in which the driver involved flees from the scene. | ||
| hitch | (verb) 1 to hook or fasten (on to) (hitch the carriage on to the train). 2 to try to get a ride in someone else’s car (try to hitch to Philadelphia). n 1 a jerk, a pull (give his trousers a hitch). 2 a type of knot. 3 a difficulty, a snag (a slight hitch in the proceedings). | ||
| hitchhike | (verb) to travel by asking for rides from others along the way. | ||
| hi-tech | see high-tech. | ||
| hither | (adverb) (fml or old) to this place (come hither). | ||
| hitherto | (adverb) (fml) until now (hitherto he has been on time but he was late today). | ||
| hit-or-miss | (adjective) random. | ||
| HIV | (abbreviation) for Human Immunodeficiency Virus a virus that affects the body’s immune system and can lead to AIDS. | ||
| hive | (noun) 1 a home made for bees. 2 a place of great activity (the small office was a real hive of industry). | ||
| hives | (noun) or npl an allergic reaction that causes itching, burning, stinging, and red patches on the skin. | ||
| ho | (interjective) used to attract attention. | ||
| hoard | (noun) a hidden supply (the miser’s hoard of gold was hidden somewhere in his house). vb 1 to store secretly (a miser hoarding gold coins). 2 to collect (hoard food in case there is a shortage). | ||
| hoard | Collective noun for gold (A hoard of gold) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hoarse | (adjective) having a rough or husky voice (children hoarse from shouting). | ||
| hoarsen | (verb) to make or become hoarse. | ||
| hoax | (noun) a trick or joke intended to deceive (the phone call about the fire was a hoax). vb to deceive, to trick. | ||
| hob | (noun) a shelf at the side or rear of a fireplace for pots, etc. | ||
| hobble | (verb) 1 to limp (hobbling in shoes that were too tight). 2 to tie the legs of an animal to one another to stop it running away. | ||
| hobby | (noun) a favorite subject or interest for a person’s spare time, an interesting pastime (work so hard that they had no time for hobbies/play golf as a hobby). | ||
| hobo | (noun) a person who travels from place to place doing various jobs, a homeless person. | ||
| Hobophobia | fear of bums or beggars (see list of phobias) | ||
| hock | (noun) the joint in the middle of an animal’s back leg. | ||
| hockey | (noun) 1 a game in which the players skate on ice and score by hitting a puck into a goal with a long stick (there are eleven players in a hockey team). 2 (Br) a team game played with a ball or puck and sticks curved at the end, played indoors, in a field, or on pavement. | ||
| hod | (noun) a V-shaped wooden container on a pole used for carrying bricks, etc. | ||
| hodgepodge | (noun) a kind of stew, any jumbled mixture or mess. | ||
| Hodophobia | fear of road travel (see list of phobias) | ||
| hoe | (noun) a garden tool with a thin, flat blade at the end of a long handle for loosening the earth around plants. vb to dig with a hoe (hoeing the weeds). | ||
| hoedown | (noun) a lively dance, often a square dance. | ||
| hog | (noun) 1 a pig. 2 a greedy person (he’s such a hog that he ate all the food before the others arrived). | ||
| hogwash | (noun) 1 garbage fed to hogs. 2 useless talk, writing, etc. | ||
| ho-hum | (interjective) used to suggest boredom. | ||
| hoist | (verb) to lift, to raise, especially by some device (hoist the load with a crane). n a lift for goods. | ||
| hold | (verb) (pt, pp held ) 1 to have or take in the hand(s) or arms (hold a newborn baby/holding a knife in one hand). 2 to bear the weight of, to support (the bridge wouldn’t hold them). 3 to contain or be able to contain (a jug holding two liters). 4 to have (an opinion) (he holds the view that all people are equal). 5 to cause to take place (hold a meeting). n 1 grasp (have a firm hold of the wheel). 2 the lowest part of a ship, where the cargo is stored. hold forth (fml) to speak in public or at length (held forth about his political opinions). hold up 1 to attack and rob. 2 to delay, to hinder. 3 to last. 4 to raise. 5 to support. hold with to agree with (he does not hold with new educational ideas). hold your own to keep advantages without gaining any more (held his own in a fight). | ||
| holder | (noun) one who holds or possesses (the holder of the lease). | ||
| hole | (noun) 1 a hollow or empty space in something solid (a hole in the road). 2 an opening (a hole in the fence). 3 an animal’s den (the fox’s hole). 4 (inf) a difficulty (in a bit of a hole financially). vb to make a hole in (a ship holed by a rock). | ||
| holiday | (noun) 1 a day of freedom from work, a day set aside for rest or amusement (the Christmas holiday). 2 (Br) a period of rest from work often spent away from home. n holiday-maker . | ||
| holiness | (noun) the state of being holy. Holiness a title given to the pope. | ||
| holler | (verb) to shout or yell. | ||
| hollow | (adjective) 1 not solid. 2 empty inside (hollow trees). 3 worthless (a hollow victory). 4 not sincere (hollow promises). 5 sounding as if coming from a hollow place, echoing (hollow sounds). n 1 a sunken place, something hollow (hollows in the cheeks). 2 a low place between folds, ridges, etc. 3 a valley. vb 1 to make hollow. 2 to take out the inside leaving the outside untouched (hollow out the melon). | ||
| holly | (noun) an evergreen bush with dark green spiky leaves and red berries. | ||
| holocaust | (noun) 1 (old) the burning of an animal as a sacrifice. 2 killing or destruction on a huge scale, often by fire (fear a nuclear holocaust). | ||
| hologram | (noun) a 3-dimensional photographic image created by using a laser beam. | ||
| holograph | (noun) a document in the person’s own handwriting whom it is about (a will in the form of a holograph). | ||
| holster | (noun) a pistol case that can be fixed to a belt (remove his gun from his holster). | ||
| holy | (adjective) 1 good and trying to be perfect in the service of God (holy men). 2 set aside for the service of God (holy places). | ||
| Holy Communion | (noun) in the Christian faith, the receiving of bread and wine to remember Jesus’s last meal with his followers before his death. | ||
| Holy Day | (noun) any day set aside for a religious purpose. | ||
| homage | (noun) 1 (old) the promise to do certain duties for an overlord. 2 respect, things said or done to show great respect (come to do homage at the great man’s funeral/pay homage to the famous writer). | ||
| home | (noun) 1 a person’s house, the place where a person lives (the doctor visited her in her home). 2 where a person was born, the place where a person or thing originally comes from (the home of jazz). 3 a place where children without parents, old people, people who are ill, etc, are looked after (an old people’s home). adj 1 having to do with a person’s home (home comforts). 2 made or done at home (home cooking). adv to or at home (go home). | ||
| home page | (noun) the first web page found on an Internet site. | ||
| home run | (noun) in baseball, a hit that allows the batter to run around all the bases to score. | ||
| home schooling | (noun) the process of teaching his or her own children in the home rather than sending them to a school. | ||
| homeboy | (noun) a boy or man from the same town, neighborhood, etc. | ||
| homegirl | (noun) a girl or woman from the same town, neighborhood, etc. | ||
| homeless | (adjective) having no home. | ||
| homely | (adjective) 1 plain, simple (homely tastes). 2 like home, comfortable (a homely place). | ||
| homemade | (adjective) made at home or at the place where it is being offered, sold, etc. | ||
| homemaker | (noun) a person, especially a housewife, who manages a home. | ||
| homeopathy | (noun), also homoeopathy (Br) a system of medical treatment based on the belief that certain illnesses can be cured by giving the patient small doses of a drug that would cause a mild form of the illness in a healthy person. adj homeopathic . | ||
| homeowner | (noun) a person who owns the house that he or she lives in. | ||
| homeplate | (noun) in baseball, the base from where the batter hits and to where the runners run to score. | ||
| homeroom | (noun) the room where a class in school meets every day to make sure the students are all there and to give any announcements. | ||
| homesick | (adjective) having a longing for home (homesick at boarding school). n homesickness . | ||
| homespun | (noun) cloth made in the home. adj 1 made of cloth spun at home. 2 plain and simple (homespun remedies). | ||
| homestead | (noun) 1 a house with grounds and outbuildings around it, especially a farm. 2 a piece of public land granted to a person by the US government to be developed as a farm (per the Homestead Act of 1862). | ||
| hometown | (noun) the town where a person lives or grew up. | ||
| homeward | (adverb) (fml) toward home (travel homeward). | ||
| homework | (noun) work to be done or lessons to be studied at home. | ||
| Homichlophobia | fear of fog (see list of phobias) | ||
| homicide | (noun) 1 the act of killing another human being (guilty of homicide). 2 a person who kills another human being (homicides in jail). adj homicidal . | ||
| Homilophobia | fear of sermons (see list of phobias) | ||
| Hominophobia | fear of men (see list of phobias) | ||
| Homo sapiens | (noun) the scientific name for human beings. | ||
| homogenize | (verb), also homogenise (Br) to make the same in texture, mixture, or quality by breaking down and blending the different parts (we drink homogenized milk so the cream doesn’t separate). adj homogenous. | ||
| homonym | (noun) a word sounding the same as another but having a different meaning (e.g. here, hear). | ||
| Homophobia | fear of sameness, monotony or of homosexuality or of becoming homosexual (see list of phobias) | ||
| homophobia | (noun) irrational fear or hatred of homosexuals or homosexuality. | ||
| homosexual | (adjective) of or having to do with sexual desire for those of the same sex. n homosexuality . | ||
| honest | (adjective) 1 free from deceit, upright, truthful; not cheating, stealing, etc (honest workers). 2 open and frank (to be honest with you). 3 typical of an honest person, open (an honest face). 4 true (an honest report). n honesty . | ||
| honey | (noun) a sweet fluid made by bees from flowers. | ||
| honeybee | (noun) a bee that makes honey. | ||
| honeycomb | (noun) the waxy cells in which bees store their honey. | ||
| honeymoon | (noun) the vacation taken by a newly married couple immediately after marriage. | ||
| honeysuckle | (noun) a sweet-smelling climbing plant (honeysuckle surrounding the door). | ||
| honk | (noun) the call of a wild goose or any similar sound, as that of a car horn. | ||
| honor | (noun), also honour (Br) 1 good name, reputation (fight for his country’s honor). 2 high principles and standards of behavior (a man of honor). 3 glory (bring honor to the school). 4 a person or thing that brings pride or glory (he is an honor to the school). 5 a title of respect used when talking to or about certain important people such as judges, mayors, etc. 6 respect (in honor of the dead). vb 1 to respect. 2 to raise in rank or dignity. 3 to pay (a bill) when due. | ||
| honor society | (noun), also honour society (Br) a college or high school organization for students who get high marks. | ||
| honor system | (noun), also honour system (Br) a system whereby people are trusted to obey rules, do their work, etc without direct supervision. | ||
| honorable | (adjective), also honourable (Br) 1 worthy of respect or honor (honorable deeds). 2 honest, of high principles (an honorable man). 3 just. | ||
| honorary | (adjective) 1 unpaid (honorary secretary of the organization). 2 given to a person as a mark of respect for his or her ability (an honorary degree). | ||
| hood | (noun) 1 a covering for the head and neck (the monk’s hood). 2 anything that looks like a hood or can be used as such (the hood of a baby carriage/the hood of a car). | ||
| hoodlum | (noun) a wild, lawless person, often a member of a gang of criminals. | ||
| hoodwink | (verb) to deceive (hoodwink her into lending him money). | ||
| hoof | (noun) (pl hooves or hoofs ) the horny part of the foot in certain animals (a horse’s hoof). adj hoofed having hooves. | ||
| hook | (noun) 1 a piece of metal or plastic bent for catching hold or for hanging things on (a hook on the bathroom door for robes). 2 a short, curved cutting instrument. vb to catch, hold, or fasten with a hook (hook a large salmon). adj hooked, hook-shaped. by hook or by crook by any means, fair or unfair (he will get the money by hook or by crook). | ||
| hook shot | (noun) in basketball, a one-handed shot in which the arm is brought up sideways over the head to toss the ball into the hoop. | ||
| hooligan | (noun) a wild, lawless person, often a member of a gang of criminals (young hooligans fighting in the street and damaging property). n hooliganism . | ||
| hoop | (noun) 1 a band of metal around a cask. 2 a large ring of wood, metal, etc (dogs jumping through hoops). | ||
| hoot | (verb) 1 to cry as an owl. 2 to make a loud noise of laughter or disapproval (hooting with laughter). n 1 the cry of an owl. 2 a shout of laughter or disapproval. | ||
| hooves | see hoof. | ||
| hop1 | (verb) (hopped , hopping ) 1 to jump on one leg (he hurt his foot and had to hop to the car). 2 to jump (he hopped over the wall). n a jump, especially on one leg. | ||
| hop2 | (noun) a plant with bitter-tasting cones used in making beer, ale, etc. | ||
| hope | (verb) to wish for and expect good things in the future (he hopes for better thingslive in hope). | ||
| hope chest | (noun) a chest in which a young woman collects linen, clothing, etc in hopes of getting married one day. | ||
| hopeful | (adjective) 1 full of hope (in a hopeful mood). 2 giving cause for hope (there are hopeful signs that he will make a full recovery). | ||
| hopeless | (adjective) 1 without hope. 2 giving no cause for hope (a hopeless cause). 3 (inf) poor, not good (despite attending cookery classes for over a year she is still a hopeless cook). | ||
| Hoplology | study of human combative behavior and performance (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hoplophobia | fear of firearms (see list of phobias) | ||
| hopping | (adjective) very busy or active (the nightclub was hopping). | ||
| hopscotch | (noun) a game in which a player tosses a stone or other object into a section of a figure drawn on the ground and hops from section to section to pick to the stone up after the toss. | ||
| horde | (noun) 1 a wandering camp or tribe. 2 a huge crowd (hordes of people at the January sales). v to collect into a large group. | ||
| horde | Collective noun for gerbils (A horde of gerbils) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| horde | Collective noun for hamsters (A horde of hamsters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| horde | Collective noun for misers (A horde of misers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| horde | Collective noun for savages (A horde of savages) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| horizon | (noun) 1 the line along which the earth and sky seem to meet. 2 the breadth of a person’s understanding and experience (extend his horizons by studying). | ||
| horizontal | (adjective) parallel to the horizon, flat, level (in a horizontal line). | ||
| Hormephobia | fear of shock (see list of phobias) | ||
| hormone | (noun) a substance made in the body that has a specific job or effect. | ||
| horn | (noun) 1 a hard, pointed growth on the heads of some animals (a bull’s horns). 2 anything shaped like a horn (e.g. snail’s feelers). 3 a musical brass instrument (play the French horn). 4 on a car, truck, etc, an instrument that makes a warning noise (beep his horn as a warning for the other car). adj made of horn. | ||
| horned | (adjective) having horns (there are not so many horned cattle around these days). | ||
| hornet | (noun) a large, stinging insect of the wasp family colored yellow and black. | ||
| hornist | (noun) a person who plays the French horn. | ||
| hornpipe | (noun) 1 a lively dance, a sailor’s dance. 2 music for such a dance. 3 a musical instrument no longer widely used with a bell and mouthpiece made of horn. | ||
| Horology | study of time measurement (see list of branches of science) | ||
| horoscope | (noun) 1 a plan showing the positions of the stars in the sky at a particular time, especially at the hour of a person’s birth, made in the belief that from it features and future events can be foretold (cast a horoscope). 2 a forecast of a person’s future based on such a plan (horoscopes printed in the newspapers). | ||
| horrendous | (adjective) horrible, frightful. | ||
| horrent | (adjective) bristly, horrified. | ||
| horrible | (adjective) 1 causing horror, dreadful, terrible (a horrible accident). 2 (inf) unpleasant, nasty (a horrible personhaw-ri-blee/. | ||
| horrid | (adjective) 1 (fml) horrible, dreadful (horrid crimes). 2 (inf) horrible, unpleasant, nasty (a horrid girl). | ||
| horrify | (verb) to shock unpleasantly (the news of his terrible accident horrified us). adj horrific . | ||
| horror | (noun) 1 terror, great fear or dislike (have a horror of snakes). 2 (inf) a horrible or disagreeable person or thing (the child is a real horror). adj (he loves to watch horror movies but they always give him nightmares). | ||
| horrorstruck | (adjective) horrified. | ||
| hors d’oeuvre | (noun) (pl hors d’oeuvres ) an appetizer, a small portion of food served before a meal or at a cocktail party (she always provides delicious hors d’oeuvres at her dinner parties). | ||
| horse | (noun) 1 an animal that can be used for riding on or pulling loads. 2 a device or frame with legs to support something. 3 a padded block on four legs used by gymnasts in vaulting (his complicated vault on the horse won him a medal). | ||
| horseback | (adverb) on the back of a horse. | ||
| horsefly | (noun) a large fly that typically feeds on the blood of horses and cattle. | ||
| horseplay | (noun) rough play (children breaking things while indulging in horseplay). | ||
| horsepower | (noun) the pulling power of a horse, taken as an imperial unit of power equal to the power needed to raise 33,000 pounds 1 foot in 1 minute (the horsepower of a car). | ||
| horseradish | (noun) a plant with a sharp-tasting edible root used for sauce or relish (roast beef with horseradish). | ||
| horseshoe | (noun) 1 a curved iron shoe for horses. 2 anything of this shape. | ||
| Horticulture | study of gardening (see list of branches of science) | ||
| horticulture | (noun) the art or science of gardening or growing flowers, vegetables, etc. adj horticultural . | ||
| horticulturist | (noun) a person skilled in gardening. | ||
| hosanna | (noun) a cry of praise to God. | ||
| hose | (noun) a movable pipe of rubber, plastic, etc, used for carrying water (we use our hose for watering plants and cleaning the car). vb to spray with a hose. | ||
| hospice | (noun) 1 (old) a place of rest or shelter for travelers. 2 a hospital for sufferers of incurable diseases (the care experienced by many cancer patients in hospices is outstanding). | ||
| hospitable | (adjective) kind to guests and visitors. | ||
| hospital | (noun) a building for the care of the sick. | ||
| hospitality | (noun) kindness to guests and visitors. | ||
| hospitalization | (noun), also hospitalisation (Br) the condition of being put into a hospital for a time. | ||
| host | Collective noun for angels (A host of angels) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| host | Collective noun for sparrows (A host of sparrows) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| host1 | (noun) 1 one who receives guests (their host at the dinner party). 2 (old) an innkeeper or hotelkeeper. f hostess . vb to act as a host (to a party, television show, etc). | ||
| host2 | (noun) 1 (old) an army. 2 a very large number (a whole host of people came to the meeting). | ||
| host3 | (noun) in some Christian services, the bread taken during Holy Communion. | ||
| hostage | (noun) a person held prisoner until the conditions for his or her release, as laid down by his or her kidnappers, have been met (the hijackers of the plane took the passengers as hostages). | ||
| hostel | (noun) a building in which persons away from home (students, travelers, etc) can pay to stay if they agree to keep its rules. | ||
| hostelry | (noun) (old) an inn. | ||
| hostess | see host. | ||
| hostile | (adjective) 1 unfriendly (hostile toward anyone who disagrees with her). 2 having to do with an enemy (hostile troops). | ||
| hostility | (noun) 1 unfriendliness. 2 pl warfare. | ||
| hot | (adjective) 1 very warm (a hot day). 2 easily excited (a hot temper). 3 having a sharp, burning taste (hot food). | ||
| hot air | (noun) writing or speech that claims to be important but really is not. | ||
| hot dog | (noun) a frankfurter, usually served on a long, soft roll. | ||
| hot plate | (noun) a small, portable device for cooking food or for keeping it warm. | ||
| hot seat | (noun) any stressful, difficult position to be in. | ||
| hot spring | (noun) a spring with water that is hotter than the temperature of the human body. | ||
| hot tub | (noun) a large tub in which several people soak in hot water together. | ||
| hot water bottle | (noun) a rubber container holding hot water which is used to warm a person in bed. | ||
| hotbed | (noun) 1 in a garden, a glass-covered piece of earth kept warm so that plants will grow in it more quickly. 2 a place where things develop quickly. (a hotbed of rebellion). | ||
| hotbed | Collective noun for quilts (A hotbed of quilts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hotch-potch | see hodgepodge. | ||
| hotel | (noun) a building where people sleep and eat when away from home; an inn (stay at a hotel when away on business). | ||
| hotheaded | (adjective) easily excited, rash (he’s so hotheaded that he rushes into things without thinking). n hothead . | ||
| hotshot | (noun) a person who is regarded as an expert at an activity or very important, aggressive, or skillful at something. | ||
| hot-tempered | (adjective) easily angered (so hot-tempered that children are afraid of him). | ||
| hound | (noun) 1 a hunting dog (foxhounds). 2 (inf) a rascal (that thieving hound). vb to hunt. hound out to drive out (they were hounded out of the town). | ||
| hour | (noun) 1 60 minutes. 2 the time fixed for doing something, the time at which something is usually done (business hours). | ||
| hourglass | (noun) a sand-filled glass for measuring time. | ||
| houri | (noun) in the Muslim faith, any of the beautiful young women in paradise. | ||
| hourly | (adjective) happening every hour (hourly reports). | ||
| house | (noun) 1 a building in which people, often a family, live. 2 a place or building used for a particular purpose (a house of worship). 3 a theater audience (a full house at the evening performance). vb 1 to provide a house for. 2 to shelter. | ||
| house | Collective noun for senators (A house of senators) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| house music | (noun) a kind of dance music developed in Chicago with a low bass and rap sound. | ||
| House of Commons | (noun) the part of the UK parliament whose members are elected by the people. | ||
| House of Representatives | (noun) the part of the US government responsible for creating laws. | ||
| house party | (noun) a party of guests that stay overnight or for a few days. | ||
| house physician | (noun) a resident doctor at a hospital, hotel, etc. | ||
| houseboat | (noun) a large, flat-bottomed boat used as a home (a houseboat on the Mississippi). | ||
| housebroken | (adjective) of dogs and cats, trained to go outside to urinate, etc. | ||
| housefly | (noun) a kind of fly that feeds on garbage, food, etc, and found around houses. | ||
| houseguest | (noun) a person who stays at least one night in a person’s home. | ||
| household | (noun) all who live in a house. adj having to do with a house or those who live in it (household pets/household insurance). | ||
| househusband | (noun) a married man whose primary job it is to manage the home and family. | ||
| housekeeper | (noun) a person in charge of managing a house (the man employed a housekeeper). | ||
| housekeeping | (noun) the work of a housekeeper. | ||
| houseplant | (noun) a plant that is grown indoors for decoration. | ||
| house-raising | (noun) a gathering of the members of a community to help build a neighbor’s house or its framework. | ||
| housesit | (verb) to stay in and care for a house while its owners are absent. | ||
| housewife | (noun) a married woman whose primary job it is to manage the home and family. | ||
| housework | (noun) the work involved in housekeeping such as cleaning, cooking, etc. | ||
| housing | (noun) shelter or lodging, the act of providing shelter. | ||
| hovel | (noun) a small, dirty house. | ||
| hover | (verb) 1 to stay in the air without moving (hawks hovering). 2 to stay near (hover around to try and talk to the celebrity). | ||
| hover | Collective noun for helicopters (A hover of helicopters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hover | Collective noun for kestrels (A hover of kestrels) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hover | Collective noun for trout (A hover of trout) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hovercraft | (noun) a type of car or boat that can skim over the surface of smooth land or water on a cushion of air. | ||
| how | (adverb) 1 in what manner or way (how will you do this?). 2 in what state or condition (how do you feel?). 3 for what reason or purpose (how do you know that?). 4 at what price (how could you?). | ||
| however | (adverb) 1 in whatever way (get there however we can). 2 no matter how (however bad the conditions). 3 yet (he is very old—however he is healthy). | ||
| howl | (verb) to give a long, loud cry, as a dog or wolf (the wind howling/people howling with laughter). 2 to wail, to cry (children howling with pain). Also n. | ||
| howl | Collective noun for paediatricians (A howl of paediatricians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hub | (noun) 1 the central part of a wheel. 2 a center of interest or activity (the area is the hub of the business community). | ||
| hubcap | (noun) a cap over the center of a wheel on a car, truck, etc. | ||
| huckleberry | (noun) a plant with dark blue berries; the berries from this plant. | ||
| huckster | (noun) a person who sells things from door to door or in the street (hucksters selling fruit and vegetables off their carts). | ||
| huddle | (verb) to crowd together (people huddling together for warmth). n a close crowd (in a huddle to discuss the plan). | ||
| huddle | Collective noun for houses (A huddle of houses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| huddle | Collective noun for lawyers (A huddle of lawyers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| hue | (noun) (fml or lit) 1 color (materials of every hue). 2 shade of a color (the sky had a purple hue). | ||
| hue and cry | n 1 (old) pursuit after a criminal. 2 a noisy expression of anger, a noisy protest (there was a great hue and cry after the new road was cancelled). | ||
| huevos rancheros | (noun) fried eggs with a creole sauce. | ||
| huff | (noun) a fit of temper (he goes into a huff when he does not get his own way). | ||
| huffy | (adjective) easily angered. | ||
| hug | (verb) (hugged , hugging ) 1 to hold tightly in the arms, to take lovingly in the arms. 2 to keep close to (cars hugging the side of the road in the fog). n a close grip, an embrace (an affectionate hug). | ||
| hug | Collective noun for teddy bears (A hug of teddy bears) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| huge | (adjective) very big, enormous (a huge monsterhyoodge-ness/. | ||
| huh | (interjective) used to express surprise or ask a question. | ||
| huipil | (noun) a loose-fitting, often colorful garment worn by women from Mexico and Guatemala. | ||
| hula | (noun) a native Hawaiian dance marked by flowing movements. | ||
| Hula-Hoop™ | (noun) a light hoop made of plastic that is twirled around the body. | ||
| hulk | (noun) 1 the body of an old ship. 2 anything difficult to move (a hulk of an old wardrobe). 3 a big, clumsy person or thing. adj hulking . | ||
| hull | (noun) 1 the outer covering of a grain or seed. 2 the frame or body of a ship (the hull of the ship was badly damaged by the collision). vb to strip off the husk (hull raspberries). | ||
| hullabaloo | (noun) noise and confusion (there was a great hullabaloo among his patients when they discovered the doctor had lied about his qualifications). | ||
| hum | (verb) (hummed , humming ) 1 to make a buzzing sound (bees humming/machines humming). 2 to sing without words or with the mouth closed (hums a tune as she works). n 1 a buzzing noise (the hum of machinery). 2 the noise made by a bee when flying. | ||
| human | (adjective) having to do with people (human diseases/human remains). n person. | ||
| humane | (adjective) kindly, merciful (it is humane to put very ill animals to sleep). | ||
| humanism | (noun) 1 love of literature and learning. 2 the belief that humans are the most important subject of study (she believes in humanism, not Christianity). n humanist . | ||
| humanitarian | (noun) a person who works to lessen human suffering (humanitarians who go to the poor areas of the world to help the local people). Also adj. | ||
| humanity | (noun) 1 all humankind. 2 kindness, feeling for others (he is cruel and totally lacking in humanity). | ||
| humanize | (verb), also humanise (Br) 1 to civilize. 2 to make gentler, to make kind. | ||
| humankind | (noun) all people as a race. | ||
| humble | (adjective) thinking oneself unimportant, not proud, seeking no praise (too humble to see that she was being taken advantage ofhum-blee/. | ||
| humdrum | (adjective) dull, ordinary, boring (lead a humdrum existence). | ||
| humerus | (noun) the bone that extends from the shoulder to the elbow. | ||
| humid | (adjective) moist, damp (a humid heat/humid weather). | ||
| humidify | (verb) to make damp, to moisten. | ||
| humidity | (noun) dampness, the amount of moisture in the air. | ||
| humiliate | (verb) to embarrass, to lessen the importance or power of, to lower the dignity or pride of (humiliating her in front of the rest of the class by making her stand in the corner). n humiliation . | ||
| humility | (noun) the state of being humble (people in lower positions in the firm were expected to behave with humility). | ||
| hummingbird | (noun) a small, brightly colored bird whose wings make a humming sound when it is flying. | ||
| hummus | (noun) a Middle Eastern dish made of mashed chickpeas and eaten as an appetizer. | ||
| humor | (noun), also humour (Br) 1 any fluid or juice of an animal or plant. 2 a comical or amusing quality (a sense of humor/see the humor in the situation). 3 a state of mind, mood (in a good humor). | ||
| humorist | (noun) a person who writes or talks amusingly (a humorist who has had several books published). | ||
| humorous | (adjective) 1 funny, amusing (tell a humorous story). 2 having or displaying a sense of humor (a humorous person). | ||
| hump | (noun) a rounded lump, especially on the back (camels have humps). adj humped , humpy . | ||
| humpback | (noun) a person with a lump on his or her back. | ||
| humph | (interjective) used to express doubt or disgust. | ||
| humus | (noun) rotted leaves, etc, mixed into the earth (humus fertilizing the soil). | ||
| hunch | (noun) 1 a rounded hump, especially on the back. 2 (inf) an intuitive feeling, a hint (I have a hunch that she is hiding something). | ||
| hunchback | (noun) a person with a hunch on his or her back. adj hunchbacked . | ||
| hundred | (noun) ten times ten; the number after 99. adj hundredth . | ||
| hung | pt, pp of hang. | ||
| hunger | (noun) 1 a strong desire for food (try to suppress his hunger until lunchtime). 2 lack of food (die of hunger). 3 any strong desire (a hunger for fame). vb 1 (old) to feel hunger. 2 to desire greatly (hunger for love). | ||
| hungry | (adjective) 1 needing food, feeling or showing hunger (hungry children asking for food). 2 having a strong need or desire for (the orphaned children were very hungry for love). | ||
| hunk | (noun) (inf) a large piece, a chunk (a hunk of cheese). | ||
| hunker | (verb) to creep or settle down. | ||
| hunt | (verb) 1 to chase wild animals to kill or capture them (hunting stags). 2 to look for (hunting for his other sock). 3 to follow so as to catch (police hunting the escaped prisoner). n 1 the act of hunting. 2 a group of people who meet to hunt wild animals. | ||
| hunter | (noun) a person who hunts (f huntress ). | ||
| huntsman | (noun) a man who hunts. | ||
| hurdle | (noun) 1 a gate-like movable frame of wood or metal. 2 a wooden frame over which people or horses must jump in certain races (the horse refused to jump the last hurdle). 3 an obstruction or obstacle (their major hurdle is lack of money). | ||
| hurl | (verb) to throw with force (hurling a brick through the window/hurl abuse). | ||
| hurrah , hurray | (interjective) a cry of joy (the children shouted “Hurrah” when they were told they were going to visit to Disneyland). | ||
| hurricane | (noun) a violent storm, a very strong wind (parts of America have again been flattened by a hurricane). | ||
| hurried | (adjective) 1 done quickly, often too quickly; hasty (a hurried exit/a hurried reply). | ||
| hurry | (verb) 1 to do or go quickly (she hurried as fast as she could to fetch her sick child from school). 2 to make to go quickly (the teacher hurried the children along). n haste, speed (everything had to be done in a hurry). | ||
| hurt | (verb) (pt, pp hurt ) 1 to cause pain to, to wound, to injure (hurt his hand on broken glass). 2 to upset (hurt by his remarks). n (fml) 1 a wound, an injury. 2 harm. | ||
| hurtful | (adjective) harmful (she was upset by her friend’s hurtful remarks). | ||
| husband | (noun) a married man (husband and wife). vb to use or spend carefully (husband their resources). | ||
| husbandry | (noun) 1 (old) farming. 2 (fml) careful spending. | ||
| hush | (noun) silence, stillness (in the hush of the evening/a hush descended on the room). vb 1 to make silent (try to hush the children). 2 to become silent (ask the children to hush). hush up to prevent something becoming generally known (try to hush up the family scandal). interj quiet! silence! | ||
| husk | (noun) the dry outer covering of a grain or seed, or of certain fruits. | ||
| husky1 | (adjective) 1 hoarse, dry, and rough (a husky voice). 2 hefty, strong. | ||
| husky2 | (noun) an Arctic sled dog. | ||
| hut | (noun) a small, roughly built house; a wooden shed (a garden hut). | ||
| hutch | (noun) a box-like cage, e.g. for rabbits. | ||
| hyacinth | (noun) a bulb plant with bell-like flowers and a strong scent. | ||
| Hyalophobia | fear of glass (see list of phobias) | ||
| hybrid | (noun) a plant or animal resulting from the mixing of two different kinds or species (a mule is a hybrid). adj bred from two different kinds. vb hybridize , also hybridise (Br). | ||
| hydrant | (noun) a pipe from the main water pipe of a street from which water may be drawn directly (firemen attaching their hose to a hydrant). | ||
| Hydrargyophobia | fear of mercurial medicines (see list of phobias) | ||
| hydraulic | (adjective) worked by the pressure of water or other liquid (hydraulic brakes). | ||
| hydro- | prefix having to do with water. | ||
| Hydrobiology | study of aquatic organisms (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hydrodynamics | study of movement in liquids (see list of branches of science) | ||
| hydroelectric | (adjective) having to do with electricity obtained by water power. | ||
| hydrogen | (noun) an invisible gas with no color or smell that with oxygen forms water. | ||
| hydrogen bomb | (noun) an extremely destructive nuclear bomb. | ||
| Hydrogeology | study of ground water (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hydrography | study of investigating bodies of water (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hydrokinetics | study of motion of fluids (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hydrology | study of water resources (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hydrometeorology | study of atmospheric moisture (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hydropathy | study of treating diseases with water (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hydrophobia | fear of water (see list of phobias) | ||
| Hydrophobophobia | fear of rabies (see list of phobias) | ||
| hydroplane | (noun) 1 an attachment of an airplane that enables it to glide along the water. 2 a speedboat that skims the surface of the water. Also vb. | ||
| Hydrostatics | study of fluids behaviour at rest (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hyelophobia | fear of glass (see list of phobias) | ||
| hyena | (noun) a dog-like animal that eats dead flesh (hyenas make a sound like a human laughing). | ||
| Hyetology | study of rainfall (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hygiastics | study of health and hygiene (see list of branches of science) | ||
| hygiene | (noun) 1 the study of clean and healthy living. 2 clean and healthy living. | ||
| hygienic | (adjective) having to do with hygiene; clean (a kitchen that was not hygienic). | ||
| Hygienics | study of sanitation; health (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hygiology | study of cleanliness (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hygrometry | study of humidity (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hygrophobia | fear of liquids, dampness, or moisture (see list of phobias) | ||
| Hygroscopy | study of humidity (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hylephobia | fear of materialism or the fear of epilepsy (see list of phobias) | ||
| Hylophobia | fear of forests (see list of phobias) | ||
| hymn | (noun) a song of praise, especially to God. | ||
| hymnal, hymnary , | (noun) a book of hymns. | ||
| Hymnography | study of writing hymns (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hymnology | study of hymns (see list of branches of science) | ||
| hype | (verb) to promote in an extravagant way. n such promotion. | ||
| Hypegiaphobia | fear of responsibility (see list of phobias) | ||
| Hypengyophobia | fear of responsibility (see list of phobias) | ||
| hyperactive | (adjective) too active and unable to sit still for very long (a hyperactive child). | ||
| hyperbole | (noun) a figure of speech by which a statement is exaggerated in a striking way (“he is as strong as an ox” is a hyperbole). adj hyperbolic . | ||
| hypertension | (noun) very high blood pressure. | ||
| hyphen | (noun) a short dash (-) between syllables or between words joined to express a single idea. | ||
| Hypnology | study of sleep; study of hypnosis (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Hypnophobia | fear of sleep or of being hypnotized (see list of phobias) | ||
| hypnosis | (noun) a sleep-like state in which the person who induced the hypnosis has a certain amount of control over the sleeper’s actions (she wondered if hypnosis could cure her addiction to smoking). | ||
| hypnotic | (adjective) producing a hypnotic state (the ticking of the clock was very hypnotic). | ||
| hypnotism | (noun) the art of producing hypnosis. | ||
| hypnotist | (noun) a person who has the power to hypnotize others. | ||
| hypnotize | (verb), also hypnotise (Br) to will a person into a sleep-like state and to then control the sleeper’s actions. | ||
| hypochondria | (noun) a condition in which someone is overanxious about their health, constantly believing that he or she is ill when he or she is not (she is physically healthy but she’s a hypochondriac). n hypochondriac a person who suffers from hypochondria. | ||
| hypocrisy | (noun) the pretence of being good or of having beliefs or feelings that one does not have (it was hypocrisy for him to tell me to clean my room because his is messier than mine). | ||
| hypocrite | (noun) a person who pretends to be good but is not so; a person who says one thing and does another. | ||
| hypocritical | (adjective) not sincere, false. | ||
| hypotenuse | (noun) the side opposite the right angle of a triangle, the longest side of a right triangle. | ||
| hypothermia | (noun) a serious medical condition in which the body temperature is much lower than normal because of prolonged exposure to cold. | ||
| hypothesis | (noun) an idea accepted as true for the basis of an argument, something supposed true but not proved so. adj hypothetical . | ||
| Hypsiphobia | fear of height (see list of phobias) | ||
| Hypsography | study of measuring heights (see list of branches of science) | ||
| hysterectomy | (noun) the surgical removal of all or part of the uterus. | ||
| hysteria | (noun) 1 a disorder of the nerves, causing a person to laugh or cry violently, have imaginary illnesses, etc (she suffers from bouts of hysteria). 2 lack of control, uncontrolled excitement (the mass hysteria of the crowd when the president was killed). | ||
| hysterical | (adjective) 1 suffering from hysteria. 2 caused by hysteria (a hysterical illness). 3 (inf) very funny (a hysterical sight). | ||
| hysterics | (noun) 1 a fit of hysteria (she went into hysterics when she heard of his death). 2 (inf) an uncontrollable fit of laughter (the audience were in hysterics at the comic’s jokes) | ||
I
| I | meaning the person speaking or writing. | ||
| I, i | the ninth letter of the alphabet. | ||
| I’ll | I will. | ||
| I’m | I am. | ||
| I’ve | a shortened form of I have. | ||
| Iamatology | study of remedies (see list of branches of science) | ||
| iamb | Collective noun for poets (An iamb of poets) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Iatrology | study of medicine, treatise or text on medical topics (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Iatrophobia | fear of going to the doctor or of doctors (see list of phobias) | ||
| ice | 1 frozen water (take some ice from the freezer for the drinks). vb 1 to cool in ice. 2 to cover with icing. | ||
| Ice Age | a time when large amounts of ice and glaciers cover many areas of the earth. | ||
| ice cap | a dome-shaped mass of ice that spreads slowly outward from the center. | ||
| ice cream | 1 cream or a mixture of creamy substances flavored, sweetened, and frozen (a store selling ice cream). 2 a portion of ice cream (buy two ice creams). | ||
| ice fishing | fishing on a frozen lake or stream through a hole in the ice. | ||
| ice floe | a large sheet of floating ice. | ||
| ice pack | ice collected and put into a bag or container of some kind, used to cool things down (put the ice pack in the cooler for the picnic/put an ice pack on her knee to reduce the swelling). | ||
| ice pick | a sharp, pointed metal tool used to chip ice pieces away from a larger block of ice. | ||
| ice skate | footwear with a blade on the bottom, used for skating on the ice. | ||
| iceboat | a light boat-like frame set on runners and designed to be ridden on ice by wind going through a sail. | ||
| icebox | a cabinet, box, or room with ice in it for keeping things cold. | ||
| icebreaker | a ship designed for cutting its way through ice. | ||
| Ichnology | study of fossilized footprints (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ichthyology | study of fish (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ichthyophobia | fear of fish (see list of phobias) | ||
| ichthyosaur | a huge fish-like prehistoric reptile. | ||
| icicle | a long, hanging, pointed piece of ice formed by the freezing of falling water (icicles hanging from the roof). | ||
| icily | in an icy manner, very coldly. | ||
| icing | a mixture of sugar and liquid, used to cover cakes (cover the cake with chocolate icing). Also frosting. | ||
| icon | 1 a religious picture or statue, an image. 2 a famous person or thing that many people admire and regard as a symbol of a way of life or set of beliefs. 3 a small symbol on a computer screen that represents a program or file (click on that icon using the mouse). adj iconic | ||
| Iconography | study of drawing symbols (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Iconology | study of icons; symbols (see list of branches of science) | ||
| icy | 1 very cold (icy weather). 2 covered with ice (icy roads). 3 unfriendly (an icy stare). | ||
| ID | abbreviation for identification (sense 2). | ||
| idea | 1 a plan, thought, or suggestion (I have an idea for a book). 2 a picture in the mind (an idea of the house that they are looking for). 3 an opinion or belief (political ideas). | ||
| ideal | 1 a perfect example (her ideal of what a husband should be). 2 high principles or perfect standards, a person’s standard of behavior, etc (a person of high ideals). adj 1 perfect (an ideal wife eye-dee-lee/. | ||
| idealism | the desire to achieve perfection, the state of having high principles or perfect standards (he is full of idealism about marriage). n idealist adj idealistic | ||
| idealize | also idealise (British spelling) to think of as perfect or better than reality (he gives an idealized account of life at the beginning of the century). | ||
| identical | 1 the very same (this is the identical car that was here yesterday). 2 the same, exactly alike (they were wearing identical dresses). | ||
| identification | 1 act of recognizing (identification of the mysterious gentleman was difficult). 2 something that is proof of or a sign of identity, often abbreviated to ID (you require identification to get into the club). 3 the feeling that one shares ideas, feelings, etc, with another person (her identification with the unhappy woman whom she was reading about). | ||
| identify | 1 to think of as being the same (she identifies wealth with happiness). 2 to recognize as being a certain person or thing (she had to identify her attacker in a line-up). 3 to discover or recognize (identified the cause of the problem). | ||
| identity | 1 (formal) the state of being the same. 2 who a person is (have to prove her identity). | ||
| Ideogeny | study of origins of ideas (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ideology | study of ideas (see list of branches of science) | ||
| ideology | 1 the study of the nature and origin of ideas. 2 a system of ideas (political ideologies). | ||
| Ideophobia | fear of ideas (see list of phobias) | ||
| idiocy | 1 the state of being an idiot. 2 a foolish action (the idiocies committed by fast drivers in the fog). | ||
| idiom | 1 the language or dialect of a certain group of people (the idiom of American English). 2 a group of words that together have an unexpected meaning different from the exact sense (the expression “white elephant” is an idiom for an object that is of value to someone other than the owner). | ||
| Idiomology | study of idiom, jargon or dialect (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Idiopsychology | study of the psychology of one's own mind (see list of branches of science) | ||
| idiosyncrasy | an odd way of behaving (it is one of her idiosyncrasies to talk to herself). adj idiosyncratic (an idiosyncratic habit of putting salt on pudding). | ||
| idiot | 1 (old or fml) a person with very low intelligence. 2 a foolish or stupid person (he was an idiot to drive without a license). adj idiotic adv idiotically | ||
| idle | 1 doing nothing, not working, not in use (workers forced to be idle for lack of work eye-dul-ness eyed-ler eyed-lee/. | ||
| idol | 1 a statue or other object that is worshipped. 2 a person regarded with too much love and respect (he made an idol out of his father). | ||
| idolize, idolise | to love or admire very greatly (he idolizes his wife although she is not very pleasant). | ||
| idyll | a poem about simple country life (an idyll about a shepherd and his sweetheart). | ||
| idyllic | 1 perfectly happy, pleasant (an idyllic marriage). 2 charming, picturesque (they found a cottage in an idyllic setting). | ||
| if | on condition that, in case, supposing (if I were you). | ||
| igloo | a house or hut, usually dome-shaped, made of blocks of frozen snow. | ||
| igneous | (of rocks) formed from lava from a volcano. | ||
| ignite | 1 to set fire to (drop a match and ignite the gasoline). 2 to catch fire (the gasoline leaking from the car ignited). | ||
| ignition | 1 act of setting fire to. 2 the part of a motor engine that sets fire to the fuel that drives the engine (turn the key in the ignition). | ||
| ignoble | 1 (formal) mean, dishonorable (an ignoble action). 2 (old) of low birth. | ||
| ignoramus | a person with little or no knowledge (she’s an ignoramus about cooking). | ||
| ignorance | 1 want of knowledge (his ignorance of mathematics). 2 lack of awareness or knowledge (his ignorance of what they were really doing). | ||
| ignorant | 1 having little or no knowledge (ignorant about financial matters). 2 unaware of (he was ignorant of the true facts). | ||
| ignore | to take no notice of, to refuse to pay attention to (she completely ignored her old friend ignoring his advice). | ||
| iguana | any of a large family of lizards with spines along its back and that eats vegetation or insects. | ||
| ihram | 1 a costume worn by Muslims when traveling to Mecca consisting of one piece of white cotton around the waist and hips and another over the shoulder. 2 the rules that have to be followed when dressed in this way. | ||
| ill | 1 sick (ill patients). 2 bad (ill health). 3 evil, harmful (ill luck). n 1 evil, harm (wish him ill). 2 trouble (all the ills of the world). adv badly (treat him ill). | ||
| ill will | unfriendly feeling, hate, dislike. | ||
| illegal | against the law. n illegality | ||
| illegible | that cannot be read, badly written (illegible handwriting). | ||
| illegitimate | born of unmarried parents (his illegitimate daughter). n illegitimacy | ||
| illicit | unlawful, against the law (the illicit trade in drugs). | ||
| Illinois | a member of a group of native American people who lived in northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin and parts of Iowa and Missouri, the language spoken by these people. | ||
| illiterate | 1 unable to read or write (illiterate people seeking help with reading lessons). 2 uneducated (an illiterate note). n illiteracy | ||
| illness | sickness, the state of being unwell (off work because of illness/childhood illnesses). | ||
| illogical | 1 not using reasoning, not reasonable (illogical people). 2 against the rules of reasoning (his action was completely illogical). n illogic the state of being illogical. | ||
| illuminate | 1 (old) to light up (strings of little lights illuminating the garden). 2 (of books, etc) to decorate with bright colors (early illuminated manuscripts prepared by monks). 3 to explain, to make clear (please illuminate a few points in the legal agreement). | ||
| illumination | (formal) 1 a lighting up. 2 decorative lights (the town’s Christmas illuminations). 3 a picture or decoration painted on a page of a book (illuminations on early manuscripts). 4 explanation, clarification (a few points in need of illumination). | ||
| illusion | 1 a deception, an unreal image or appearance (an optical illusion). 2 a wrong belief, a false idea (she had illusions that she was very beautiful). adj illusory | ||
| illusion | Collective noun for magicians (An illusion of magicians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| illusion | Collective noun for painters (An illusion of painters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| illusionist | a person who performs tricks that deceive the eye; a magician. | ||
| illusive | unreal. | ||
| illustrate | 1 to make clear by examples (illustrating the movement of traffic by a diagram). 2 to provide pictures for a book or magazine (she illustrates children’s books). | ||
| illustration | 1 an example that makes something easier to understand or demonstrates something (an illustration of his meanness). 2 a picture in a book or magazine (color illustrations). | ||
| illustrative | helping to explain (illustrative examples). | ||
| illustrious | (formal) famous. | ||
| Illyngophobia | fear of vertigo or feeling dizzy when looking down (see list of phobias) | ||
| image | 1 a likeness, form (an image in the mirror). 2 a likeness or copy of a person, etc, made of stone, wood, etc (images of famous people). 3 a statue or picture that is worshipped. 4 a picture formed of an object in front of a mirror or lens. 5 a picture in the mind (have an image of what life would be like in ten years). 6 the impression that a person or organization gives to the public (We must improve the firm’s image). | ||
| imagery | figures of speech, words chosen because they call up striking pictures in the mind (the poet’s use of imagery). | ||
| imaginable | that can be imagined. | ||
| imaginary | existing in the mind only, not real (a child with an imaginary friend). | ||
| imagination | 1 the power of inventing stories, persons, etc; creative ability (require a lot of imagination to write for children/a play showing a great deal of imagination). 2 the power of forming pictures in the mind (able to see it all in her imagination). 3 the seeing or hearing of things that do not exist (she said that she heard noises in the night but it was just her imagination). | ||
| imaginative | 1 having a good imagination (an imaginative person). 2 demonstrating imagination (an imaginative production of the play/imaginative designs). | ||
| imagine | 1 to form a picture in the mind (I can imagine her reaction). 2 to form ideas of things that do not exist or of events that have not happened (she imagined that she met an alien). 3 to suppose (I imagine that he will arrive on time). | ||
| imam | the leader of prayer in a Muslim mosque; any of various Muslim leaders. | ||
| imbalance | lack of balance. | ||
| imbecile | 1 (formal) a weak-minded person. 2 a fool, an idiot. n imbecility | ||
| imitate | to copy; to try to be, behave, or look the same as (imitating his voice i-mi-tay-tor/. | ||
| imitation | 1 act of imitating. 2 a copy (not the original painting but an imitation). | ||
| imitative | 1 done as a copy (an imitative piece of work). 2 fond of copying (an imitative poet). | ||
| immaculate | 1 (old) pure. 2 spotless, perfectly clean (immaculate white shorts). 3 perfect (an immaculate performance). | ||
| immaterial | 1 not consisting of matter, spiritual. 2 unimportant (it is immaterial how you get here as long as you do). | ||
| immature | 1 unripe. 2 not fully grown. 3 lacking experience and wisdom. n immaturity | ||
| immeasurable | huge, that cannot be measured, vast (immeasurable damage). | ||
| immediate | 1 happening at once (an immediate improvement). 2 direct, without anyone or anything coming between (her immediate successor). 3 near, close (her immediate surroundings). n immediacy the quality or condition of being immediate. | ||
| immediately | 1 at once (you must reply immediately). 2 closely (houses immediately next to the station). | ||
| immense | huge (an immense improvement i-men-si-tee/. | ||
| immerse | 1 to put into water (immersing the vegetables in boiling water). 2 to give a person’s whole attention to (immersed in his work). n immersion | ||
| immersion | Collective noun for Baptists (An immersion of Baptists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| immigrant | a person who immigrates, or moves to another country (immigrants came to America to start a new life). adj of or relating to immigrants. | ||
| immigrate | (formal) to enter and settle in a new country. n immigration | ||
| imminent | just about to happen, near in time (in imminent danger). n imminence | ||
| immobile | not moving, unable to move (lying there immobile as if dead i-mo-bi-li-tee i-mo-bi-lize/, also immobilise (British spelling) | ||
| immoderate | more than is proper, uncontrolled (immoderate spending). | ||
| immodest | (formal) 1 shameless, indecent (the immodest behavior of the young people i-mod-es-tee/. | ||
| immoral | wrong, evil, wicked (immoral actions i-maw-ra-li-tee/. | ||
| immoralist | an immoral person. | ||
| immortal | 1 living or lasting forever. 2 famous for all time (Shakespeare is immortal). | ||
| immortality | 1 everlasting life. 2 undying fame (the undoubted immortality of Shakespeare). | ||
| immortalize | also immortalise (British spelling) 1 to make immortal. 2 to make famous for all time (she was immortalized in a poem by her lover). | ||
| immovable | 1 not able to be moved (immovable objects). 2 not changing easily (immovable opinions). | ||
| immune | 1 free from, specially protected from (immune from taxation). 2 not to be infected by (immune from chicken pox because she has had it already). n immunity | ||
| immune system` | the system that protects the body from disease. | ||
| immunize | also immunise (British spelling) to inject disease germs into the blood stream to cause a mild attack of an illness and so make the person immune to it (immunizing the children against measles). | ||
| Immunogenetics | study of genetic characteristics of immunity (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Immunology | study of immunity (see list of branches of science) | ||
| immunology | the study of the immune system. | ||
| Immunopathology | study of immunity to disease (see list of branches of science) | ||
| imp | 1 in fairy tales, an evil spirit, a devil’s child. 2 a mischievous child (the little imp stole an apple). | ||
| impact | 1 the force with which one thing strikes another (thrown out of the car by the impact of it hitting the wall). 2 a collision (the car was wrecked on impact with the wall). 3 a strong effect or impression (the impact on the audience of the politician’s speech). | ||
| impair | to make worse, to weaken (his vision is impaired). | ||
| impale | to fix upon something sharp, to pierce (he fell out of the window and was impaled on the railings below). | ||
| impart | (formal) 1 to tell (impart new information). 2 to give or share (impart courage to his troops). | ||
| impartial | fair, just, not taking sides (an impartial judgment). | ||
| impartiality | fairness, treating all parties or persons in the same way. | ||
| impassive | 1 not showing strong feeling, not feeling pain (a totally impassive expression). 2 calm, unexcited (he remained impassive as the judge passed sentence). | ||
| impatience | Collective noun for wives (An impatience of wives) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| impatient | not willing to wait, easily angered by delay (a very impatient person im-pay-shense/. | ||
| impeach | 1 to charge with a crime. 2 to charge an important person with a crime (politicians impeached for accepting bribes). 3 (formal) to raise doubts about (impeach the character of the manager). n impeachment | ||
| impeccable | faultless (his behavior was impeccable). | ||
| imperative | 1 commanding. 2 necessary, urgent (it is imperative that we get more supplies). | ||
| imperfect | having faults, not perfect (goods that are slightly imperfect). n imperfection | ||
| imperial | 1 having to do with an empire or emperor (Great Britain’s former imperial power). 2 of a country that has control over other countries or colonies. 3 of or belonging to the British Imperial System of weights and measures. | ||
| impersonal | 1 not influenced by personal feelings (an impersonal account of the situation im-per-sna-lize/, also impersonalise (British spelling) | ||
| impersonate | to pretend to be someone else (she impersonated her older sister to get into the club). | ||
| impertinent | not showing proper manners, purposely disrespectful (punish the impertinent children). n impertinence | ||
| impetuous | acting without thinking first; rash, hasty (an impetuous young woman im-pe-che-wos-i-tee/. | ||
| impish | mischievous (an impish sense of humor). | ||
| implant | 1 to place in. 2 to fix firmly an idea or feeling in someone’s mind (the teacher implanted the idea of justice in his pupils’ minds). | ||
| implement | a tool, an instrument (garden implements). vb implement to put into practice (implement an agreement). | ||
| implicate | to show that a person is involved or connected with (an affair); to mix up in (when he was arrested his statement implicated two of his friends). | ||
| implication | something hinted at but not said openly (by implication he was accusing her of lying). | ||
| implicit | 1 understood but not said (his implicit criticism). 2 unquestioning, without doubts (implicit faith). | ||
| implode | to burst or collapse inward. n implosion | ||
| implore | to ask earnestly, to beg (imploring him to forgive her). | ||
| imply | to suggest something without saying it openly, to hint (he implied that she was lying). | ||
| impolite | (formal) rude, ill-mannered (impolite table manners). | ||
| import | to bring in goods from abroad (import silk from China). n import something brought in from abroad. n importer | ||
| important | 1 deserving great attention (an important book). 2 having results that affect many people (important decisions). 3 having a high position (important people in the land). n importance adv importantly | ||
| importation | an importing or being imported. | ||
| impose | 1 to lay on or place (as a duty, tax, etc). 2 to force to accept (imposing his authority on others). impose on to take advantage of, to exploit, to make unfair demands on (they imposed on her by getting her to babysit free of charge). | ||
| imposing | important looking, stately (an imposing building). | ||
| imposition | 1 the act of laying on or placing (the imposition of taxes). 2 a tax. 3 an unfair demand (it was an imposition to get him to give her a lift to work every day). | ||
| imposition | Collective noun for in-laws (An imposition of in-laws) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| impossible | not able to be done or achieved (an impossible dream). n impossibility | ||
| impostor, imposter | a person who pretends to be someone else, a deceiver (they realized he was an impostor when the real policeman turned up). | ||
| imposture | the act or practice of an impostor; fraud, deception. | ||
| impotent | lacking power, helpless, weak (impotent against the force of the storm/full of impotent rage). | ||
| impractical | not practical, not workable or useful. | ||
| imprecise | not precise, exact, or definite. | ||
| impregnate | 1 to fill with (water impregnated with salt). 2 to fertilize or make pregnant. | ||
| impress | 1 to mark by pressing into, to stamp (impress a pattern on the clay pots before firing them). 2 to fix in the mind (try to impress the details in her memory). 3 to stress, to emphasize the importance of (impress the need for them to hurry). adj impressible | ||
| impression | 1 the mark left by pressing or stamping (the impression of his heel in the mud). 2 the number of copies of a book printed at one time. 3 an effect on the mind or feelings (his appearance creates a bad impression). 4 a not very clear idea or memory (I have a vague impression that she left early). 5 an attempt to copy, in a humorous way, someone else’s voice, behavior, appearance, etc (he does impressions). | ||
| impression | Collective noun for mockingbirds (An impression of mockingbirds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| impressionable | easily influenced (impressionable people were fooled by him). | ||
| impressionism | a way of painting created by artists who attempted to represent scenes just as they appeared at a certain moment by using color and brush strokes in a specific way; also used to describe similar attempts in writing and music. | ||
| impressionist | 1 an artist who practices impressionism. 2 a person who does impressions of people, especially as a form of entertainment. Also adj. | ||
| impressive | 1 important looking (an impressive building). 2 causing deep feeling, such as admiration (an impressive performance). | ||
| imprint | 1 to make a mark by pressing or printing. 2 to fix in the memory (her sad expression is imprinted on my memory). n 1 that which is imprinted. 2 a publisher’s name, address, etc, on a book. | ||
| imprison | to put into prison, to shut in. | ||
| imprisonment | the act of imprisoning or the state of being imprisoned (the accused is facing imprisonment). | ||
| improbable | not likely to happen or to be true (an improbable ending to the story). n improbability | ||
| impromptu | not prepared (an impromptu speech). adv without preparation. | ||
| improper | 1 wrong (accused of improper use of the company’s funds). 2 not suitable, not polite (improper behavior on such a formal occasion). 3 indecent (make improper suggestions to a colleague). | ||
| improper fraction | a fraction greater than 1, in which the denominator is less than the numerator (e.g. 5/2). | ||
| impropriety | (formal) incorrect or impolite behavior, the quality of being improper (accused of impropriety in conducting the legal case). | ||
| improve | to make or become better (do something to improve the situation im-proov-ment/. | ||
| improvise | 1 to make something from material that is available (improvising a shelter). 2 to make something up at the moment required without preparation (the pianist had no music and so had to improvise). n improvisation | ||
| imprudent | rash, acting without forethought, unwise (it was imprudent of her to give up her job before she found another one). n imprudence | ||
| impudent | disrespectful, shameless, saucy (the impudent child stuck her tongue out at the teacher). n impudence | ||
| impulse | 1 a force causing movement (an electrical impulse). 2 a sudden desire or decision to act at once (she bought the new dress on impulse). | ||
| impulsive | 1 done without forethought (an impulsive decision to buy an expensive dress). 2 acting without thinking first (an impulsive young man). n impulsiveness | ||
| impure | 1 dirty, polluted (impure water). 2 mixed with something else (impure drugs). 3 sinful (impure thoughts). n impurity | ||
| in (preposition) | 1 contained or enclosed by (in the room). 2 wearing, clothed by (dressed in her best). 3 during the course of (done in a day). 4 at or before the end of (return in an hour). 5 being a member of or worker at (in the navy). | ||
| inability | lack of power, state of being unable (his inability to control his dog). | ||
| inaccessible | not able to be reached or approached (towns made inaccessible by the storm). | ||
| inaccurate | 1 not correct (an inaccurate answer to the mathematical problem). 2 not exact (an inaccurate description). n inaccuracy | ||
| inaction | idleness, lack of action (mayor accused of inaction following the floods). | ||
| inactive | 1 not taking much exercise (inactive office workers). 2 no longer working or operating (an inactive volcano). 3 not taking an active part (inactive members of the political party). | ||
| inadequate | 1 not good enough (inadequate attempts). 2 not sufficient (inadequate supplies). n inadequacy | ||
| inadmissible | not able to be allowed (evidence that is inadmissible in court). | ||
| inadvertent | 1 without care or attention (inadvertent damage). 2 not on purpose (an inadvertent insult). n inadvertence | ||
| inadvertently | not purposely (he inadvertently damaged his neighbor’s gate with his car). | ||
| inadvisable | not wise, not advisable. | ||
| inane | foolish, silly, lacking sense (make inane remarks). n inanity | ||
| inanimate | without life (rocks are inanimate objects). | ||
| inappropriate | not suitable, fitting, or proper (an inappropriate remark/wear inappropriate clothes). | ||
| inapt | not suitable, not appropriate, not proper (inapt humorous remarks at a serious meeting). | ||
| inarticulate | 1 not clear (an inarticulate account). 2 unable to express oneself clearly (too inarticulate to give a clear account of the accident). | ||
| inattentive | not attentive, neglectful, absent minded (inattentive pupils). | ||
| inaudible | that cannot be heard (inaudible remarks/the speaker was inaudible at the | ||
| inauspicious | unlucky, being a sign of bad luck to come (an inauspicious beginning). | ||
| inborn | existing in a person since birth, natural (an inborn ability to play musical instruments). | ||
| inbound | traveling or going inward. | ||
| inbounds | of or relating to putting the ball in play from out of bounds in a game of basketball (throw an inbounds pass). | ||
| inbred | 1 having become part of a person’s nature as a result of early training (her inbred politeness). 2 bred from closely related parents, resulting from inbreeding. | ||
| inbreed | to breed by mating closely related parents. | ||
| Inca | a member of a group of peoples in ancient Peru who had a highly developed civilization. | ||
| incalculable | very great, too many or too much to be counted (incalculable damage). | ||
| incandescent | white hot or glowing with heat. n incandescence vb incandesce | ||
| incantation | words sung or spoken as a spell or charm (witches reciting an incantation). | ||
| incapable | 1 not good at a job. 2 not able, helpless. n incapability | ||
| incapacitate | to make unfit or unable (incapacitated by his injured leg). | ||
| incapacity | 1 unfitness. 2 lack of ability. | ||
| incarcerate | (fml or hum) to imprison (incarcerated in jail). n incarceration | ||
| incense1 | a mixture of spices burned to give a sweet-smelling smoke. | ||
| incense2 | to make angry (he was incensed when the boy broke his window). | ||
| incentive | something for which someone is prepared to work hard, a reason for action (award a prize as an incentive to the pupils). | ||
| incessant | not stopping, going on all the time (incessant rain/her incessant complaining). | ||
| incest | 1 sexual actions between persons too closely related to marry legally. 2 sexual abuse of a child by a close relative. adj incestuous | ||
| inch | in the imperial system, one-twelfth of a foot in length. vb to move a little at a time (try to inch nearer the front of the crowd). | ||
| incidence | 1 the extent or rate of frequency of something (the incidence of burglaries in the area). 2 the act, fact, or manner of falling on or influencing. | ||
| incident | 1 a happening, an event (it was a sad incident in his life). 2 an event involving violence or law-breaking (police called to an incident in the house). | ||
| incidental | 1 happening as a result of something, though not the most important result (an incidental effect of the meeting). 2 accompanying (incidental music to the play). | ||
| incidentally | by the way (incidentally, it has started to rain). | ||
| incinerate | to burn to ashes (incinerating the garbage). | ||
| incinerator | a furnace for burning anything to ashes. | ||
| incise | to cut into with a sharp tool. adj incised | ||
| incision | 1 act of cutting. 2 a cut, a deep cut (the incision made by the surgeon). | ||
| incision | Collective noun for surgeons (An incision of surgeons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| incisive | clear and sharp, to the point (incisive criticism/incisive comments). | ||
| incisor | a cutting tooth in the front of the mouth. | ||
| incite | to stir up, to urge on (a speech that incited the crowd to take action). n incitement | ||
| inclement | (formal) 1 stormy, unpleasant (inclement weather). 2 merciless (an inclement judge). n inclemency | ||
| inclination | 1 a slope (a slight inclination in the road). 2 a bow (with an inclination of his head). 3 a liking, preference (have an inclination to travel). 4 a tendency (an inclination to think negatively). | ||
| incline | 1 to slope. 2 to bend (incline the head). 3 to move gradually off the straight way. be inclined to 1 to feel a desire or preference (I am inclined to accept their story). 2 to have a tendency to (he is inclined to be lazy). n a slope. | ||
| include | to count as a part or member (including them on the invitation list). n inclusion | ||
| inclusive | including everything mentioned or understood (Monday to Friday inclusive/a price inclusive of postage). | ||
| incognito | in disguise, under a false name (the prince was traveling incognito so as not to be recognized). f incognita | ||
| incoherent | 1 having no clear connection between the parts, muddled (an incoherent account of what had happened). 2 not speaking or writing clearly, difficult to follow or understand (she was so upset that she was incoherent). n incoherence | ||
| income | the money earned or gained (his annual income). | ||
| income tax | the tax charged on income. | ||
| incomparable | 1 that cannot be equaled (an incomparable performance). 2 having no equal (an incomparable pianist). | ||
| incompatible | 1 unable to get along (they loved each other but they were totally incompatible). 2 not in agreement (the statements from the witnesses were incompatible). n incompatibility | ||
| incompetent | 1 unable to do a job well, unskillful (an incompetent manager). 2 not good enough (an incompetent piece of work). n incompetence , incompetency | ||
| incomplete | unfinished (the poet’s final work is incomplete). | ||
| incomprehensible | that cannot be understood (incomprehensible behavior). n incomprehension | ||
| inconceivable | unable to be imagined (it seemed inconceivable that she could treat her own child so cruelly). | ||
| inconclusive | not final, not leading to a definite result. | ||
| inconsiderable | very small, of no importance (an inconsiderable difference). | ||
| inconsiderate | having no thought for the feeling of others, thoughtless (it is inconsiderate to play loud music late at night). | ||
| inconsistent | 1 not agreeing with what was said or done before or elsewhere (the judge’s decision is inconsistent with the one he made last week). 2 changeable, erratic (her work is extremely inconsistent). 3 contradictory (sending his children to private school is inconsistent with his political views). n inconsistency | ||
| inconsolable | not able to be comforted; broken-hearted (the young widow was inconsolable). | ||
| inconspicuous | not easily seen (try to make herself inconspicuous in the crowd by wearing dark clothes). | ||
| inconstant | 1 often changing. 2 not always behaving in the same way. n inconstancy | ||
| incontinent | unable to control the bladder and in-con-ti-nense/. | ||
| inconvenience | trouble, annoyance (apologize for any inconvenience caused by his absence). vb (formal) to cause trouble or difficulty (visitors who inconvenienced them by staying too late). | ||
| inconvenient | causing trouble, unsuitable (come at an inconvenient time). | ||
| incorporate | 1 to bring together in one (incorporating the smaller firm in the international company). 2 to make to form a part of, to include (incorporate their suggestions in his report). n incorporation | ||
| incorrect | 1 wrong (incorrect answers). 2 not according to accepted standards (incorrect behavior). | ||
| increase | to make or become greater in size or number (the number of club members has increased in-creess an increase in temperature). | ||
| incredibility | Collective noun for cuckolds (An incredibility of cuckolds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| incredible | 1 unbelievable, hard to believe (I find his story completely incredible). 2 amazing, wonderful (it was an incredible performance). n incredibility | ||
| incredulous | not willing to believe, unbelieving (she gave him an incredulous look). n incredulity | ||
| increment | an increase in money or value, often in salary (receive an annual increment). | ||
| incriminate | to show that a person has taken part in a crime (the accused tried to incriminate several other people in the bank robbery). | ||
| incubate | 1 to sit on eggs, to keep eggs warm until the young come out of them. 2 (of eggs) to be kept warm until the young birds come out. 3 (of a disease or infection) to develop until signs of disease appear. 4 to be holding in the body an infection that is going to develop into a disease (she must have been incubating chickenpox). | ||
| incubation | 1 act of incubating. 2 the time between the catching of a disease and the showing of symptoms (the incubation period of measles). | ||
| incubator | 1 an apparatus for hatching eggs. 2 an apparatus for keeping alive premature babies. | ||
| incurable | that cannot be cured (incurable diseases). | ||
| indebted | owing thanks, owing something to someone or something (indebted to them for their help). n indebtedness | ||
| indecent | 1 not decent, morally offensive, improper (indecent remarks). 2 not suitable, not in good taste (marry in indecent haste after her husband’s death). n indecency | ||
| indecision | doubt, hesitation, inability to make up the mind (full of indecision about whether to change jobs). | ||
| indecisive | 1 uncertain, having difficulty in making decisions (too indecisive to make up her mind and stick to the decision). 2 settling nothing (an indecisive verdict). | ||
| indeed | truly (yes indeed, he will be there). | ||
| indefensible | that cannot or should not be defended (his attitude toward her is indefensible). | ||
| indefinable | that cannot be clearly described or explained (an indefinable difference). | ||
| indefinite | 1 not fixed or exact, without clearly marked outlines or limits (guests staying for an indefinite time). 2 not clear, not precise, vague (give indefinite replies). | ||
| indelicate | 1 slightly indecent, improper (indelicate language for a lady). 2 lacking in tact (an indelicate question). n indelicacy | ||
| indent | 1 to make a notch or zigzag in (a coastline indented by the sea). 2 to begin a line of text in from the margin, e.g. at the beginning of a paragraph. 3 to order goods in writing. n an order for goods. | ||
| indentation | 1 a notch or piece cut out of a straight edge (the indentations in the coastline). 2 the starting of a line of text in from the margin. | ||
| independence | freedom to act or think as one likes, freedom (a colony that gained independence several hundred years ago). | ||
| independent | 1 thinking and acting for oneself (too independent to let others tell her what to do). 2 free from control by others (independent countries). 3 having enough money to live without working or being helped by others (financially independent/a woman of independent means). | ||
| in-depth | carefully worked out, thorough. | ||
| indescribable | that cannot be described (indescribable cruelty). | ||
| indestructible | that cannot be destroyed (indestructible courage). | ||
| indeterminable , indeterminate | not fixed, uncertain (indeterminate plans). | ||
| index | (pl indexes or indices ) 1 the pointer on the dial or scale of an instrument. 2 something that indicates or points to (the results of the opinion poll are an index to public opinion). 3 an alphabetical list of names, subjects, etc, at the end of a book (consult the index to see on what page the battle is mentioned). | ||
| indicate | 1 to point out, to show (arrows indicating the way to the X-ray department). 2 to be a sign of (her attitude indicates an unwillingness to go). 3 to show to be necessary or desirable (drastic action is indicated). | ||
| indication | a sign (she gave no indication that she intended to leave). | ||
| indicative | showing, being a sign of (a rash indicative of measles). | ||
| indicator | 1 a needle or pointer on a machine that indicates something or gives information about something (the indicator on the gasoline gage). 2 one of the lights on a car, truck, etc, that flashes to show which way the car is turning (her indicator was flashing left but she turned right). | ||
| indifference | lack of interest (he showed great indifference to their plight). | ||
| indifferent | 1 taking no interest, not caring (indifferent to the suffering of others/indifferent to whether he goes or stays). 2 neither good nor bad (rather an indifferent musical performance). | ||
| indigenous | born or growing naturally in a country (plants indigenous to America in-di-jeen/. | ||
| indigestible | not easily digested (food that he finds indigestible). | ||
| indigestion | illness or pain caused by failure to dissolve food properly in the stomach (certain foods give her indigestion). adj indigestive | ||
| indignant | angry, annoyed by what is unjust (she was indignant at the way she had been treated by the sales assistant in-dig-nay-shun/. | ||
| indignity | treatment that makes a person feel shame or loss of respect (suffer the indignity of being taken to the police station for questioning). | ||
| indigo | a blue dye obtained from certain plants. adj deep blue. | ||
| indirect | 1 not leading straight to the destination, roundabout (take an indirect route home). 2 not direct, not straightforward, not frank (give indirect answers to the questions). 3 not intended, not directly aimed at (an indirect result of the meeting). n indirection | ||
| indiscreet | 1 unwise, thoughtless. 2 done or said without thought of results. | ||
| indiscretion | 1 thoughtless behavior. 2 an act done without thought of its results. 3 lack of good judgment. | ||
| indiscriminate | taking no notice of differences, choosing without care (indiscriminate in their choice of books in-di-scri-mi-nay-shun/. | ||
| indispensable | that cannot be done without; absolutely necessary (no one is really indispensable). | ||
| indisputable | that cannot be denied or contradicted (his indisputable right to vote as he pleases). | ||
| indistinct | not seen or heard clearly, faint (her voice on the telephone was indistinct). | ||
| indistinguishable | that cannot be made out as being different or separate (the twins were indistinguishable from each other). | ||
| individual | 1 single (label each individual item). 2 intended for, used by, etc, one person only (individual attention). 3 special to one person (a very individual style of painting). n 1 a single person (the rights of the individual). 2 (informal) a person (a strange individual). | ||
| individualism | 1 the belief that the rights of the single person are more important than those of society. 2 the belief that the state exists for the individual and not the individual for the state. 3 a person’s individual character. | ||
| individualist | a person who believes in doing things in his or her own way (an individualist who disregards fashion). | ||
| individuality | a person’s own character and qualities (express her individuality in her style of dress). | ||
| individualize | also individualise (British spelling) to mark as different from other persons or things, to suit the taste, requirements, etc, of a particular individual. | ||
| individually | separately, one by one (they went individually to see the principal). | ||
| indivisible | that cannot be divided (an indivisible number). | ||
| indoctrinate | 1 to instruct in a belief (indoctrinating children with the idea that qualifications are important). 2 to bring to accept a system of belief unquestioningly (indoctrinating children with his own political ideas). | ||
| indoor | done in a house or building (an indoor sport). | ||
| indoors | within doors, inside a house (hold the party indoors). | ||
| inducement | something that leads a person to try to do something, an attractive reason for doing something (offer her the inducement of a company car to get her to stay). | ||
| indulge | 1 to take pleasure in something, without trying to control oneself (indulging in too much rich food). 2 to give in to the wishes of (indulge her child too much/indulge herself by going on a shopping trip). | ||
| indulgence | 1 act of indulging. 2 in the R C Church, a release from the punishment that is due to sinners. | ||
| indulgent | kindly, easygoing, ready to give in to the wishes of others (parents who are too indulgent). | ||
| industrial | having to do with the manufacturing of goods (an industrial, rather than an agricultural, country). | ||
| Industrial Revolution | the change in social and economic organization, resulting from replacing hand tools with machine and power tools, and the development of mass production, beginning in England about 1760 and spreading to other countries. | ||
| industrialism | social and economic organization featuring large industries, machine production, concentration of workers in cities, etc. | ||
| industrious | hard-working, busy, skillful, clever (industrious children studying for their exams). | ||
| industry | 1 (formal) the ability to work hard (he owes his success to industry as well as ability). 2 in trade or commerce, the work that is done to make goods ready for selling; the manufacturing and selling of goods (workers involved in industry rather than agriculture). | ||
| inedible | that should not or cannot be eaten (salty food that was totally inedible). | ||
| ineffective | useless, having no effect (ineffective methods i-ne-fec-tiv-ness/. | ||
| ineffectual | 1 not having the desired effect (ineffectual remedies). 2 powerless, not able to get things done (ineffectual people). | ||
| inefficient | 1 not good at a job, unable to do the job required (sack the inefficient workers). 2 not producing results in the best, quickest, and i-ni-fi-shen-see/. | ||
| inept | 1 clumsy, awkward (an inept attempt at making a dress). 2 foolishly unsuitable (embarrass them by her inept remarks). | ||
| ineptitude | 1 clumsiness, awkwardness. 2 foolish unsuitability. | ||
| inequality | lack of equality, unevenness (inequalities in the law). | ||
| inert | 1 without the power to move (lying inert on the bed as if dead). 2 not wanting to take action, not taking action (she remained inert as though she could not think of what to do). 3 not acting chemically when combined with other substances (inert gases). | ||
| inertia | 1 unwillingness or inability to move (feelings of inertia caused by the heat). 2 the inability of matter to set itself in motion or to stop moving. | ||
| inescapable | that cannot be avoided. | ||
| inevitable | certain to happen (defeat seemed inevitable). n inevitability | ||
| inexact | not quite correct (an inexact science i-nig-zac-ti-chood/. | ||
| inexcusable | that cannot be forgiven or pardoned (inexcusable behavior). | ||
| inexpensive | cheap, not expensive (inexpensive presents for Christmas stockings). | ||
| inexperience | lack of skill or practice (the accident was caused by the driver’s inexperience). adj inexperienced | ||
| inexplicable | that cannot be explained, understood, or accounted for (inexplicable delays). | ||
| infallible | 1 unable to make a mistake (supposedly infallible judges). 2 that cannot fail (supposedly infallible methods). n infallibility | ||
| infamous | having a bad reputation, famous for something bad or wicked (infamous criminals). n infamy the quality of being infamous, an infamous act. | ||
| infancy | 1 babyhood (she died in infancy). 2 the early stages of anything (the computer industry was in its infancy then). | ||
| infant | a very young child, a baby. | ||
| infantile | 1 childish (the infantile behavior of the two men). 2 having to do with infants (infantile diseases). | ||
| infantry | foot soldiers. | ||
| infatuate | 1 to make foolish. 2 to inspire with foolish love or affection. | ||
| infatuated | loving foolishly or unreasonably (the young girl is infatuated with a much older man). n infatuation | ||
| infect | 1 to pass on a disease to another (the hotel worker infected others with the illness). 2 to make impure by spreading disease into it (food that is infected). 3 to pass on or spread (infect others with his love of life). | ||
| infection | the passing on or spreading of disease, or anything harmful. | ||
| infectious | that can be passed on to others (infectious diseases/infectious laughter). | ||
| infer | (inferred , inferring ) 1 to work out an idea from the facts known (what can we infer from the evidence given). 2 (informal) to suggest by hints. | ||
| inference | an idea or conclusion worked out from the known facts. | ||
| inferior | 1 of lesser value or importance (people of inferior qualifications were promoted before her). 2 of bad quality (inferior goods). n a person lower in rank (he is her inferior in the company’s staff structure). | ||
| infertile | not fertile, barren. | ||
| infest | to be present in very large numbers in (a building infested with mice). | ||
| infiltrate | 1 to pass through, a few at a time (soldiers infiltrating enemy lines). 2 to enter and secretly, gradually become part of, usually with an unfriendly purpose (enemy spies infiltrated the government department). n infiltration | ||
| infinite | 1 having neither beginning nor end, limitless (infinite space). 2 (informal) very great (with infinite patience). | ||
| infinitive | the form of a verb that expresses action without referring to a person, number, or tense (e.g. to go, to live, to see). | ||
| infinity | 1 space, time, or quantity that is without limit or is immeasurably great or small (the grassy plains seemed to stretch into infinity). 2 an indefinitely large number, quantity, or distance. | ||
| infirm | weak, sickly (infirm old people unable to live alone). | ||
| infirmary | a hospital. | ||
| infirmity | illness, weakness (old people suffering from a range of infirmities). | ||
| inflammable | 1 easily set on fire (children’s nightwear should not be made of inflammable material). 2 excitable. | ||
| inflammation | a swelling on part of the body, accompanied by heat and pain (inflammation of the tonsils). | ||
| inflammatory | causing excitement or anger (an inflammatory speech). | ||
| inflate | 1 to puff up (her success inflated her sense of her own importance). 2 to make to swell by filling with air or gas (inflate the tire in-flat-ta-bul/. | ||
| inflation | 1 act of inflating. 2 a situation in a country’s economy where prices and wages keep forcing each other to increase. adj inflationary | ||
| inflexible | 1 that cannot be bent; stiff and firm (inflexible materials). 2 not easily changed (inflexible attitudes). 3 not giving in (we tried to persuade her to change her mind but she was inflexible). n inflexibility | ||
| inflict | to force something unpleasant or unwanted on someone (inflict pain on his parents/inflict a heavy burden on them). | ||
| infliction | 1 the act of inflicting. 2 punishment. | ||
| in-flight | done, occurring, shown, etc, while an aircraft is in flight (the in-flight movie was very boring). | ||
| influence | 1 the ability to affect other people or the course of events (his childhood unhappiness had an influence on his way of thinking). 2 the power to make requests to those in authority (he has some influence with the local authorities). vb to have an effect on (she tried not to influence the decision). | ||
| influential | having power, important (influential people in the community). | ||
| influenza | a type of infectious illness, usually causing headache, fever, cold symptoms, etc. abbreviation flu (she was ill with flu for over a week). | ||
| infomercial | a long television commercial to introduce a product and tell, show, etc what it is capable of. | ||
| inform | 1 to tell, to give information (inform her of the changes/inform him that she was leaving). 2 to teach, to give knowledge to. 3 to tell facts to the police or authorities about a criminal, etc (he informed against his fellow thieves). | ||
| informal | 1 without ceremony (an informal dance). 2 not bound by rules or accepted ways of behaving (an informal agreement). 3 suitable for ordinary everyday situations (informal clothes in-fawr-ma-li-tee/. | ||
| information | facts told; knowledge in the form of facts, news, etc (receive information about new products). | ||
| information technology | the use of computers and other electronic equipment to produce, store, and communicate information. | ||
| informative | giving news or facts (an informative television documentary). | ||
| informer | someone who gives away the plans of others (a police informer). | ||
| infrequent | not happening often. n infrequency | ||
| infuriate | to madden, to make very angry (she was infuriated by his superior attitude toward women). | ||
| infuse | 1 to put into (infuse some enthusiasm into the class). 2 to steep in hot liquid (as in making tea) (infusing chamomile flowers to make a herbal tea). | ||
| infusion | 1 act of infusing. 2 a liquid given taste or color by something steeped in it (an infusion of chamomile flowers). | ||
| ingenious | 1 having good or new ideas, inventive (ingenious at thinking of ways to keep the children entertained). 2 cleverly thought out (an ingenious plan). | ||
| ingenuity | 1 cleverness, inventiveness (the ingenuity of the plan). 2 the ability to invent; cleverness (she used her ingenuity to make a meal from very few ingredients). | ||
| ingot | a bar or block of metal, especially gold or silver, got from a mold. | ||
| ingrained | fixed firmly in (an ingrained sense of duty in-grain/. | ||
| ingratitude | Collective noun for children (An ingratitude of children) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| ingredient | one of the things in a mixture (the ingredients for a cake/the ingredients for a happy life). | ||
| ingrown | grown within, inward, or into, especially grown into the flesh (an ingrown hair). n ingrowth | ||
| inhabit | to live in (an area mainly inhabited by retired people). | ||
| inhabitable | that can be lived in (houses that are inhabitable). | ||
| inhabitant | a person who lives in a certain place (the older inhabitants of the town). | ||
| inhabited | having inhabitants, lived in, occupied. | ||
| inhalation | 1 act of breathing in (the inhalation of car exhaust fumes). 2 something that is breathed in (prepare an inhalation to try to cure her cold). | ||
| inhale | to breathe in (inhaling the smoke from other people’s cigarettes is not good for your health). | ||
| inhaler | a device for giving medicine in the form of a vapor by inhalation. | ||
| inherit | 1 to receive something from another at his or her death (inherited his father’s estate). 2 to receive certain qualities through the parents (inherit his mother’s good looks). n inheritor | ||
| inheritance | that which is inherited (he has spent most of his inheritance already). | ||
| inhibit | 1 to prevent or hinder, to hold back from doing (a tight skirt that inhibited walking in-hi-bi-tor/. | ||
| inhibited | unable to relax and express feelings in an open and natural way (too inhibited to speak in public). | ||
| inhibition | a belief or fear of which a person is not aware but which may prevent him or her from performing certain actions (have inhibitions about being seen in a swimsuit). | ||
| inhospitable | not welcoming visitors, not kind to strangers (it was inhospitable not to offer the visitors anything to eat or drink). n inhospitality | ||
| inhuman | not having the qualities considered normal to, or for, humans; cruel, brutal, unkind. | ||
| inhumane | unmoved by the suffering of others, cruel, merciless, brutal, unkind. | ||
| inhumanity | the quality or condition of being inhuman or inhumane. | ||
| inimitable | that cannot be copied, too good to be equalled (an inimitable performance). | ||
| initial | first, happening at the beginning (the initial reaction was favorable). adv initially vb (initialed , initialing ) to mark or write initials (initial the order form to authorize it). npl the first letters of each of a person’s names. | ||
| initiate | 1 to begin (initiating a new system of accounting). 2 to teach the ways of a society to a new member (the boys initiated their friend into their club). n initiation | ||
| initiative | 1 the ability to make decisions and take action without asking for help and advice (he had to use his initiative when he was stranded on the island). 2 the first movement or action that starts something happening (take the initiative in organizing the garage sale). | ||
| inject | 1 to put into the bloodstream through a hollow needle (injected with a drug to fight the infection). 2 to put in (her arrival injected some life into the party). n injection | ||
| injure | 1 to hurt (she was badly injured in the car accident). 2 to harm, to damage (the incident injured his reputation). | ||
| injury | 1 damage, harm, hurt (an accident that caused injury to his spine/injury to his reputation). 2 a physical hurt or wound (he died later from his injuries). | ||
| injustice | 1 unfairness (felt there was injustice in the way he was treated). 2 an unfair act (complain about the injustices of the system). | ||
| ink | a colored liquid used for writing or printing. vb to mark with ink. | ||
| inkblot | any of a group of irregular patterns made by blots of ink and used in certain kinds of tests, as for the way a person thinks. | ||
| inkjet | of a high-speed printing process in which ink droplets are formed into printed characters on paper. | ||
| inky | 1 stained with ink (inky hands). 2 like ink in color, dark (an inky sky). | ||
| inland | the part of a country away from the sea coast or border. adj 1 having to do with a country’s own affairs (inland trade). 2 away from the coast or border (inland waterways). Also adv. | ||
| in-law | a relative by marriage. | ||
| inlay | (pt, pp inlaid ) to decorate by filling carved designs with gold, silver, ivory, etc (he inlaid the box with precious stones). adj inlaid n | ||
| inlet | 1 a way in (a fuel inlet). 2 a small bay (boats sheltering in an inlet). | ||
| in-line skate | a kind of roller skate having wheels arrange in a straight line like a blade from toe to heel. | ||
| inmate | a person living with others in the same house, hospital, prison, etc. | ||
| inmost | farthest in (the inmost depths of the cave). | ||
| inn | an establishment where travelers may pay to eat, drink, and/or stay for the night. | ||
| innards | the inner parts of anything. | ||
| innate | existing naturally rather than being acquired; that seems to have been in a person since birth. | ||
| inner | farther in (the inner room). | ||
| innkeeper | the person who is in charge of an inn. | ||
| innocence | freedom from blame or wickedness (the innocence of the young children/try to prove his innocence). | ||
| innocent | 1 not guilty (innocent of the crime/innocent people accused). 2 having no knowledge or experience of evil (innocent young children). | ||
| innocuous | harmless (drugs thought to be innocuous/a perfectly innocuous remark). | ||
| innovation | 1 a new way of doing something, a new thing or idea (innovations in marketing methods). 2 the introduction of new things or ideas (he is set in his ways and dislikes innovation). vb innovate to renew, to introduce new ways of doing things. | ||
| innuendo | (pl innuendoes or innuendos ) 1 a way of speaking that makes one understand what is meant without actually saying it (a newspaper that goes in for innuendo). 2 an indirect hint (he made innuendoes about where she got all the money). | ||
| innumerate | unable to do math and arithmetical problems. | ||
| inoculate | to infect slightly with the germs of a disease to prevent more serious infection (inoculating the children against measles). n inoculation | ||
| inoffensive | not causing harm or trouble (a quiet inoffensive man/be insulted at a perfectly inoffensive remark). | ||
| inpatient | a patient who is lodged and kept in a hospital for more than a day. | ||
| input | 1 the act of putting in. 2 what is put in, as in the amount of money, material, effort, opinion, etc. | ||
| inquire, enquire | 1 to ask (inquire the way to the station). 2 to ask for information about (inquire about times of trains to New York). 3 to try to discover the facts of (the police are inquiring into the accident). | ||
| inquiring | seeking information, curious (an inquiring mind). | ||
| inquiry, enquiry | 1 a question (reply to his inquiry about times of trains). 2 a careful search for information, an investigation (an official inquiry into the train accident). | ||
| inquisition | 1 (formal) an official inquiry (subjected to an inquisition about his movements on the previous evening). 2 (old) an examination consisting of a series of questions. n inquisitor | ||
| inquisitive | seeking information, especially about other people (inquisitive neighbors). | ||
| inroad | a raid, a sudden attack. | ||
| insane | 1 mentally ill (a murderer declared insane). 2 (informal) very unwise, very foolish (it was insane to give up his job). | ||
| insanity | the state of being insane; mental illness. | ||
| inscribe | to write in a book or engrave on stone, etc (the words inscribed on the tombstone). | ||
| inscription | words written on something, often as a tribute (the inscription on the tombstone). | ||
| insect | any of a large group of small creatures that have a body divided into three sections, six legs, and usually wings. | ||
| Insectology | study of insects (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Insectophobia | fear of insects (see list of phobias) | ||
| insecure | 1 anxious and unsure of oneself, lacking confidence (children feeling insecure when their parents separated). 2 (formal) not safe, likely to be lost (an insecure job). 3 (formal) not safe or firmly fixed (the insecure leg of the table). n insecurity | ||
| insensible | 1 too small to be noticed (an insensible change). 2 without feeling, indifferent (insensible to their distress). 3 unconscious (knocked insensible by the blow). | ||
| insensitive | 1 not noticing the feelings of others. 2 not quick to feel or notice. | ||
| inseparable | that cannot be put apart (the two issues are inseparable/childhood friends who were inseparable). | ||
| insert | to put in or among (insert the key in the lock). | ||
| insertion | 1 something inserted (an advertising insertion in the newspaper). 2 the act of inserting (the insertion of the key in the lock). | ||
| inset | an extra piece set in, e.g. a small picture in a larger one. vb inset (insetting ). | ||
| inside | 1 the inner side or part (the inside of the house). 2 pl (informal) the internal organs, stomach, bowels. adj 1 internal (inside furniture). 2 known only to insiders, secret (inside information). adv 1 on or in the inside, within, indoors. 2 (informal) in prison. (preposition) in or within. | ||
| insider | 1 a person inside a given place or group. 2 a person having, or likely to have, secret information. | ||
| insidious | developing gradually, without being noticed, and causing harm (cancer is an insidious disease). | ||
| insight | ability to see the real meaning or importance of something, thorough knowledge (his poverty-stricken childhood gave him an insight into the lives of the homeless). adj insightful | ||
| insignia | badges of rank, membership, or honor (the insignia of his regiment). | ||
| insignificant | of little importance (an insignificant sum of money in-sig-ni-fi-canse/. | ||
| insincere | not meaning what is said, false, not truly meant (his sympathy was insincere in-sin-se-ri-tee/. | ||
| insinuate | 1 to make way gradually and cunningly (insinuating herself into her aunt’s favor to receive money). 2 to hint in an unpleasant way (she insinuated that he was not honest). n insinuation | ||
| insipid | 1 having no taste or flavor (insipid food). 2 uninteresting, dull (an insipid story). | ||
| insist | 1 to state firmly, to demand or urge strongly (he insisted on paying the bill). 2 to keep on saying (she insisted that she was innocent). | ||
| insistent | 1 firm (he was insistent that we all go home). 2 wanting immediate attention (her insistent demands). n insistence | ||
| insolation | 1 the act of insolating. 2 the treatment of sickness by exposure to sunlight. | ||
| insole | the inside sole of a shoe. | ||
| insolent | rude, boldly insulting or disrespectful (an insolent stare). n insolence | ||
| insoluble | 1 impossible to dissolve (a chemical insoluble in water). 2 that cannot be solved (an insoluble problem). | ||
| insomnia | sleeplessness (suffering from insomnia). | ||
| inspect | to look at closely, to examine (inspect the work/officials from the insurance company inspecting the damage). | ||
| inspection | an examination (a troop inspection). | ||
| inspector | 1 someone who inspects. 2 someone who examines the work of others to see that it is done properly. 3 a rank of police officer. | ||
| inspectorate | a body or group of inspectors (the school inspectorate). | ||
| inspiration | 1 (formal) the breathing in of air. 2 a person or thing that encourages a person to use his or her powers, gifts, talent, etc (the poet’s work was an inspiration to young writers). 3 the encouragement so given (she provided the inspiration for his latest novel). adj inspirational | ||
| inspire | 1 (formal) to breathe in (he was asked by the doctor to inspire). 2 to encourage someone with the desire and ability to take action by filling with eagerness, confidence, etc (she was inspired to work hard by her mother’s example). 3 to be the force that produces something, to be the origin of (she inspired his love of poetry). 4 to arouse in someone (inspiring confidence in others). | ||
| instability | unsteadiness (the instability of his character). | ||
| install | 1 to place in office, especially with ceremony (install the new bishop). 2 to put in place (have central heating installed). n installation | ||
| installment | 1 payment of part of a sum of money owed (the first installment on the television set). 2 part of a serial story published or broadcast at one time. | ||
| instance | an example (several instances of car theft in the area). for instance for example. vb to give or quote as an example (instancing violence as one of the features of modern life). | ||
| instancy | urgency. | ||
| instant | 1 immediate (demand instant attention). 2 pressing or urgent (an instant need). 3 concentrated or precooked for quick preparation (instant soup). n 1 a moment (he did not believe her for an instant). 2 the exact moment (he loved her the instant he saw her). adv instantly at once (she died instantly). | ||
| instantaneous | happening or done very quickly (an instantaneous reaction). | ||
| instate | to put in a particular status, position, or rank. | ||
| instead | in place of (he attended the meeting instead of his father). | ||
| instep | the upper part of the foot between the ankle and the toes. | ||
| instill | (instilled , instilling ) to put in the mind little by little (instill the need for honesty into him from an early age). | ||
| instinct | a natural tendency to behave or react in a particular way without having been taught (in winter birds fly south by instinct/instinct made them run from danger). | ||
| instinctive | done at once without thinking, natural (she had an instinctive urge to run away). | ||
| institute | to set up for the first time (instituting a new computer system). n 1 a society working to achieve a certain purpose (the Women’s Institute). 2 the building in which such a society meets or works. | ||
| institution | 1 an organization, usually a long-established or well-respected one (schools, hospitals, and other institutions). 2 the building used by such an organization. 3 an accepted custom or tradition (the institution of marriage). adj institutional | ||
| institutionalize | also institutionalise (British spelling) 1 to make into an institution. 2 to place in an institution. | ||
| instruct | 1 to teach (instruct the children in French). 2 to order (she instructed her children to arrive home early). | ||
| instruction | 1 teaching (receive instruction in French). 2 an order (his instructions were to leave immediately). 3 pl information on how to use something correctly (a leaflet giving instructions on how to put the furniture together). | ||
| instructive | giving knowledge or information (an instructive television show). | ||
| instructor | a teacher, a coach, someone who instructs (a sports instructor). | ||
| instrument | 1 a tool, especially one used for delicate work (surgical instruments). 2 a device producing musical sound (stringed instruments). 3 a device for measuring, recording, controlling, etc, especially in an aircraft (the pilot checked all the instruments before beginning the flight). | ||
| instrumental | 1 being the cause of (she was instrumental in getting him hired). 2 played on musical instruments (instrumental music). n instrumentality the state of being instrumental. | ||
| instrumentation | 1 the arrangement of music for instruments. 2 the act of using instruments, especially scientific instruments. 3 the instruments used. | ||
| insubstantial | 1 weak or flimsy. 2 not real, imaginary. | ||
| insufferable | unbearable (an insufferable bore). | ||
| insufficient | not enough (insufficient evidence). n insufficiency | ||
| insular | 1 (formal) having to do with an island. 2 narrow-minded (an insular outlook on life). | ||
| insularity | narrow-mindedness. | ||
| insulate | 1 to keep apart (a wealthy family insulated from the financial problems of ordinary people). 2 to cover with a special material to prevent the loss of electricity or heat. n insulation | ||
| insulator | a material that does not allow electricity or heat to pass through it. | ||
| insulin | a substance that if given as a medicine helps to use up the sugar in the body when there is too much of it (people suffering from diabetes sometimes have to take insulin). | ||
| insult | to speak rude or hurtful words to or of (she was insulted when he called her an old lady). n insult | ||
| insupportable | unbearable, not capable of being upheld or supported (insupportable burdens). | ||
| insure | to pay regular sums to a society on condition that the payer receives an agreed amount of money in case of loss, accident, death, etc (insuring his life in-shoo-ranse/. | ||
| insured | a person whose life, property, etc, is insured against loss or damage. | ||
| insurer | a person or company that insures others against loss or damage. | ||
| insurmountable | that cannot be passed over or overcome (insurmountable difficulties). | ||
| intact | untouched, unharmed, with no part missing (the police recovered the box of jewels intact/her self-confidence remained intact). | ||
| intake | the act or process of taking in (intake of breath). | ||
| intangible | 1 that cannot be touched (air is intangible). 2 not able to be clearly defined or understood (an intangible air of hopelessness). | ||
| integer | a whole number. | ||
| integral | necessary to make something complete (an integral part of the case against him). Also n. | ||
| integrate | 1 to join in society as a whole, to mix freely with other groups (newcomers trying to integrate into American life). 2 to fit parts together to form a whole (integrating everyone’s comments into the report on the conference). n integration | ||
| integrator | a person or thing that integrates. | ||
| integrity | 1 the state of being whole and undivided, completeness (integrity as a nation). 2 honesty, sincerity (a man of absolute integrity). | ||
| intellect | 1 the mind, the power to think and understand. 2 someone with great intellect (one of the world’s greatest intellects). | ||
| intellectual | 1 having a high intellect (her intellectual friends). 2 having to do with the intellect (intellectual interests). Also n. | ||
| intelligence | 1 cleverness, quickness of mind or understanding (the intelligence of the pupils). 2 (formal) news (receive intelligence of his death). | ||
| intelligent | having a quick mind, clever (intelligent pupils). | ||
| intelligible | clear, that can be understood (instructions that are scarcely intelligible). | ||
| intemperate | 1 lacking self-control, given to taking too much, especially strong drink (intemperate habits). 2 more than is desirable (an intemperate amount of alcohol). 3 excessive, unrestrained (intemperate language). 4 extreme (an intemperate climate). n intemperance | ||
| intend | 1 to have as a purpose (she intends to leave tomorrow). 2 to mean (the bullet was intended for the president). adj intended meant, planned for the future (his intended wife). | ||
| intense | 1 very great (intense heat). 2 very serious (intense young women). | ||
| intensify | to make greater or more severe (intensified their interest in the subject). n intensifier a person or thing that makes greater or more severe. | ||
| intension | 1 determination. 2 the quality of being intense, degree of intensity. | ||
| intensity | 1 strength (the intensity of the heat). 2 seriousness, earnestness (the intensity of the young poet). 3 great energy, emotion, thought. | ||
| intensive | increasing degree or amount (intensive care at the hospital). | ||
| intent | 1 attending carefully (intent on his work/with an intent expression). 2 eager, planning or wanting to do something (intent on going abroad). n (formal) purpose (it was his intent to move out of the area). | ||
| intention | purpose, aim in doing something (it was his intention to leave early). | ||
| intentional | done on purpose (intentional damage to his car). | ||
| inter | (interred , interring ) (formal) to bury (inter him in the churchyard). | ||
| inter- | prefix between, among. | ||
| interact | to act on each other (chemicals that interact). n interaction | ||
| intercede | 1 to try to settle a dispute or quarrel between others (interceding in the wage dispute between management and the union). 2 to speak in defense of another (he interceded with the king to save his friend’s life). | ||
| intercept | to stop or catch on the way from one place to another (intercept the enemy message). n interception | ||
| interchange | 1 to change places with each other. 2 to give and receive in return (interchange ideas). n an exchange. | ||
| interchangeable | that can be exchanged for each other (the two words are interchangeable). | ||
| interest | 1 something in which a person takes part eagerly (his main interests are tennis and football). 2 advantage (it was in his interest to agree). 3 eager attention (give the matter all his interest). 4 concern (of interest to all of us). 5 the money paid for the use of a loan of money (the rate of interest on his bank loan). vb to gain the attention of. | ||
| interesting | arousing interest (interesting information). | ||
| interface | the point at which two subjects affect each other or are connected (the interface between production and sales). | ||
| interfere | 1 to get in the way of, to prevent from working or happening (outside interests that interfere with his work). 2 to force oneself into the affairs of others (interfering in other people’s private business). 3 to touch or move something that is not supposed to be touched or moved (interfere with his private papers). | ||
| interference | 1 act of interfering (object to his interference in their affairs). 2 the interruption of radio broadcasts by atmospherics or other broadcasts. | ||
| intergalactic | existing or occurring between or among galaxies. | ||
| interim | the meantime, the time between two events (the new head arrives next week—in the interim the deputy head is in charge). adj acting for a time only (take interim measures). | ||
| interior | 1 inner. 2 inland. n 1 the inner part (the interior of the house). 2 the inland part (the interior of the country). | ||
| interject | 1 to say something short and sudden. 2 to put in a remark when another is speaking. | ||
| interjection | 1 a short word expressing surprise, interest, disapproval, etc (“Oh” is an interjection). 2 a remark made when another is speaking (the speaker objected to his rude interjections). | ||
| interlude | 1 an interval between the acts of a play, etc. 2 the music or other entertainment provided during such an interval. 3 a period of time that comes between two events or activities (a brief interlude of peace between the two wars). | ||
| intermediate | coming between two other things, in the middle (at an intermediate stage of the language course). | ||
| interminable | without, or apparently without, end; seeming to last forever. | ||
| intermission | an interval, a time between two parts (have a drink at the theater bar in the intermission). | ||
| intermittent | stopping for a time, then going on again; happening at intervals (intermittent showers). | ||
| intern | a person, especially a student, working in a professional field to gain experience in the work place. vb to detain or confine people, ships, etc, as during a war. n internment | ||
| internal | 1 having to do with the inside, especially of the body (internal organs). 2 of a person’s own country (internal trade). | ||
| international | having to do with several or many countries (an international trading treaty). n a person associated with two different countries. | ||
| Internet | the worldwide system of linked computer networks. | ||
| interplay | the action of one thing on another (the interplay of light and shade in his painting). | ||
| interpret | 1 to explain the meaning of (how do you interpret these lines of poetry?). 2 to understand the meaning to be (he interpreted her silence as a refusal). 3 to translate from one language into another (he spoke in French and his English assistant interpreted his speech for the audience). adj interpretive | ||
| interpretation | 1 act of interpreting. 2 the meaning given to a work of art by a critic or performer. | ||
| interpretation | Collective noun for psychotherapists (An interpretation of psychotherapists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| interpreter | someone who translates from one speaker’s language into another’s. | ||
| interracial | between, among, or involving members of different races. | ||
| interrogate | to put questions to (police interrogated the accused for several hours). | ||
| interrogation | the act of interrogating (the interrogation of the accused by the police). | ||
| interrogative | asking a question, having to do with questions (an interrogative remark). n a word used in asking questions (e.g. “why”). | ||
| interrupt | 1 to break flow of speech or action (interrupt the broadcast to announce the death of the president in-te-rup-ter/ a person who interrupts. | ||
| interruption | a remark or action that causes a stoppage (the noisy interruptions by the audience during the politician’s speech). | ||
| intersect | to cut across each other (the roads intersect outside the town). | ||
| intersection | the point at which lines or roads cross each other (an intersection without traffic lights). | ||
| intersperse | to scatter over, to put here and there (green fields interspersed with a few small woods). | ||
| interstate | between or among states. n a network of freeways that form a part of the national highway system of the United States. | ||
| interstellar | among or between the stars. | ||
| intertwine | to twist together (roses intertwining round the door). | ||
| interval | 1 the time or distance between (the interval between snow showers). 2 a break, a spell of free time (pupils having a snack in their interval). 3 a short break in a play, concert, etc (have a drink at the theater bar during the interval). 4 the difference of pitch between two musical sounds. | ||
| intervene | 1 to interrupt, to interfere (intervening to try to stop them quarrelling). 2 to be or to happen between (in time) (a few years intervened before they met again). 3 to happen so as to prevent something (he was going to go to college but the war intervened and he became a soldier). n intervention | ||
| interview | 1 a meeting at which a person applying for a job is questioned (several candidates had an interview). 2 a meeting with a person to get information or to do business (the journalist asked for an interview with the president). Also vb. | ||
| intestinal | having to do with the intestines (intestinal problems). | ||
| intestines | the inner parts of the body, especially the bowels (the intestines consist of the large intestine and the small intestine). | ||
| intifada | an uprising, specifically the uprising of Palestinian Arabs against Israeli military forces in occupied territories of the Gaza Strip and the west bank of the Jordan River, begun in 1987 and continuing from time to time into the early 1990s. | ||
| intimacy | closeness, close relationship (enjoy the intimacy that exists between old school friends). | ||
| intimate | 1 having a close relationship. 2 having a close knowledge of (an intimate knowledge of the area). n a close friend. vb (formal) to make known (intimating his intention to leave). | ||
| intimation | 1 (formal) a hint (he gave no intimation of his intention to leave). 2 an announcement (intimations of births, marriages, and deaths in the newspaper). | ||
| intimidate | to make afraid, e.g. by making threats (she was intimidated by the sight of the huge man in-ti-mi-day-shun/. | ||
| into (preposition) | 1 from the outside to the inside (jumped into the pool). 2 continuing to the midst of (danced into the night). 3 to the form, substance, or condition of (turned into a butterfly). 4 so as to strike against (bumped into the wall). 5 to the work or activity of (go into teaching). | ||
| intolerable | that cannot or should not be put up with (intolerable pain/intolerable behavior). | ||
| intolerant | not willing to put up with actions or opinions that are different from one’s own; narrow-minded (he is an intolerant man who has no time for people who hold views that are different from his). n intolerance | ||
| intonation | the rise and fall of the voice while speaking (a boring voice with very little intonation). | ||
| intoxicate | 1 to make drunk or stupefied (he had drunk enough beer to intoxicate him). 2 to excite greatly (he was intoxicated by his success). n intoxication | ||
| intra- | prefix within, inside. | ||
| intragalactic | occurring within a galaxy. | ||
| intranet | a private computer network using Internet technology but keeping access limited to members of a particular organization. | ||
| intransitive | (of verbs) not taking an object. | ||
| intravenous | in or directly into a vein or veins. | ||
| intrepid | fearless, brave (the intrepid explorer). | ||
| intricate | having many small parts, complicated (an intricate pattern in-tri-ca-see/. | ||
| intrigue | 1 a secret plot. 2 a secret love affair. vb 1 to plot secretly. 2 to interest greatly. adj intriguing | ||
| intrinsic | being part of the nature or character of, belonging to a thing as part of its nature (his intrinsic generosity/furniture of no intrinsic worth). | ||
| introduce | 1 to bring in or put forward, especially something new (introducing a new system of accounting). 2 to make one person known to another (introduce her two friends to each other). | ||
| introduction | 1 act of introducing (the introduction of new methods/ask for an introduction to her friend). 2 a short section at the beginning of a book to make known its purpose (an introduction explaining how to use the encyclopedia). | ||
| introductory | coming at the beginning, giving an introduction (an introductory course/a few introductory remarks). | ||
| introspective | thinking a lot about one’s own actions and ideas (poetry of an introspective nature in-tro-spec-shun in-tro-spect/ to look into one’s own mind. | ||
| introvert | someone who is always thinking about his or her own ideas and aims (he is an introvert but his sister is a real extrovert). | ||
| intrude | to come or go where not wanted (he was intruding since they obviously wanted to be alone in-troo-zhun/. | ||
| intruder | 1 someone who intrudes. 2 a person who breaks into a house to steal, a burglar (he heard an intruder downstairs). | ||
| intrusion | Collective noun for cockroaches (An intrusion of cockroaches) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| intrusive | tending to intrude (intrusive neighbors/intrusive questions). | ||
| intuition | 1 immediate knowledge of the truth gained without having to think (she had an intuition that he was a wrongdoer, and she was right). 2 the ability to know things in this way (she knew by intuition that something was wrong with her sister). adj intuitive vb intuit to know or learn by intuition. | ||
| Inuit | an indigenous people of northern North America and Greenland; the language of this people. | ||
| inundate | 1 to flow over (fields inundated with flood water). 2 to flood, to come in very large amounts (they were inundated with correspondence). | ||
| Inupiaq | the language of the Inupiat, spoken in northern Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. | ||
| Inupiat | a member of the Eskimo people of northern Alaska. | ||
| invade | 1 to enter as an enemy, to attack (the king ordered his army to invade the neighboring country). 2 to interfere with (invading his neighbor’s privacy). | ||
| invalid1 | 1 not valid (an invalid ticket). 2 useless, unreliable (an invalid argument). | ||
| invalid2 | weak, sickly (her invalid aunt). n a sick person. vb to send away because of illness (he was invalided by the disease). | ||
| invalidate | to make to have no value or effect (his claims to be an expert on local history were completely invalidated). | ||
| invalidism | the state of being an invalid; long-term ill health or disability (her invalidism has prevented her from getting a job). | ||
| invaluable | of very great value, more valuable than can be paid for (her invaluable help/the information was invaluable). | ||
| invariable | unchanging, not subject to alteration. | ||
| invariably | always, without exception (she is invariably late for all her appointments). | ||
| invariant | (math) constant, unchanging. | ||
| invasion | 1 entry into a country by enemy forces (their invasion of a neighboring country). 2 interference (the invasion of his privacy). adj invasive | ||
| invent | 1 to think of and plan something new (invent the motor car). 2 to make up (she invented a story about her car breaking down to account for her lateness). n inventor | ||
| invention | 1 a thing thought of and made for the first time (the telephone was one of his inventions). 2 the ability to think out new ideas (her powers of invention). | ||
| inventive | good at thinking of new or unusual ideas (an inventive writer). | ||
| inventory | a list of goods or articles (take an inventory of the contents of the house before she rented it out). | ||
| inverse | opposite or reverse (their enthusiasm for their work seemed to be in inverse proportion to their salaries). | ||
| inversion | 1 act of turning upside down. 2 a change in the usual order of words in a sentence. | ||
| invert | to turn upside down, to turn the other way round (he inverted his glass to trap the wasp/invert the clauses in the sentence). | ||
| invertebrate | having no backbone (invertebrate creatures such as worms). n an animal without a backbone. | ||
| invest | 1 to mark someone’s entry to rank or office by clothing him or her with the robes belonging to it (invest the new bishop). 2 to lend money so as to increase it by interest or a share in profits (he invested his savings in her new restaurant). | ||
| investigate | to examine, to find out everything about (police investigating the murder). n investigator | ||
| investigation | a careful examination, an inquiry (the police have mounted a murder investigation). | ||
| investigative | inclined to investigate. | ||
| investment | 1 the act of investing. 2 a sum of money invested (she has an investment of $14,000 in her husband’s business). 3 the thing money has been invested in (she had to sell all her investments, including her house). | ||
| investor | someone who invests money (all the investors in her business lost their money). | ||
| inveterate | 1 firmly fixed in a habit (an inveterate liar). 2 firmly established (an inveterate dislike of flying). | ||
| invincible | that cannot be defeated (they thought their army was invincible). n invincibility | ||
| invisible | that cannot be seen (germs are invisible). n invisibility | ||
| invite | 1 to ask politely, to ask to come, especially as a guest (inviting them to dinner in-vi-tay-shun/. | ||
| inviting | attractive (an inviting prospect). | ||
| invoice | 1 a list of goods sent to a buyer, with prices. 2 a list of work done and payment due. vb to send an invoice. | ||
| invoke | 1 to bring into use or operation (invoking a little-known law to justify their actions). 2 to call on God or a god in prayer. 3 to request or beg for (invoke their assistance). 4 to make an urgent request to (invoke the law for their protection). | ||
| involuntary | unintentional, done without conscious effort or intention (involuntary movements of the muscles/he gave an involuntary cry). | ||
| involve | 1 to include (the accident involved a car and a truck). 2 to mix up in (he became involved in drug-smuggling). 3 to cause as a result (a job involving a lot of overtime). | ||
| involved | complicated (an involved explanation). | ||
| invulnerable | that cannot be wounded, hurt, damaged, etc. | ||
| inward | 1 inner. 2 having to do with the mind (a feeling of inward satisfaction). adv toward the inside. | ||
| inwardly | on the inside, in the mind (inwardly disapproving). | ||
| iodine | a chemical used in medicine to clean wounds, instruments, etc (a solution of iodine used as an antiseptic). | ||
| iodize | also iodise (British spelling) to treat with iodine. | ||
| ion | an electrically charged atom. adj ionic | ||
| ionosphere | the outer part of the earth’s atmosphere. | ||
| Iophobia | fear of poison (see list of phobias) | ||
| iota | 1 a Greek letter. 2 a tiny amount (not care an iota about his family). | ||
| IQ | abbreviation for Intelligence Quotient a person’s level of intelligence as measured by a special test. | ||
| irate | very angry, furious (the irate farmer chased the boys who had let his cows out). | ||
| ire | (fml or lit) anger. | ||
| Irenology | study of peace (see list of branches of science) | ||
| iridescent | colored like the rainbow, brightly colored, having or showing shifting colors (iridescent patches of oil on the street). n iridescence | ||
| Iridology | study of the iris (see list of branches of science) | ||
| iris | 1 the colored circle of the eye. 2 a flowering plant. | ||
| irk | to annoy, to bother (it irks her that he earns more than she does). | ||
| irksome | troublesome, tedious, annoying (she couldn’t wait to finish her irksome household tasks). | ||
| iron | 1 the most common of metals, used in construction and engineering. 2 a tool or instrument, formerly made of iron, especially for smoothing clothes (she bought a new steam iron). 3 pl chains (prisoners in irons). adj 1 made of iron. 2 strong, hard (an iron will). vb to smooth (clothes) with an iron (she enjoyed ironing shirts). to have too many irons in the fire to be trying to do too many things at once. to strike while the iron is hot to act at the most opportune moment. | ||
| ironic , ironical | expressing irony (an ironic remark/it was ironic that he stole money that he was going to get as a gift). | ||
| irony | 1 a remark made in such a way that the meaning is understood to be the opposite of what is said (“A fine fellow you are”, she said with irony). 2 the result of an action that has the opposite effect to that intended (the irony of his action was that he stole money that she was going to give him). | ||
| irradiate | 1 (fml and lit) to make bright by throwing light on (a garden irradiated with light from the lanterns). 2 to treat with radiation (irradiating the cancer). n irradiation exposure to radiation, an irradiating of. | ||
| irrational | 1 not rational, not reasonable, not sensible (an irrational decision). 2 not able to reason, not using reason. adv irrationally (he was behaving quite irrationally). n irrationalism irrational thought. | ||
| irregular | 1 not in agreement with the rules, not according to accepted standards (his behavior was most irregular). 2 not straight or even (irregular features an irregular coastline). 3 not happening, etc, regularly (irregular school attendance). n irregularity | ||
| irrelevant | having nothing to do with the subject, not to the point (please do not raise irrelevant issues at the meeting). n irrelevance , irrelevancy | ||
| irreplaceable | not replaceable, that cannot be replaced (the vase she broke had belonged to her mother and was irreplaceable). | ||
| irrepressible | that cannot be kept down or held back (irrepressible cheerfulness). | ||
| irresistible | 1 that cannot be resisted (an irresistible force). 2 very strong (find his argument irresistible). 3 very attractive, charming (find newborn babies irresistible). | ||
| irrespective | regardless of, not troubling about (irrespective of his weight, he was remarkably fit). | ||
| irresponsible | not caring about the consequences of actions (it was very irresponsible of him to leave the children on their own). | ||
| irrigate | to supply water to dry land by canals, etc. n irrigation | ||
| irritable | easily angered or annoyed (he is always irritable first thing in the morning). n irritability | ||
| irritant | something that irritates, annoys, angers, inflames, makes sore, etc (the irritant that caused her sore eye/the grumpy old man regarded all children as irritants). | ||
| irritate | 1 to annoy, to anger (irritated by their lack of interest). 2 to cause to itch, become inflamed, red, swollen, etc (the washing-up liquid irritated her skin). n irritation | ||
| is | the form of the verb be used with “he”, “she”, “it”, and “one” or with singular nouns (she is going away/the dog is not well). | ||
| Islam | 1 the Muslim religion founded by Mohammed in which the god is called Allah. 2 all Muslims. 3 all the lands in which Islam is the main religion. adj Islamic | ||
| island | a piece of land surrounded by water (a desert island). | ||
| islander | a native of an island. | ||
| isle | (lit) an island, especially a small island. | ||
| islet | a very small island. | ||
| isolate | 1 to place apart or alone (the hospital decided to isolate the patient with the unknown fever). 2 to cut off (towns isolated in snowy weather). 3 to separate (isolating and examining the chemical substance). n isolation | ||
| Isolophobia | fear of solitude, being alone (see list of phobias) | ||
| Isopterophobia | fear of termites (see list of phobias) | ||
| isosceles | (of a triangle) having two sides equal. | ||
| issue | 1 to go or come out (people issuing from the building/noises issuing from the room). 2 to send out (issue reminders about unpaid bills). 3 to flow out (blood issued from the wound). 4 to give out (issue new uniforms to all soldiers). 5 to publish. n 1 a flowing out (the issue of blood from the wound). 2 (formal) children (married couples with no issue). 3 (formal) a result (await the issue of their debate). 4 a question under discussion (this issue is an international one). 5 a number of books, papers, etc, published at one time (the Christmas issue of the magazine). | ||
| it | the person, animal, or thing previously mentioned, also used as the subject to an impersonal verb (e.g. it is snowing). | ||
| IT | abbreviation for information technology the study or use of computers and telecommunication sytems | ||
| it’s | a shortened form of it is or it has. | ||
| italic(s) | in printing, letters in sloping type (e.g. italics). Also adj. | ||
| italicize | also italicise (British spelling) to print in italics (in print media it is usual to italicize the names of books and plays). | ||
| itch | 1 an irritation of the skin that causes a desire to scratch (she has an itch where the flea bit her). 2 a longing (an itch to travel). vb 1 to feel an itch. 2 to feel a strong desire (to do something). adj itchy | ||
| item | 1 a single one out of a list or number of things (the items on her shopping list/items of clothing). 2 a piece of news (an interesting item in the newspaper). adv also, in the same way. | ||
| itemize | also itemise (British spelling) to specify the items of (an itemized bill shows each thing purchased). | ||
| Ithyphallophobia | fear of seeing, thinking about or having an erect penis (see list of phobias) | ||
| itinerant | not settling in any one place, moving from place to place (an itinerant salesman). n one who is always on the move from place to place. | ||
| itinerary | a note of the places visited or to be visited on a journey (receive an itinerary from the travel agent). | ||
| its | that or those of or belonging to it, the possessive form of “it”. | ||
| itty-bitty | (informal) very small, tiny. | ||
| ivory | the hard white substance forming the tusks of elephants, etc (decorations made of ivory). adj of or like ivory, creamy white (an ivory blouse). | ||
| ivy | a climbing vine with a woody stem and evergreen leaves (trees covered in ivy). | ||
J
| J, j | the tenth letter of the alphabet. | ||
| jab | (jabbed , jabbing ) to prod or poke suddenly (she jabbed him in the arm as she spoke). n 1 a sudden prod or poke. 2 (Brit inf) an injection (get a jab against measles). | ||
| jabber | to chatter; to speak quickly and indistinctly (unable to understand what the excited children were jabbering about). | ||
| jack | 1 a tool for lifting heavy weights (a car jack). 2 the small white ball aimed at in the game of bowls. 3 the knave in cards. 4 a flag. vb to raise with a jack (jack the car up). every man jack (informal) every single one (every man jack of us will have to help). | ||
| jackal | a dog-like wild animal. | ||
| jackass | 1 a male donkey. 2 (informal) a fool. | ||
| jacket | 1 a short coat (a man’s woolen jacket). 2 a loose paper cover for a book (the book has a striking design on its jacket). | ||
| jack-of-all-trades | someone who is able to do any kind of job (he is not only a joiner—he is a jack-of-all-trades). | ||
| Jacuzzi™ | a kind of whirlpool bath with a system of underwater jets which massage the body (some rooms in the hotel have a Jacuzzi). | ||
| jade | a green precious stone. | ||
| jaded | tired, bored, uninterested (after all the Christmas parties he feels a bit jaded and can’t be bothered going out). | ||
| jagged | having rough edges or sharp points (jagged rocks). | ||
| jaguar | an animal like the leopard, found in South America. | ||
| jail | a prison (sentenced and sent to jail). | ||
| jailer | a prison guard (locked up at night by jailers). | ||
| jam | Collective noun for tarts (A jam of tarts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| jam1 | fruit boiled with sugar to preserve it; jelly; preserve (spread raspberry jam on the bread). | ||
| jam2 | (jammed , jamming ) 1 to squeeze in, to fix so tightly that movement is impossible, to wedge in (he jammed his foot in the doorway). 2 to crowd full (the hall was jammed with protesters). 3 to prevent the receiving of radio messages by broadcasting sounds on the same wavelength. 4 to take part in an unplanned music making session (I jammed with the saxophonists/we were jamming). n 1 a pile-up of traffic (bad traffic jams in the town during rush-hour). 2 an unplanned music-making session (the jazz musicians in the club had a jam). | ||
| jangle | a harsh ringing noise (hear the jangle of the shop doorbell). vb 1 to make or cause to make a jangle. 2 (informal) to irritate (the rush to get a seat on the train jangled my nerves). | ||
| jangle | Collective noun for hangers (A jangle of hangers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| janitor | 1 a doorkeeper. 2 one who takes care of a building. | ||
| January | the first month of the year. | ||
| Japanophobia | fear of Japanese (see list of phobias) | ||
| jar | a glass or earthenware vessel with a wide mouth (a jar of jam). | ||
| jargon | words special to a group or profession (the jargon of the advertising business). | ||
| jasmine , jessamine | a climbing bush with sweet-smelling flowers. | ||
| jasper | a precious stone, yellow, red or brown in color. | ||
| jaundice | an illness marked by yellowness of the eyes and skin. | ||
| jaundiced | 1 suffering from jaundice. 2 full of envy, disappointment, etc; thinking of everything as bad or unlucky (have a jaundiced view of life). | ||
| jaunt | a short pleasure trip (go on a jaunt to the seaside). vb to go from place to place. | ||
| jaunty | 1 cheerful-looking, confident (wear his hat at a jaunty angle). 2 pleased with oneself (in a jaunty mood). | ||
| javelin | a light throwing spear. | ||
| jaw | one of the bones in the mouth that hold the teeth (get a broken jaw in a fight). | ||
| jay | a bird of the crow family with brightly colored feathers. | ||
| jaywalk | to walk across the street carelessly or without obeying the rules of the road. n jaywalker | ||
| jazz | syncopated music and dancing of African-American origin. | ||
| jealous | 1 disliking rivals in love, having feelings of dislike for any possible rivals (a jealous husband je-lu-see/. | ||
| jean | a cotton cloth. npl close-fitting trousers often made of denim. | ||
| Jeep™ | a light truck, military or otherwise, for going over rough ground. | ||
| jeer | to laugh or shout at disrespectfully, to mock, (jeering at the football player who was playing badly). n insulting words. | ||
| Jehovah | from the Old Testament of the bible, a name for God. | ||
| Jell-O™ | a brand name for a number of gelatin desserts whose popularity has led to the name being used as a generic term for gelatin dessert in the US and Canada. (serve orange Jell-O to the children). | ||
| jelly | 1 a material that is in a state between solid and liquid. 2 a type of food consisting of fruit cooked with sugar (enjoy a peanut butter and jelly sandwich). 3 (British spelling) a sweet food made by boiling the juice of fruit with sugar and mixing with gelatin to make it set (serve ice cream and jelly to the children). | ||
| jellyfish | a jelly-like sea creature often with stinging tentacles. | ||
| jeopardize | also jeopardise (British spelling) to put in danger, to risk (jeopardizing the rescue operation by his careless action). | ||
| jeopardy | danger. | ||
| jerk | 1 to give a sudden pull or push (jerk the cord that operates the light). 2 to move suddenly and quickly (she jerked back as the car came toward her). n a sudden, quick movement (after a series of jerks the car came to a halt). | ||
| jerkin | a close-fitting jacket or short coat. | ||
| jerky1 | moving by jerks (a jerky way of walking). | ||
| jerky2 | dried, preserved meat that can be kept for a long time even when not in a refrigerator. | ||
| jersey | 1 a fine wool (a dress of jersey). 2 (British spelling) see sweater. | ||
| jest | a joke, something done or said in fun (make a jest about their being newly married/he said it in jest). vb to joke. | ||
| jester | (old) one paid to make jokes, as in a king’s or nobleman’s household. | ||
| Jesuit | a priest or brother in the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic religious order. | ||
| jet lag | tiredness which results from traveling by plane across several time zones. | ||
| jet plane | an airplane that is jet-propelled, i.e. driven forward by the force of jets of gas forced out to the rear. | ||
| jet1 | a hard black substance, often used for ornamental purposes (a necklace made of jet). | ||
| jet2 | 1 a stream of liquid or gas forced through a narrow opening. 2 a spout through which a narrow stream of liquid or gas can be forced (the water jet is blocked). 3 a jet plane. | ||
| jetsam | goods thrown overboard to make a ship lighter. | ||
| jettison | 1 to throw (goods, etc) overboard. 2 to get rid of (he decided to jettison the idea). | ||
| jetty | 1 a pier. 2 a wall built to protect a harbor from high seas. | ||
| jewel | 1 a precious stone (diamonds, emeralds and other jewels). 2 something valued highly (the jewel of his art collection). | ||
| jeweler (British: jeweller) | someone who buys and sells jewels. | ||
| jewelry | also jewellery (Brit), jewels, personal ornaments, as rings, necklaces, etc. | ||
| jib | 1 a triangular sail raised in front of a ship’s foremast. 2 the arm of a crane. vb to pull a sail round to the other side. to like the cut of someone’s jib to like someone. | ||
| jibe | see gibe. | ||
| jiffy | (informal) a moment, an instant (she said that she would be down in a jiffy). | ||
| jig | a lively dance tune. vb (jigged , jigging ) 1 to dance a jig. 2 to move up and down quickly in a jerky way (children jigging with excitement). | ||
| jigsaw | a picture that has been cut into different shapes and the puzzle is to try to fit them together again (the jigsaw was of a battle scene). | ||
| jihad | a holy war waged by Muslims against non-believers; a crusade for or against a cause. Also jehad. | ||
| jilt | to leave someone after promising to love or marry him or her (jilted her at the altar). | ||
| jingle | a light ringing noise made by metal against metal, as by small bells or coins (the jingle of coins in his pocket). vb to ring lightly, to clink. | ||
| jitters | (informal) great nervousness. | ||
| jittery | (informal) nervous (in a jittery mood/get jittery at the sight of a policeman). | ||
| jive | 1 a type of jazz music. 2 the way of dancing to it. Also vb. | ||
| job | 1 a piece of work (make a good job of mending the table). 2 someone’s employment (a job in an office). 3 (informal) a crime (serving three years in jail for the job he did). | ||
| jockey | a rider in horse races. vb to persuade or manipulate a person gradually and skillfully into doing something he or she is unwilling to do (succeeded in jockeying him into joining them). | ||
| jocular | 1 intended to be humorous (a few jocular remarks). 2 fond of joking (a jocular fellow). | ||
| jodhpurs | riding breeches reaching to the ankle. | ||
| jog | (jogged , jogging ) 1 to nudge, to prod (he jogged me and I spilled the coffee/jog someone’s memory). 2 to walk or run at a slow, steady pace (jog round the park for exercise). n 1 a nudge, a slight shake. 2 a slow walk or trot. | ||
| join | 1 to put or fasten together (join the two pieces of string). 2 to take part in with others (join the search for the missing child). 3 to become a member of (join the golf club). n a place where things join (unable to see the join in the wallpaper). join battle to begin fighting (the enemies joined battle at dawn). | ||
| joiner | a carpenter, a worker in wood, who makes furniture, etc. | ||
| joint | 1 a place at which two things meet or are fastened together (seal the joints in the pipe). 2 a place where two things are joined, but left the power of moving (as at, e.g. the elbow, a hinge) (old people suffering from stiff joints). 3 a large piece of meat containing a bone (roast a joint of beef). adj 1 shared between two or among all (a joint bank account). 2 done by several together (a joint achievement). Also vb. | ||
| joint | Collective noun for orthopaedists (A joint of orthopaedists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| joint | Collective noun for osteopaths (A joint of osteopaths) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| jointed | having joints. | ||
| jointly | together (write the book jointly). | ||
| joist | one of the beams of wood supporting the floor or ceiling. | ||
| jojoba | an evergreen shrub from which oil is extracted for use in creams and shampoos. | ||
| joke | something said or done to cause laughter (a speech full of jokes that were not funny). Also vb. | ||
| jollification | merrymaking and feasting (much jollification when they won the football competition). | ||
| jollity | gaiety, cheerfulness. | ||
| jolly | merry, cheerful (in a jolly mood/jolly, amusing people). | ||
| Jolly Roger | the black pirate flag with the skull and crossbones. | ||
| jolt | 1 to give a sudden jerk to (he jolted my arm as he passed). 2 to move along jerkily (a bus jolting along country lanes). n 1 a sudden jerk (the car gave a jolt and stopped suddenly). 2 a shock (get a jolt when he failed the exam). | ||
| jonquil | a small daffodil. | ||
| jostle | to knock or push against (people jostling to get into the cinema). | ||
| jot | a small amount (have not a jot of sympathy). vb (jotted , jotting ) to write down in short form (jot down his address). | ||
| jotter | a notebook or exercise book. | ||
| jotting | a short note. | ||
| journal | 1 (usually in titles) a daily newspaper. 2 a weekly or monthly magazine. 3 a record of the events of every day (she decided to keep a journal of her travels). | ||
| journalism | the work of preparing or writing for newspapers and magazines (a career in journalism). | ||
| journalist | someone whose job is journalism. | ||
| journalistic | having to do with journalism (a journalistic career). | ||
| journey | a distance traveled, especially over land (long journeys by train and bus). vb (fml or old) to travel (journeyed for three days). | ||
| journeyman | a person who has served an apprenticeship to learn a craft or a trade and is now employed by another. | ||
| joust | (old) a contest between two armed knights on horseback at a tournament. Also vb. | ||
| jovial | merry, joyful, cheerful (a jovial old man jo-vee-a-li-tee/. | ||
| jowl | the jaw, the lower part of the cheek (a face with heavy jowls). cheek by jowl very close together (a meeting to promote peace where terrorists stood cheek by jowl with churchmen). | ||
| joy | 1 delight, gladness (bring joy to their lives). 2 a cause of great happiness (their child was a great joy to them). | ||
| joy ride | (informal) a drive for pleasure in a car (often one that does not belong to the driver) (teenagers stealing cars for joy rides). vb joy-ride. | ||
| joyful , joyous | full of joy (a joyful occasion). | ||
| joystick | 1 the pilot’s lever to control an airplane. 2 a control lever on a computer. | ||
| jubilant | rejoicing greatly, triumphant, very glad (the fans were jubilant after their team won the match). | ||
| jubilation | triumphant joy. | ||
| jubilee | 1 a special anniversary of an event (the firm celebrated its golden jubilee). 2 a celebration of this. golden jubilee a 50th anniversary. silver jubilee a 25th anniversary. diamond jubilee a 60th anniversary. | ||
| Judaism | the religion of the Jews. | ||
| Judeophobia | fear of Jews (see list of phobias) | ||
| judge | 1 someone who presides in a court of law giving advice on matters of law and deciding on the punishment for guilty persons (the judge sentenced him to two years in prison). 2 someone asked to settle a disagreement (appointed judge in their dispute). 3 someone able to distinguish what is good from what is bad (a good judge of wine). vb 1 to act as judge in a court of law. 2 to decide, to give an opinion on (judging a school by its exam results). 3 to decide which is the best in a competition (judge a singing competition). 4 (formal) to criticize or blame someone (quick to judge others). | ||
| judgment or judgement | 1 act or power of judging (his judgment is not to be trusted). 2 the decision given at the end of a law case. 3 good sense (a business decision showing poor judgment). 4 an opinion (in my judgment he is a good player). Judgment the Last Judgment of the Old Testament. | ||
| judicature | all the judges or law courts of a country. | ||
| judicial | having to do with a judge or court of law (our judicial system). | ||
| judiciary | having to do with a court of law. n judges as a body. | ||
| judicious | wise, showing good sense (a judicious decision/an action that was far from being judicious). | ||
| judo | a Japanese system of unarmed combat adapted as a competitive sport from jujitsu. | ||
| jug | 1 a deep vessel for holding liquids, with a handle; a pitcher (a jug of milk). 2 a large vessel with a narrow mouth. . | ||
| juggernaut | 1 a large destructive force (the juggernaut of bureaucracy). 2 a very large lorry (juggernauts rumbling through country villages from the port). | ||
| juggle | 1 to keep on throwing things up, catching them and throwing them up again with great quickness of hand (an entertainer juggling plates). 2 to change the arrangement of something in order to get a satisfactory result or to deceive (the accountant juggled the company’s end-of-year figures). n juggler | ||
| jugular | having to do with the neck or throat. | ||
| jugular vein | the large vein at the side of the neck. | ||
| juice | the liquid of a fruit or plant (orange juice). adj juicy | ||
| jujitsu | a form of self-defense first used in Japan. | ||
| jujube | (old) a jelly-like sweet. | ||
| jukebox | a machine in a café, pub, etc, that automatically plays a selected record or compact disc when a coin is inserted. | ||
| julep | short for mint julep, a tall glass of bourbon or brandy and sugar over crushed ice, garnished with mint. | ||
| July | the seventh month of the year. | ||
| jumble | to mix in an untidy heap (a cupboard with shoes and clothes all jumbled up). n a muddle (a jumble of books and papers). | ||
| jumbo | something very large of its kind. adj very large (a jumbo jet). | ||
| jump | 1 to push off the ground with the feet so that the whole body moves through the air (the dog jumped over the wall). 2 to make a sudden quick movement or start, as when surprised (he jumped when the door banged). n 1 a leap (a parachute jump). 2 a sudden, quick movement (give a jump in his sleep). 3 an obstacle to be jumped over (the jumps in a horse race). n jumper jump at to accept willingly (jump at the chance of working abroad). jump to conclusions to take things as true without waiting for them to be proved so. | ||
| jumper | see sweater. | ||
| jumpy | (informal) nervous, anxious (feel jumpy when she was alone in the house). n jumpiness | ||
| junction | 1 (formal) a joining point. 2 a station where several railway lines meet. | ||
| juncture | moment, point, stage (at this juncture he decided to leave). | ||
| June | the sixth month of the year. | ||
| jungle | land especially in the tropics, covered with trees and matted undergrowth. | ||
| junior | 1 younger (the junior children). 2 lower in rank (junior members of staff). Also n. | ||
| juniper | an evergreen shrub. | ||
| junk food | food which is low in nutritional value, often eaten as snacks (she worried because her children were eating too much junk food instead of well-balanced meals). | ||
| junk mail | mail that you receive without having asked for it, usually containing advertisements. | ||
| junk1 | odds and ends, old or unwanted things, rubbish (the shop is supposed to sell antiques but it’s full of junk). | ||
| junk2 | a Chinese sailing vessel. | ||
| junkyard | a place used to store and eventually dispose of discarded objects such as old cars. | ||
| Jupiter | the fifth planet from the sun. | ||
| juror | a member of a jury (the jurors in a murder trial). | ||
| jury | a number of persons who have sworn to give a fair and honest opinion of the facts related in a law case (the jury reached a verdict of not guilty). | ||
| just | 1 right and fair (a just decision/it’s only just that she pays for her crime). 2 honest, fair, moral (a just man). 3 reasonable, based on one’s rights (a just claim). 4 deserved (he got his just reward). adv 1 exactly (that is just what he needs). 2 on the point of (just coming in the door). 3 quite (a house that is just as nice as theirs). 4 merely, only (he’s just a child). 5 barely (just enough milk for two). 6 very lately or recently (she has just left). | ||
| justice | 1 fairness or rightness in the treatment of other people (laws based on justice/there was no justice in her treatment of him). 2 a judge. | ||
| justice of the peace | (British) a person appointed to help administer the law in a certain district. | ||
| justifiable | that may be shown right, excusable (try to make us believe that his behavior was justifiable). | ||
| justification | a reason for doing something, a defense (no justification for his bad behavior). | ||
| justify | to show that something is right, just, reasonable or excusable (unable to justify spending all that money/he was certainly justified in feeling so angry). | ||
| jut | (jutted , jutting ) to stick out (balconies jutting out over the sea). | ||
| jute | a fiber from the bark of certain plants, from which rope, canvas, etc, are made. | ||
| juvenile | 1 having to do with young people (juvenile courts). 2 typical of young people, childish (they were amused to see middle-aged people behaving in a juvenile way). n a young person (he’s only a juvenile). | ||
| juxtapose | to place side by side or close together, especially to show a contrast (juxtaposing two phrases for effect). | ||
| juxtaposition | a placing near, or side by side. | ||
K
| K, k | the eleventh letter of the alphabet. | ||
| Kainolophobia | fear of anything new, novelty (see list of phobias) | ||
| Kainophobia | fear of anything new, novelty (see list of phobias) | ||
| Kakorrhaphiophobia | fear of failure or defeat (see list of phobias) | ||
| kale | a type of cabbage with dark, crinkled leaves. | ||
| kaleidoscope | 1 a toy consisting of a tube in which quickly changing colors and shapes are seen through an eyehole. 2 a constantly and quickly changing pattern (the kaleidoscope of history). | ||
| kaleidoscopic | 1 with many changing colors. 2 quickly changing. | ||
| Kalology | study of beauty (see list of branches of science) | ||
| kamik | an Inuit boot made from caribou hide. | ||
| kangaroo | an Australian mammal with a pouch for its young and long strong hind legs by means of which it jumps along. | ||
| kapok | a light cotton-like fiber used for stuffing cushions, etc. | ||
| karaoke | a type of entertainment in which a machine plays a tape of popular music while people take it in turns to sing the words of the songs (she really enjoyed taking part in the karaoke). | ||
| karate | a Japanese form of unarmed combat using the feet, hands and elbows. | ||
| Karyology | study of cell nuclei (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Katagelophobia | fear of ridicule (see list of phobias) | ||
| Kathisophobia | fear of sitting down (see list of phobias) | ||
| Katsaridaphobia | fear of cockroaches (see list of phobias) | ||
| katydid | a large green insect related to the grasshopper. | ||
| kayak | an Inuit canoe, made from sealskin. | ||
| kebab | small pieces of meat and vegetables cooked on a metal or wooden skewer under a broiler or over flames. | ||
| kedgeree | a dish made of rice, fish and eggs (the English serve kedgeree for breakfast). | ||
| keel | the long beam or girder along the bottom of a ship from which the whole frame is built up. vb keel over 1 to turn over to one side, to capsize (the boat keeled over in the storm). 2 (informal) to fall down, to collapse (people keeling over in the heat). | ||
| keen | 1 sharp (a keen mind keen to go keen-ness/. | ||
| keep | (pt, pp kept ) 1 to have something without being required to give it back (told to keep the change). 2 not to give or throw away, to preserve (keep old family photographs keep hens). 5 to pay for and look after (keep his family). 6 to hold back. 7 to carry out (keep an engagement). 8 to go on doing (keep walking). 9 (informal) to remain in good condition (food that won’t keep). n 1 (formal) care (leave the children in his keep). 2 a strong tower in the centre of a castle. 3 (informal) maintenance, food and lodging (pay for his keep). keep at to go on trying to do. keep body and soul together to help to keep alive (she does two jobs to try to keep body and soul together). keep one’s hand in to practice enough to remain good at (she no longer plays in an orchestra but she plays the piano often enough to keep her hand in). | ||
| keeper | someone who keeps or looks after (the lock-keeper/the gate-keeper). | ||
| keeping | care, charge (money given into the bank’s keeping). | ||
| keepsake | a gift valued because of the giver (she gave him a lock of her hair as a keepsake). | ||
| keg | a small barrel (a keg of beer). | ||
| kelp | 1 a type of seaweed. 2 ashes of seaweed, used in making glass, iodine, etc. | ||
| ken | beyond one’s ken outside the extent of one’s understanding (how he made his money was beyond our ken). | ||
| kennel | 1 a house for dogs (a kennel in the garden for the dog). 2 a pack of hounds. | ||
| Kenophobia | fear of voids or empty spaces (see list of phobias) | ||
| Keratnology | study of nails and hair (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Keraunophobia | fear of thunder and lightning (see list of phobias) | ||
| kerb | see curb. | ||
| kerchief | a cloth for covering the head (wearing a red kerchief to protect her head from the sun). | ||
| kernel | 1 the edible part in the centre of a nut or fruit stone. 2 the most important part (the kernel of the problem). | ||
| kerosene | an oil made from petroleum, paraffin. | ||
| kestrel | a small falcon. | ||
| ketchup | a sauce, usually made of tomatoes, onions, salt and sugar (tomato ketchup). | ||
| kettle | a metal vessel, with a spout and handle, used for boiling water (boil water for the tea in an electric kettle). a kettle of fish a great difficulty. | ||
| kettle | Collective noun for drums (A kettle of drums) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| kettledrum | a drum made of skin or parchment stretched across the mouth of a rounded metal frame. | ||
| key | 1 an instrument for opening locks, winding clocks, etc (turn the key in the lock). 2 one of the levers or buttons struck by the fingers on a piano, computer, etc. 3 the relationship of the notes in which a tune is written. 4 something that when known enables you to work out a code, problem, etc (the key to the puzzle). 5 a translation. 6 a general mood, tone or style (in a low key). | ||
| keyboard | the set of levers or buttons struck by the fingers on a piano, computer, etc (the keyboard of the computer). vb to use a keyboard. | ||
| keyhole | the hole through which a key is put in a lock (looking through the keyhole to see what they were doing). | ||
| kg | abbreviation for kilogram | ||
| khaki | dust-colored. n yellowish-brown cloth originally used in making army uniforms. | ||
| kibbutz | in Israel, a small community in which the members all live and work together. | ||
| kibbutznik | a member of a kibbutz. | ||
| kick | 1 to strike with the foot (kick the ball). 2 (of a gun) to jerk back when fired. n 1 a blow given with the foot (his leg injured by a kick from a horse). 2 the recoil of a gun. 3 (informal) a thrill, a feeling of pleasure (get a kick from fast cars). 4 strength, effectiveness (a drink with a kick in it). | ||
| kick-off | the beginning of a game of football or soccer. | ||
| kid | 1 (informal) a child (work hard to give his kids everything). 2 a young goat. 3 goatskin leather. vb (kidded , kidding ) (informal) to deceive in fun (she was offended but then she realized that he was only kidding). | ||
| kidnap | (kidnapped , kidnapping ) to carry off a person by force (kidnap the child of the millionaire to get money). n kidnapper | ||
| kidney | 1 one of two glands that cleanse the blood and pass the waste liquid out of the body. 2 the kidneys of certain animals used as food. | ||
| kill | 1 to put to death. 2 to put an end to (kill all their hopes). n the animal(s) killed in a hunt. kill time to make time seem to pass more quickly by occupying or amusing yourself in some way (kill time by looking round the shops). | ||
| kiln | a furnace or oven for heating or hardening anything, especially bricks and pottery. | ||
| kilo- | prefix one thousand. | ||
| kilogram | a measure of weight = 1000 grams (about 21/5 lb). abbreviation kg. | ||
| kilometer | also kilometre (British spelling) a measure of length = 1000 meters (about 5/8 mile). abbreviation km. | ||
| kilowatt | a measure of electric power = 1000 watts. | ||
| kilt | a short pleated skirt worn by Scotsmen as part of Highland dress. | ||
| kimono | a Japanese long loose robe, tied with a sash, worn by women. | ||
| kin | (formal) relatives, by blood or marriage (all his kin are dead). | ||
| kind | 1 sort, type, variety (fruit of various kinds kind acts). n kindness pay in kind to pay by goods, etc, not money (they gave us apples and we paid them in kind with eggs). | ||
| kindergarten | a school for children ages four to six. | ||
| kindle | 1 to set on fire, to light (kindling the fire in the hearth). 2 to stir up (kindle love). | ||
| kindle | Collective noun for kittens (A kindle of kittens) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| kindle | Collective noun for leverets (A kindle of leverets) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| kindling | small pieces of wood used for lighting a fire (chop kindling for the fire). | ||
| kindly | kind, friendly (a kindly old woman kine-dlee-ness/. | ||
| kindred | 1 (formal) relatives, especially by blood (all his kindred were killed in the battle). 2 relationship (claim kindred with him). adj 1 related (kindred languages). 2 congenial (kindred spirits). | ||
| Kinematics | study of motion (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Kinesics | study of gestural communication (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Kinesiology | study of human movement and posture (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Kinesophobia | fear of movement or motion (see list of phobias) | ||
| Kinetics | study of forces producing or changing motion (see list of branches of science) | ||
| kinetics | the study of the connection between force and motion. adj kinetic | ||
| Kinetophobia | fear of movement or motion (see list of phobias) | ||
| king | 1 the male ruler of a state. 2 a playing card with a king’s picture. 3 a piece in chess (kings and castles and bishops). | ||
| kingdom | a state ruled by a king. | ||
| kingfisher | a small brightly colored bird that dives for fish. | ||
| kink | 1 a backward twist in a rope, chain, etc (a kink in the garden hose). 2 an unusual or strange way of thinking about things (a curious kink in his character). | ||
| kinship | 1 a family connection. 2 any close connection. | ||
| kinsman | a male relative. f kinswoman | ||
| kiosk | 1 a small hut or stall for the sale of newspapers, sweets, etc (buy sandwiches at the station kiosk). 2 a public telephone booth. | ||
| kipper | to preserve by splitting open, salting and drying. n a fish so preserved, especially a herring, and used as food (have grilled kippers for breakfast). | ||
| kirk | (Scot) a church. | ||
| kiss | to touch with the lips as a sign of love or respect (kiss their parents goodnight he kissed her hand). Also n. | ||
| kit | all the tools, etc, needed to do a job (his athletics kit). | ||
| kitbag | a bag for necessary tools, clothes, etc, as carried by soldiers, sailors, etc. | ||
| kitchen | the room in which cooking is done (a kitchen fitted with labor-saving machines). | ||
| kite | 1 a type of hawk. 2 a toy made of paper or cloth stretched on a tight framework, flown in the air at the end of a string (the child was flying a kite in the shape of a dragon). | ||
| kitten | a young cat. | ||
| kiwi | 1 a wingless tailless bird of New Zealand. 2 the fruit of an Asian vine. | ||
| Kleenex™ | tissue paper that is used as a handkerchief. | ||
| kleptomania | an uncontrollable desire to steal things (she was accused of shoplifting but she was suffering from kleptomania). n kleptomaniac | ||
| Kleptophobia | fear of stealing (see list of phobias) | ||
| km | abbreviation for kilometer. | ||
| knack | knowledge of the right way to do a thing, skill gained by practice (there is a knack to tossing pancakes/the knack of making people feel welcome). | ||
| knapsack | (old) a bag strapped to the back, worn by soldiers or travelers. | ||
| knave | 1 a rascal, a dishonest rogue (the knaves who stole his horse). 2 the third picture in a pack of cards, the jack. | ||
| knead | to press into a dough or paste (knead the dough to make bread). | ||
| knee | the joint between the upper and lower parts of the leg (pray on his knees). | ||
| kneel | (pt, pp knelt or kneeled ) to go down or rest on the knees. | ||
| kneeling | Collective noun for parishioners (A kneeling of parishioners) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| knell | (fml or lit) the sound of a bell, especially at a funeral. vb 1 (of a bell) to ring a knell (church bells knelling). 2 to summon by, or as by, a knell. | ||
| knickerbockers | (old) loose breeches ending at the knee. | ||
| knickers | (informal) a woman’s undergarment with elastic round the waist; panties. | ||
| knick-knack | a small or dainty ornament (a row of knick-knacks on her mantelpiece). | ||
| knife | (pl knives ) a tool with a sharp edge for cutting (stab him with a knife eat his food with a knife and fork). vb to stab with a knife (he planned to knife her to death). | ||
| knight | 1 in olden days, someone of honorable military rank (knights fighting in a tournament). 2 a rank awarded for service to society, entitling the holder to be called Sir (the Queen made him a knight). 3 a piece in chess. vb to make (someone) a knight (a famous footballer knighted by the Queen). | ||
| knight errant | (old) a knight who traveled in search of adventure. | ||
| knighthood | the rank of a knight (receive a knighthood for services to charity). | ||
| knightly | having to do with a knight (knightly behavior). | ||
| knit | (knitted , knitting ) 1 to make woolen thread into garments by means of needles (knit a cardigan). 2 to join closely (broken bones that failed to knit). | ||
| knitting | the thing knitted (leave her knitting on the bus). | ||
| knitting needle | a long needle used for knitting. | ||
| knives | pl of knife. | ||
| knob | 1 a rounded part sticking out from a surface (the knobs on the trunk of a tree). 2 the round handle of something (wooden door knobs). 3 a round control switch (the knobs on the television set). 4 a small lump of something (a knob of butter). | ||
| knob | Collective noun for pintails (A knob of pintails) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| knobbly | covered with lumps, bumpy (knobbly knees). | ||
| knock | 1 to strike (he knocked his head on the low ceiling). 2 to rap on a door (knock at the door). 3 (informal) to criticize (stop knocking him—he’s doing his best). n 1 a blow (a knock on the head). 2 a rap on the door. | ||
| knocker | a hammer attached to a door for knocking (brass door-knockers). | ||
| knock-kneed | having knees that touch in walking. | ||
| knoll | (fml or lit) a little rounded hill (a grassy knoll). | ||
| knot | 1 the twisting of two parts or pieces of string, etc, together so that they will not part until untied (put a knot in the string to tie the parcel). 2 a hard piece of the wood of a tree, from which a branch grew out. 3 a small group of people (a knot of people gossiping at the street corner). 4 a measure of speed at sea (about 1.15 miles per hour). vb to tie in a knot. | ||
| knot | Collective noun for astrologers (A knot of astrologers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| knot | Collective noun for toads (A knot of toads) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| knotty | difficult (a knotty problem). | ||
| know | (pt knew , pp known ) 1 to be aware that (she knew that he was present). 2 to have information or knowledge about (she knows the office system thoroughly/she did not know all the facts before she made her move). 3 to have learned and remember (know a poem by Keats). 4 to be aware of the identity of, to be acquainted with (I know Mary Jones). 5 to recognize or identify (I would never have known her after all these years). | ||
| knowing | showing secret understanding (a knowing smile). | ||
| knowledge | 1 that which is known, information (he had considerable knowledge about America). 2 the whole of what can be learned or found out (there are many branches of knowledge such as astronomy). | ||
| knuckle | a finger joint (graze his knuckles). vb knuckle down to start working hard. knuckle under to be forced to accept the authority of someone, to give in to (he was disobedient but the new teacher made him knuckle under). | ||
| knuckle-duster | a blunt metal instrument fixed onto the hand as a weapon. | ||
| koala | a small bear-like animal found in Australia. | ||
| Koinoniphobia | fear of rooms or rooms full of people (see list of phobias) | ||
| Kolpophobia | fear of genitals, particularly female (see list of phobias) | ||
| Koniology | study of atmospheric pollutants and dust (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Koniophobia | fear of dust (see list of phobias) | ||
| kook | someone who behaves in a crazy or silly way. adj kooky | ||
| kookaburra | an Australian bird (the laughing jackass). | ||
| Kopophobia | fear of fatigue (see list of phobias) | ||
| Koran or Qu’ran | the holy book of Islam, the book of the Muslim religion. | ||
| kosher | 1 of food that has been prepared according to the rules of Jewish law. 2 (informal) genuine, honest, legal (I’m almost certain that his qualifications aren’t kosher). | ||
| Kosmikophobia | fear of cosmic phenomenon (see list of phobias) | ||
| Koumpounophobia | fear of buttons on clothing (see list of phobias) | ||
| Ktenology | study of putting people to death (see list of branches of science) | ||
| kudos | glory, fame, credit (gain a lot of kudos in the village from being interviewed on television). | ||
| kung fu | a Chinese form of unarmed combat using the hands and feet, similar to karate. | ||
| Kymatology | study of wave motion (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Kymophobia | fear of waves (see list of phobias) | ||
| Kynophobia | fear of rabies (see list of phobias) | ||
| Kyphophobia | fear of stooping (see list of phobias) | ||
L
| L, l | the twelfth letter of the alphabet. | ||
| lab | short for laboratory. | ||
| label | a piece of paper or card fixed to something to give information about it (read the ingredients on the label lay-beld lay-bu-ling/, also labelled, labelling (British spelling) to fix a label to (make sure all the parcels are labeled). | ||
| Labeorphily | collection of beer bottle labels (see list of hobbies) | ||
| labor | also labour (British spelling) 1 hard work (manual labor). 2 childbirth. 3 all workers as a body (have difficulty in getting local labor). Also adj. vb 1 to work hard (laboring away at their homework). 2 to be employed to do hard and unskilled work (laboring at the building site). 3 to do something slowly or with difficulty (laboring up the hill). | ||
| Labor Day | a legal holiday celebrated in the US on the first Monday in September. | ||
| laboratory | a workshop used for scientific experiments (the firm’s research laboratory). | ||
| labored (British: laboured) | showing a lot of effort or hard work (a labored styled of writing). | ||
| laborer | also labourer (British spelling) a person who does unskilled work (they were hiring laborers on the building site). | ||
| labyrinth | Collective noun for magazines (A labyrinth of magazines) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| lace | 1 a cord used for tying opposite edges together (a shoe lace). 2 an ornamental network of thread (handkerchiefs edged with lace). vb to fasten with a lace (lacing up her shoes). | ||
| lacerate | 1 to tear, to wound (her leg lacerated by a barbed wire fence). 2 to hurt badly (he lacerated her with his cruel words). n laceration | ||
| Lachanophobia | fear of vegetables (see list of phobias) | ||
| laches | Collective noun for landlords (A laches of landlords) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| lack | to want, to need, to be without (she lacks confidence/the organization lacks funds). n want, need (a lack of money). | ||
| lack | Collective noun for principals (A lack of principals) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| lackey | 1 (old) a servant. 2 someone who behaves like a servant (she is always surrounded by lackeys). | ||
| lackluster (British: lacklustre) | dull, lacking brightness (the pianist gave a very lackluster piano recital). | ||
| laconic | using few words to express a meaning (a laconic way of speaking). | ||
| lacquer | 1 a varnish. 2 a substance used to keep hair in place (spray her hair with lacquer). vb to paint with lacquer. | ||
| lacrosse | a team ball game played with long-handled rackets. | ||
| lactic | having to do with milk. | ||
| lacuna | (pl lacunae ) (formal) a gap, a blank (a lacuna in the manuscript/a lacuna in her knowledge of the subject). | ||
| lad | a boy, a young man (employ a lad to deliver papers/just a lad). | ||
| ladder | 1 a frame of two poles or planks, joined by short crossbars, used as steps for going up or down (climb the ladder to get to the roof). 2 a tear that runs up or down a stocking or tights (bang her leg and get a ladder in her tights). | ||
| laden | loaded (trees laden with apples laden with worries). | ||
| ladle | a large long-handled spoon for lifting liquids (a soup ladle). vb to lift with a ladle (ladling soup into the plates). | ||
| lady | (pl ladies) 1 a woman of rank or with good manners (behave like a lady). 2 (Brit, cap) the title of the wife of a knight or of a man of higher rank (Lady Mary). 3 (formal) a woman (sometimes “lady” is considered a more polite term than “woman”). | ||
| ladybug (British: ladybird) | a small beetle, usually red with black spots. | ||
| lag | (lagged , lagging ) 1 to go too slowly, not to keep pace with, to fall behind (lagging behind the rest of the walkers). 2 not to keep up with (wage increases lagging behind those in other industries). n (informal) an old convict. | ||
| lager | a light, clear beer of German origin (a glass of lager). | ||
| lagoon | a shallow salt-water lake cut off from the sea by sandbanks or rocks. | ||
| laid | pt, pp of lay. | ||
| laid-back | relaxed; easygoing. | ||
| lair | a wild beast’s den (the fox’s lair). | ||
| lake1 | a large stretch of water surrounded by land (Lake Michigan). | ||
| lake2 | a deep red color (artists using lake). | ||
| Laliophobia | fear of speaking (see list of phobias) | ||
| Lalophobia | fear of speaking (see list of phobias) | ||
| lamb | a young sheep (newborn lambs frolicking). | ||
| lame | 1 unable to walk well because of an injured or badly formed leg (horses gone lame). 2 not good, inadequate (a lame excuse). vb to make lame. n lameness. | ||
| lament | 1 to show grief or sorrow for, to mourn for (lament the death of the king). 2 to express regret for (lament the passing of old traditions). n 1 the expressing of great grief. 2 a mournful song or tune. n lamentation | ||
| lamentable | much to be regretted, extremely unsatisfactory (show a lamentable lack of knowledge/the council’s lamentable record). | ||
| laminate | to put a thin layer (e.g. of plastic) over something (laminating table tops). Also n. | ||
| lamp | a vessel for giving light (electric lamps). | ||
| lampoon | something written specially to make another seem foolish or wicked (journalists lampooning the members of the cabinet). | ||
| lance | a long spear used by horse soldiers. vb 1 to wound or hit with a lance. 2 to cut open (lancing a boil). | ||
| lance-corporal | the lowest appointed rank in the British Army, just below that of a corporal. | ||
| land | 1 the solid part of the earth’s surface (prefer land to sea). 2 country (visit lands overseas). 3 ground, soil (the farmer’s land is very fertile). vb to bring, put, or go ashore, to touch down. | ||
| landed | possessing land (landed gentry). | ||
| landfall | 1 a ship’s approach to land at the end of a voyage. 2 the land approached. | ||
| landfill site | a place where waste material is buried under layers of earth, often excavated for this purpose. | ||
| landing | 1 the act of going ashore. 2 a place for going on shore (tie the boat up at the landing). 3 the corridor opening on to the rooms at the top of a flight of stairs (children standing on the landing looking through the banisters). | ||
| landlady | 1 a woman who rents out rooms, flats or houses (their landlady called to collect the rent). 2 a woman who keeps an inn or boarding house (seaside landladies). | ||
| landlord | 1 a man who rents out rooms, flats or houses (the landlord put up the rent). 2 a man who keeps an inn or boarding house. | ||
| landmark | 1 an easily recognized object from which travelers can tell where they are. 2 a very important event (a landmark in British history). Also adj. | ||
| landscape | 1 a view of the country seen from one position. 2 a picture of the countryside (he paints watercolor landscapes). | ||
| landslide | the falling of a mass of earth, etc, down the side of a mountain (the car was buried in the rocks from a landslide). | ||
| landslip | a landslide. | ||
| landward (adjective/adverb) | toward land. | ||
| lane | 1 a narrow road (country lanes). 2 a narrow passage or alley between buildings, often found in place names (Macondray Lane is cobbled). 3 any of the parallel parts into which roads are divided for a single line of traffic (the fast lane on the freeway). 4 the route intended for or regularly used by ships or aircraft (shipping lanes). 5 a marked strip of track, water, etc, for a competitor in a race (swimming lanes). | ||
| language | 1 meaningful speech (humans, unlike animals, use language). 2 the speech of one people (the French language). 3 words (obscene language). | ||
| languid | lacking energy, weak, slow-moving (languid movements). | ||
| languish | to lose strength, to become weak (she languishes when her lover is away). 2 to experience long suffering (languish in prison). | ||
| lank | 1 tall and thin, lanky. 2 straight and limp (lank hair). | ||
| lanky | ungracefully tall and thin (lanky male teenagers). | ||
| lanolin(e) | a soothing ointment made from fat obtained from sheep’s wool. | ||
| lantern | a case, usually of glass, that encloses and protects a light (the farmer carried a lantern to go out to the barn). | ||
| lap | Collective noun for cod (A lap of cod) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| lap1 | 1 the seat formed by the knees and thighs of a person sitting (a child sitting on her mother’s lap). 2 one round of a course in a race (a race of ten laps). | ||
| lap2 | (lapped , lapping ) 1 to lick up (cats lapping milk). 2 to wash against in little waves (the sea lapping the rocks). n the sound made by small waves. | ||
| lapdog | a small pet dog. | ||
| lapel | the folded back part of the breast of a coat or jacket (wearing a rose in his lapel). | ||
| lapis lazuli | a blue precious stone. | ||
| lapse | 1 a mistake, a small error or fault (apart from occasional lapses, her work is first class/brief memory lapses). 2 the passing (of time) (with a lapse of several years). vb 1 to fall out of use (local customs that have lapsed). 2 to come to an end (their contract has lapsed). 3 to pass gradually into a less active or less desirable state (standards have lapsed). | ||
| laptop | a small, light computer that can be operated by battery and can be used on someone’s lap. | ||
| larch | a type of deciduous, cone-bearing tree. | ||
| lard | the fat of pigs, prepared for use in cooking (they fry the potatoes in lard, not oil). | ||
| larder | a room or cupboard for storing food. | ||
| large | more than usual in size, number or amount; big (large sums of money a large house). | ||
| lariat | 1 a rope. 2 a rope with a running knot for catching animals, like a lasso. | ||
| Larithmics | study of population statistics (see list of branches of science) | ||
| lark | 1 a songbird. 2 something done for fun. vb to play tricks. | ||
| larva | (pl larvae ) the form of an insect on coming out of the egg, a grub. | ||
| Laryngology | study of larynx (see list of branches of science) | ||
| larynx | the upper part of the windpipe, containing the vocal chords which produce the voice. | ||
| lasagne | an Italian dish made from layers of flat, wide pasta, a meat or vegetable sauce and a cheese sauce. | ||
| laser | a device which produces a narrow beam of concentrated light (a laser beam). | ||
| lash | 1 the cord of a whip. 2 a blow given with a whip. vb 1 to whip, to strike hard or often. 2 to fasten by tying tightly. | ||
| lass | a girl. | ||
| lasso | (pl lassos or lassoes ) a rope with a running knot for catching animals. vb to catch with a lasso. | ||
| last1 | 1 coming after all others. 2 latest. 3 final. adv at the last time or place. at last in the end. | ||
| last2 | a foot-shaped block on which shoes are made or repaired. | ||
| last3 | 1 to go on. 2 to continue. | ||
| lasting | 1 going on for a long time. 2 remaining in good condition. | ||
| latch | a small piece of wood or metal for keeping a door shut. vb to fasten with a latch. | ||
| latchkey | the key for the main door of a house (children given latchkeys to let themselves into their homes). | ||
| late | 1 arriving after the time fixed (late for the meeting). 2 far on in time (late afternoon). 3 now dead (her late husband). 4 recent (her latest novel late-ness/. of late (formal) recently (she seems tired of late). | ||
| lately | in recent times, recently (I have not seen him lately). | ||
| latent | present but not yet noticeable, not fully developed (latent talent). | ||
| lateral | on, at or from the side (lateral movements). | ||
| lathe | a machine for turning around wood, metal, pottery, etc, while it is being shaped (turn the piece of wood on a lathe). | ||
| lather | 1 froth of soap and water (the lather on his face while he is shaving). 2 froth from sweat (the lather on a horse after a race). vb 1 to cover with lather (lather his face before shaving). 2 to become frothy (soap that lathers easily). | ||
| Latin | the language of ancient Rome. adj 1 having to do with the ancient Romans (the Latin language). 2 having to do with the peoples of France, Italy, Portugal and Spain (Latin peoples). | ||
| latitude | 1 distance north or south of the equator. 2 freedom from controls (they give their children a good deal of latitude). | ||
| latrine | a lavatory, especially in a camp or institution. | ||
| latter | 1 near the end of a period of time (in the latter part of his life). 2 second of two just mentioned (she prefers the former suggestion but I prefer the latter). | ||
| latterly | recently, lately, in the last part of a period of time. | ||
| lattice | a network of crossed bars or strips as of wood (a lattice of pastry on the tart). adj latticed | ||
| laugh | to make a sound expressing amusement or pleasure (laugh at his jokes). n the sound of laughing. | ||
| laughable | causing people to laugh; ridiculous (his laughable attempts to jump the wall). | ||
| laughter | the act or sound of laughing (listen to the children’s laughter). | ||
| laughter | Collective noun for hostlers (A laughter of hostlers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| launch | 1 to put into motion, to send on its course (launch a missile). 2 to cause (a ship) to move into the water (launch a new liner). 3 to put into action, to set going (launch an attack). n 1 the act of launching. 2 a large motorboat. | ||
| launder | to wash and iron (launder his shirts). | ||
| laundry | a place where clothes, etc, are washed and ironed (take the sheets to the laundry). | ||
| laurel | 1 a bay tree whose leaves are used for making wreaths of honor. 2 a special honor (win academic laurels). | ||
| lava | the melted rock emitted by a volcano. | ||
| lavatory | a room with a toilet. | ||
| lavender | 1 a plant with sweet-smelling flowers (lavender bushes/branches of dried lavender). 2 a light purple color. | ||
| lavish | 1 giving freely, generous (a lavish spender). 2 given or spent in great quantities (lavish praise). vb to give or spend lavishly (lavish money on unsound business schemes/lavish attention on his wife). | ||
| law | 1 a rule or set of rules laid down for a people or a group of people by a person or persons with recognized authority (the laws of the land). 2 in science, a statement of the way in which objects regularly behave. | ||
| law-abiding | obeying the law (law-abiding people living next door to vandals). | ||
| lawful | allowed by law (his lawful wife). | ||
| lawless | not keeping the laws, wild (a lawless mob destroying property). | ||
| lawn tennis | tennis played on a grass court (the lawn tennis finals at Wimbledon). | ||
| lawn1 | a stretch of carefully kept grass in a garden (mow the lawn). | ||
| lawn2 | a type of fine linen (a dress of white lawn). | ||
| lawnmower | a machine for cutting grass. | ||
| lawsuit | claiming before a judge that another has broken the law (start a lawsuit against the person who slandered her). | ||
| lawyer | someone skilled in the law (the lawyer who arranged the divorce). | ||
| lax | not sufficiently strict or severe (lax lax teachers too lax with the pupils). | ||
| laxative | a medicine that causes or helps the bowels to empty. Also adj. | ||
| lay1 (past tense) | of lie. | ||
| lay2 | (pt, pp laid ) 1 to cause to lie (lay the injured woman on the ground). 2 to place (lay the books on the table). 3 to make ready (lay the table). 4 to produce eggs. 5 to bet. lay by, lay up to store for the future (lay up trouble for himself). lay oneself open to to put yourself into the position of receiving (lay yourself open to accusations of theft). | ||
| lay3 | (old) a poem or song. | ||
| lay4 | 1 having to do with people who are not members of the clergy. 2 not expert (lay people who do not understand technical language). | ||
| layer | an even spread of one substance over the surface of another (layers of chocolate sponge). | ||
| layman | 1 someone who is not a clergyman. 2 someone who is not an expert or specialist (the doctor tried to explain the situation in layman’s terms). | ||
| laze | to be lazy, to do nothing (holiday-makers lazing on the beach). | ||
| lazy | unwilling to work, liking to do nothing (too lazy to do any work lay-zee-ness/. | ||
| lb | abbreviation for pound | ||
| lead1 | 1 a soft heavy metal (roof covering made of lead). 2 the stick of black lead or graphite in a pencil. 3 a piece of lead attached to a cord for finding the depth of water. 4 npl leads the sheets of lead used for covering roofs. | ||
| lead2 | (pt, pp led ) 1 to go in front to show the way, to guide (lead the mountaineers up the cliff face). 2 to act as a chief or commander (he was leading the attacking troops). 3 to influence (she is easily led). 4 to spend (life) in a certain way (lead a quiet life). n 1 a guiding suggestions or example (follow their lead/police looking for a lead). 2 a chief part (she has the lead in a local production of “Saint Joan”. 3 the position ahead of all others (she is in the lead in the race). 4 a cord, etc, for leading a dog (put the dog on a lead). | ||
| leader | 1 someone who shows the way (act as leader up the mountain track). 2 someone who gives orders or takes charge (the leader of the attacking force). 3 a person or thing that is ahead of others (the leader in the competition). 4 a newspaper article giving an opinion on a news item of interest (also leading article). n leadership | ||
| leading | chief, most important (leading politicians). | ||
| leading question | a question asked in such a way as to suggest the answer desired. | ||
| leaf | (pl leaves ) 1 one of the thin, flat usually green blades growing out of the stem of a plant or the branch of a tree (leaves changing color in autumn). 2 a single sheet of paper in a book with pages printed on both sides (turn over the leaves of the book). 3 the movable part of a table-top or double door (put in the extra leaf in the table). turn over a new leaf to begin to live or act in a better way (he has been in prison but he has decided to turn over a new leaf). | ||
| leaflet | 1 a printed sheet of paper, usually folded and free of charge, containing information (an advertising leaflet/a leaflet on dental care). | ||
| leafy | full of leaves (leafy lanes). | ||
| league | Collective noun for nations (A league of nations) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| league1 | a measure of distance (about three miles). | ||
| league2 | 1 a group of people or nations bound by agreement to help each other (the League of Nations). 2 a group of sports clubs or players that play matches among themselves (a cricket league/a darts league). vb (formal) to join together, to unite (leaguing together to plot against the king). | ||
| leak | 1 a hole by which water escapes (e.g. from a pipe) or enters a dry place. 2 a small accidental hole or crack through which something flows in or out. 3 the accidental or intentional making public of secret information (a leak to the press about confidential government matters). vb 1 to let water in or out (the roof is leaking). 2 to get out through a hole or crack (gas leaking). 3 to make public that which is secret (leak confidential information to the press). | ||
| leakage | act of leaking. | ||
| leaky | (informal) having leaks (leaky roof). | ||
| lean1 | (pt, pp leaned or leant ) 1 to slope to one side (the building leans to the right). 2 to bend (she leant down to pat the dog). 3 to rest against (the ladder was leaning against the wall). 4 to have a preference for (he leans toward the right of the political party). | ||
| lean2 | 1 not having much fat (lean meat). 2 thin, healthily thin (fit lean athletes). n meat without fat. n leanness | ||
| leaning | preference, liking (what are his political leanings). | ||
| leap | (pt, pp leaped or leapt ) to jump (leap out of bed/the deer leapt the fence). n 1 a jump (clear the wall in one leap). 2 the height or distance jumped. | ||
| leap | Collective noun for leopards (A leap of leopards) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| leap year | a year in which there are 366 days, occurring once every 4 years. | ||
| leapfrog | a game in which one player leaps over the others while they are bent over. | ||
| leaping | Collective noun for lords (A leaping of lords) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| learn | (pt, pp learned or learnt ) 1 to gain knowledge or skill, to find out how to do something (learn French/learn how to swim). 2 to come to understand, to realize (she must learn that she has to consider others). 3 to memorize, to fix in the memory (learn a poem by Keats). | ||
| learned | having much knowledge, gained by study. | ||
| learner | someone who is learning (a learner driver/learners of English as a foreign language). | ||
| learning | knowledge gained by study (a man of learning). | ||
| learning disability | often shortened to LD, a problem that someone has in learning basic skills such as reading, which is caused by a physical condition. | ||
| lease | an agreement by which the use of house or land is given to another in return for a fixed annual amount or rent. vb to give or take on lease (leasing a house). | ||
| leash | a cord or strap for leading animals (asked to keep her dog on a leash in the park). vb to hold on a leash. | ||
| leash | Collective noun for greyhounds (A leash of greyhounds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| least | smallest (the least inconvenience). Also n. adv in the smallest degree (I don’t mind in the least). | ||
| leather | material made by preparing animal skins in a certain way (coats made of leather). Also adj. vb (informal) to beat, to thrash (leathered by his father for lying). adj leathery | ||
| leave | 1 permission (she received leave to go home early). 2 permitted absence (on sick leave). 3 holiday (on annual leave). 4 farewell (he took his leave from them). vb (pt, pp left ) 1 to give to another at your death (he left all his money to his son). 2 to cause to be or remain in a particular state or condition (leave the door open/ leave the country without a leader). 3 to go without taking (leave her gloves on the counter). 4 to depart (leave home at an early age). 5 to desert (he has left his wife). 6 to entrust to another (leave getting the food to him). 7 to allow to remain unused, untaken, uneaten, etc (she left most of the meal). | ||
| leaves | pl of leaf. | ||
| lectern | a reading desk for standing at (the lectern on the stage of the hall). | ||
| lecture | 1 a talk on a certain subject (go to a lecture on local history). 2 a scolding (get a lecture from their mother on good manners). vb 1 to give a lecture. 2 to scold. | ||
| lecturer | 1 someone giving a talk (introduce the lecturer on local history). 2 someone who teaches in a college or university. | ||
| led | pt, pp of lead | ||
| ledge | 1 a narrow shelf (a window ledge). 2 a ridge (climbers sheltering on a ledge). | ||
| ledger | the chief account book of a business. | ||
| leech | 1 a blood-sucking worm (leeches used to be used in medicine). 2 (old) a doctor. | ||
| leek | a vegetable with broad flat leaves (a soup made with leeks). | ||
| leer | to look at sideways in a sly or unpleasant way (he leered at the girl). Also n. | ||
| left | pt, pp of leave. | ||
| left2 | 1 the side opposite to the right (drive on the left of the road). 2 (cap) supporters of varying degrees of political, social and intellectual change. adj of or relating to the political or intellectual left. | ||
| left-handed | better able to use the left hand than the right (left-handed people). | ||
| leg | 1 one of the limbs on which an animal stands or moves. 2 a support for a table, chair, etc (a table with uneven legs). on one’s last legs near the end of your power, life, etc (the firm is on its last legs). pull a person’s leg to play a joke on someone (he was pulling her leg when he said there was a bear standing behind her). | ||
| legacy | that which is left to someone by will (receive a legacy from his uncle). | ||
| legal | 1 having to do with the law (legal proceedings). 2 allowed by law (legal activities). | ||
| legality | lawfulness (question the legality of his actions). | ||
| legalize | also legalise (British spelling) to make lawful (a suggestion that some drugs should be legalized). | ||
| legend | 1 an ancient story passed on by word of mouth (legends about giants). 2 the words written under a picture, etc (the legend below the illustration is wrong). | ||
| legendary | 1 having to do with ancient legends, famous in story, existing only in story (legendary beasts her legendary beauty). | ||
| leggings | a thick covering for the lower leg (girls wearing leggings and short skirts). | ||
| leggy | (informal) having very long legs (leggy young women). | ||
| leghorn | a type of hen. | ||
| legible | possible to read (handwriting that is scarcely legible). n legibility | ||
| legion | 1 a Roman regiment or division (3000–6000 soldiers). 2 a great number (people came to hear him in their legions). | ||
| legion | Collective noun for devils (A legion of devils) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| legionary | a soldier belonging to a legion. | ||
| legislate | to make laws (legislating against smoking in public buildings). | ||
| legislation | 1 the act of making laws. 2 the laws made (new legislation brought in against the import of certain goods). | ||
| legislative | having the power or right to make laws (a legislative assembly). | ||
| legislator | someone who makes laws. | ||
| legislature | the part of a government that makes laws. | ||
| legitimate | 1 allowed by law, lawful (a legitimate claim/a legitimate business). 2 born of married parents (they married just before their daughter was born so that she would be legitimate). | ||
| legume | a plant that bears seeds in pods (e.g. peas, beans, etc). | ||
| leisure | spare time, time free from work (little time for leisure/leisure activities). | ||
| leisurely | slow, unhurried (work at a leisurely pace). Also adv. | ||
| lemming | a small rat-like animal of far northern regions. | ||
| lemon | 1 a pale yellow sharp-tasting fruit (buy lemons to flavor the drinks). 2 the tree bearing this fruit. 3 a pale yellow color (paint the walls lemon). | ||
| lemonade , lemon squash | a drink made from or tasting of lemon juice. | ||
| lemur | a monkey-like animal. | ||
| lend | (pt, pp lent ) to give something to another on condition that it is returned after use (lend her a book len-der/. | ||
| length | measurement from end to end of space or time (measure the length of the room/ estimate the length of a journey). at length 1 at last (at length we understood what he was trying to say). 2 taking a long time, in detail (she explained it at length). | ||
| lengthen | to make or become longer (curtains requiring to be lengthened). | ||
| lengthwise (British: lengthways) | in the direction of the length (measure the room lengthways). | ||
| lengthy | very long (a lengthy sermon/a lengthy delay). | ||
| lenient | 1 merciful (a lenient judge). 2 not severe (a lenient sentence). n lenience , leniency | ||
| lens | a transparent substance, usually glass, with a surface curved in such a way that objects seen through it appear bigger or smaller. | ||
| Lent | the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter during which Christ’s fast in the desert is commemorated. | ||
| lentil | the edible seed of a pea-like plant (a soup made of lentils). | ||
| leopard | a large, spotted animal of the cat family. | ||
| leper | a person with leprosy. | ||
| Lepidopterology | study of butterflies and moths (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Lepidopterophobia | fear of butterflies and moths (see list of phobias) | ||
| Lepraphobia | fear of leprosy (see list of phobias) | ||
| leprechaun | in fairytales, an elf, especially in Ireland. | ||
| Leprology | study of leprosy (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Leprophobia | fear of leprosy (see list of phobias) | ||
| leprosy | an infectious disease that eats away the skin and parts of the body. adj leprous | ||
| lesion | (formal) an injury, a wound (lesions on his back caused by a beating). | ||
| less | smaller, not so much (earn less money). n a smaller amount (she gave him less). adv not so greatly, not so much (she likes him less now). | ||
| lessen | to make or become less (lessen the pain). | ||
| lesser | less, smaller (a lesser problem). | ||
| lesson | 1 something that is learned or taught (give French lessons/take piano lessons). 2 a period of teaching (feel ill during the science lesson). 3 a passage read from the Bible (read the lesson in church). 4 an example (her courage is a lesson to us all). | ||
| let | (let , letting ) 1 to allow (let the children go to the cinema). 2 to allow the use of for rent or payment (let a room in their house to a student). n the act of letting for rent (a short-term let). | ||
| lethal | causing death (a lethal dose of poison). | ||
| lethargic | sleepy, slow-moving, lacking interest (feel lethargic after her illness). | ||
| lethargy | lack of energy and interest (the lethargy brought on by extreme heat). | ||
| letter | 1 a sign standing for a sound (the letter “h”). 2 a written message (write a letter of apology). 3 (formal) pl literature, learning (men of letters). letter of credit a letter allowing the holder to draw money when away from home. to the letter exactly (carry out her instructions to the letter). | ||
| lettered | (formal) well read. | ||
| lettering | letters that have been drawn, painted, etc (lettering on shop windows). | ||
| lettuce | a plant whose leaves are used in salads (a salad of lettuce and tomatoes). | ||
| leukemia | also leukaemia (British spelling) a serious disease in which too many white blood cells are produced. | ||
| Leukophobia | fear of the color white (see list of phobias) | ||
| levee | 1 (old) a morning party at which guests were introduced to the king or queen. 2 a raised bank at the side of a river. | ||
| level | 1 a flat, even surface (he can walk on the level but not uphill). 2 a sealed tube filled with alcohol and containing an air bubble that is stationary in the middle of the tube when it is level in order to set horizontal surfaces. 3 a general standard of quality or quantity (a high level of achievement). 4 a horizontal division or floor in a house, etc (a garden on two levels). adj 1 flat. 2 even. 3 on the same line or height. vb (leveled , leveling ) 1 to make flat (level the ground). 2 to make equal (level the score). 3 to destroy, to demolish (the bulldozer leveled the block of flats). 4 to aim (level his gun at the enemy soldier). | ||
| level crossing | a place where a railway line crosses the surface of a road (the car had to stop at the level crossing until the train passed). | ||
| level-headed | sensible (he is very level-headed and dealt with the emergency calmly and efficiently). | ||
| lever | a bar for raising heavy objects (use a lever to remove the tire from the wheel). | ||
| leverage | power gained by the use of a lever (not enough leverage to raise the huge metal block). | ||
| leveret | a young hare. | ||
| leviathan | 1 a sea monster. 2 anything very large. | ||
| levity | (formal) lack of seriousness (treating the matter of her exams with too much levity). | ||
| Levophobia | fear of things to the left side of the body (see list of phobias) | ||
| levy | 1 to bring together men to form an army. 2 to collect money for a tax (levied taxes on alcohol). n 1 the soldiers who have been assembled. 2 the money that has been collected. | ||
| lewd | indecent, obscene (singing lewd songs). n lewdness | ||
| lexicographer | someone who prepares a dictionary. | ||
| Lexicology | study of words and their meanings (see list of branches of science) | ||
| lexicon | a dictionary. | ||
| liability | 1 debt (liabilities that exceed his assets). 2 the state of being liable (his liability to colds/exempt from any liability in the matter). 3 something for which someone is responsible (the dog is his liability). | ||
| liable | 1 likely to have to do or suffer from (liable to lose her temper liable to flood). 2 legally responsible for (liable for his wife’s debts). 3 likely to get, be punished with, etc (trespassers are liable to a large fine). | ||
| liaison | 1 a close connection or working association (important that the two departments maintain a liaison). 2 (formal) an unlawful sexual relationship (he had a liaison with a married women). | ||
| liar | someone who tells lies. | ||
| libel | something written that damages a person’s reputation (being sued for libel). Also vb (libeled , libeling ). | ||
| libelous | hurtful to someone’s reputation (a libelous statement in the newspapers). | ||
| liberal | 1 generous (a liberal supply of food). 2 ready to accept new ideas (liberal attitudes). 3 (of education) intended solely to develop the powers of the mind. n someone who believes in greater political freedom. | ||
| liberality | (formal) readiness to give to others (the liberality of their host). | ||
| liberate | to set free (liberating the city held by the enemy). n liberation | ||
| libertine | (formal) someone who openly leads a wicked, immoral life. | ||
| liberty | 1 freedom (ex-prisoners enjoying new-found liberty). 2 the right to do as you like (you are at liberty to leave if you wish). 3 too great freedom of speech or action (it was taking a liberty to borrow my car without permission). | ||
| librarian | someone in charge of a library. | ||
| library | 1 a collection of books (a fiction library and a reference library). 2 a room or building in which books are kept (build a new library). | ||
| library | Collective noun for books (A library of books) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| libretto | (pl libretti ) the book of words of an opera or musical work (he wrote the music and his wife the libretto). | ||
| lice | see louse. | ||
| license | also licence (British spelling) 1 a written permission to do or keep something (a license to drive a car). 2 (formal) too much freedom of action (allow his children too much license). vb 1 to give a license to (he is licensed to sell alcohol). 2 to give permission to. | ||
| licensee | someone to whom a license is given (the owner of the pub is the licensee). | ||
| licentiate | someone who, having passed the necessary examinations, is allowed to carry on a certain profession. | ||
| licentious | (formal) behaving in an immoral or improper way, indecent (he was licentious as a young man but regrets it now). n licentiousness | ||
| lichen | a moss that grows on rocks, tree trunks, etc. | ||
| Lichenology | study of lichens (see list of branches of science) | ||
| licit | (formal) lawful (licit pleasures). | ||
| lick | 1 to pass the tongue over (the dog licked her hand). 2 to take (food or drink) into the mouth with the tongue (lick the ice cream). 3 (informal) to defeat (we licked the other team). 4 (informal) to thrash (he will get licked for breaking the window). n 1 act of passing the tongue over. 2 a blow. | ||
| licking | (informal) a thrashing (get a good licking for breaking the window). | ||
| licorice | 1 a black sweet-tasting root used in making medicines and sweets and candy. 2 a kind of sweet made from this. | ||
| lid | the movable cover of a pot, box, etc (the lid of the jar is stiff). | ||
| lie | Collective noun for golfers (A lie of golfers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| lie1 | a statement that the maker knows to be untrue (tell a lie to try to avoid being punished). vb (lied , lying ) to tell a lie (it was obvious that he was lying). | ||
| lie2 | lay , (lying , lain ) 1 to put the body full length upon (she wants to lie on the beach all day). 2 to be or remain in a certain place (the book was lying on the table). n the way in which something lies. | ||
| liege | (old) 1 someone owing certain duties to a lord. 2 a lord. | ||
| liege lord | (old) a lord to whom certain duties are owed (the king was the knight’s liege lord). | ||
| lieu | in lieu of instead of (extra holiday in lieu of wages for working overtime). | ||
| lieutenant | 1 (formal) someone who does the work of another, deputy (sent one of her lieutenants to deal with the complaint). 2 a naval or army officer. | ||
| life | (pl lives ) 1 the state of being alive (there is no life left in the injured man). 2 the force existing in animals and plants that gives them the ability to change with the passing of time. 3 liveliness, activity (a house without life after the children left). 4 the time someone has been alive (he worked hard all his life). 5 the story of someone’s life (publish a life of the poet). | ||
| life cycle | the series of forms into which a living thing changes during its development (the life cycle of the frog). | ||
| life span | the length of time that someone is likely to live or something is likely to function (The life span of the average soldier was very short then). | ||
| lifebelt | a belt of a material that floats easily and so helps to prevent the wearer sinking when in water. | ||
| lifeboat | a boat that goes to the help of those in danger at sea. | ||
| lifebuoy | an object that floats easily and to which shipwrecked people can hold until help arrives. | ||
| lifeless | 1 dead (pull the lifeless bodies from the sea). 2 dull (lifeless hair). 3 not lively (a lifeless performance). | ||
| lifelike | seeming to have life (a lifelike portrait). | ||
| lifelong | lasting through life (a lifelong friendship). | ||
| life-size , life-sized | of the same size as the person or thing represented (a life-size statue of the king). | ||
| lifestyle | the way in which someone lives (an affluent lifestyle). | ||
| lifetime | the length of time a person lives (he experienced several wars in his lifetime). | ||
| lift | 1 to raise up higher (lift the flag above his head). 2 to take up (lift the baby from the pram). n 1 a machine by which people or goods are carried from floor to floor of a building. 2 a free ride in a private vehicle (get a lift to work from his neighbor). | ||
| ligament | a band of tough substance joining bones together at joints (strain a ligament). | ||
| ligature | 1 (formal) a bandage. 2 a cord for tying up the end of a blood vessel during an operation. 3 two letters joined together in type (e.g. æ). | ||
| light bulb | a glass bulb containing a wire (filament) or a gas that glows when it is supplied with electricity. | ||
| light year | the distance light travels in a year. | ||
| light1 | 1 that which makes it possible for the eye to see things. 2 anything that gives light, as the sun, a lamp, etc (a bedside light). 3 knowledge, understanding (unable to throw any light on the problem). 4 brightness in the eyes or face (a light in his eye). adj 1 clear, not dark (it’s getting light). 2 not deep or dark in color (light green lit/) to give light to, to set fire to (light the fire). | ||
| light2 | 1 not heavy (light loads). 2 not difficult (light tasks). 3 not severe (a light punishment). 4 small in amount (a light rainfall). 5 not serious, for entertainment (light reading). 6 graceful (light on her feet). 7 happy, merry (light of heart). | ||
| light3 | to come upon by chance (light upon the solution). | ||
| lighten1 | to make bright (lighten the mood). | ||
| lighten2 | to make less heavy (lighten the load). | ||
| lighter1 | a device for setting something (e.g. a cigarette) alight. | ||
| lighter2 | a large boat, usually flat-bottomed, for carrying goods from ship to shore. | ||
| light-fingered | (informal) thieving (detectives watching for light-fingered people in shops). | ||
| light-footed | nimble, quick on your feet (light-footed dancers). | ||
| light-headed | giddy, dizzy (feel light-headed after drinking the wine). | ||
| light-hearted | 1 merry, cheerful. 2 not serious (a light-hearted account of the event). | ||
| lighthouse | a tower with a light to guide ships. | ||
| lightning | the electric flash seen before thunder is heard (a tree struck by lightning). | ||
| lightning rod , lightning conductor | a metal rod that protects a building from lightning by conducting the flash to the earth. | ||
| lights | the lungs of an animal, such as a sheep, used as food. | ||
| lightship | an anchored ship with a light to guide other ships. | ||
| lignite | a type of brown coal. | ||
| Ligyrophobia | fear of loud noises (see list of phobias) | ||
| like1 | nearly the same, resembling (have like attitudes they are as like as two peas). (preposition) in the same way as (she walks like her mother). n a person or thing nearly the same as or equal to another (you will not see his like again). | ||
| like2 | 1 to be pleased by (she liked the play). 2 to be fond of (she likes children/she does not like her next-door neighbor). | ||
| likeable, likable | attractive, pleasant. | ||
| likelihood | probability (have little likelihood of success). | ||
| likely | 1 probable (the likely result). 2 suitable (the more likely of the candidates). adv probably (they’ll very likely arrive late). | ||
| liken | to compare (she likened her relationship with him to a battle). | ||
| likeness | 1 resemblance (I saw little likeness between mother and daughter). 2 a picture of a person (the artist’s likeness of his wife). | ||
| likes | things that are pleasing to someone (we all have our likes and dislikes). | ||
| likewise | 1 in the same way (he left early and she did likewise). 2 also (Mr Jones was sacked and likewise Mr Smith). | ||
| liking | a fondness or preference for (a liking for classical music/a liking for fast food). | ||
| lilac | 1 a small tree with light-purple or white flowers (the sweet smell of lilac). 2 a light purple color. adj light purple (lilac wool). | ||
| Lilapsophobia | fear of tornadoes and hurricanes (see list of phobias) | ||
| lilt | to sing cheerfully. n 1 a regular pattern of rising and falling sound (Scots people speaking with a lilt). 2 a cheerful song. 3 a tune with a strongly marked rhythm. | ||
| lilting | having a strongly marked lilt (a lilting voice). | ||
| lily | a flower grown from a bulb, often white in color. | ||
| lily of the valley | a flower with small white bells and a distinctive sweet smell. | ||
| Limacology | study of slugs (see list of branches of science) | ||
| limb | 1 an arm, leg or wing (fracture a limb). 2 a branch of a tree (a cat stuck on a limb of the oak tree). | ||
| limber | (old) a small two-wheeled ammunition carriage that travels with a gun. | ||
| limber2 | moving and bending easily, supple (he is elderly but still very limber). vb limber up to exercise in order to make more supple (dancers limbering up for a performance). | ||
| limbo | 1 a place where, it is supposed, the souls of those who die in complete ignorance of God spend eternity. 2 a place where someone is forgotten or neglected, a state of uncertainty (she is in limbo waiting to get the results of three job interviews). | ||
| lime juice | a drink made from the juice of the lime. | ||
| lime1 | a white substance got by heating certain kinds of rock. | ||
| lime2 | 1 a small lemon-like, yellowish-green fruit (flavor the dessert with the juice of a lime). 2 the tree bearing this fruit. 3 the linden tree. | ||
| limelight | in the limelight in a position in which someone’s actions are followed with interest by many people (senior members of the government always in the limelight). | ||
| limerick | a humorous or nonsense poem written in a special five-line stanza. | ||
| limestone | rock containing a lot of lime. | ||
| limit | 1 a boundary (the limits of his estate). 2 that which you may not go past (the limit of his patience). 3 the greatest or smallest amount or number that is fixed as being correct, legal, necessary, desirable, etc (the government imposed a 4% limit on pay increases). vb to keep within bounds (try to limit your expenditure on entertainment to $50 per week/we must limit the audience to 200). | ||
| limitation | 1 that which limits (the limitations imposed by time). 2 inability to do something, weakness (all of us have our limitations). | ||
| limited | 1 small in amount (a limited supply of food). 2 not very great, large, wide-ranging, etc (of limited experience). | ||
| limn | (old) to draw or paint. | ||
| Limnobiology | study of freshwater ecosystems (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Limnology | study of bodies of fresh water (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Limnophobia | fear of lakes (see list of phobias) | ||
| limp1 | to walk lamely (he limps after the accident to his leg). Also n. | ||
| limp2 | 1 not stiff, drooping (limp lettuce leaves). 2 without energy or strength (feel limp after her illness/a limp handshake). | ||
| limpet | a shellfish that clings tightly to rocks. | ||
| limpid | clear, transparent (look into the limpid stream). | ||
| linchpin | 1 the pin passed through the end of an axle to keep the wheel on it. 2 a person who is very important to the running of a form or organization (the senior secretary is the linchpin of the whole firm). | ||
| linden | a kind of tree with yellow sweet-smelling flowers, the lime tree. | ||
| line | 1 a small rope or cord (washing hanging on the line to dry). 2 a thin mark made with a pen, pencil, etc (put a line under the important words). 3 a row of persons or things (a line of people waiting to get tickets from the box office). 4 a row of words on a page (there were fifty lines on one page of the book). 5 a short letter (drop him a line to say hello). 6 a railway track (the main London line). 7 ancestors and descendants (of the royal line). 8 a fleet of steamers, airplanes, etc, providing regular services (a passenger line). 9 (informal) the equator. 10 a telephone wire. 11 (informal) way of behaving or of earning your living (what line is he in?). 12 pl the positions of an army ready to attack or defend (behind the enemy lines). vb 1 to mark with lines (age had lined her face). 2 to arrange in a row or rows (lining the children up). 3 to cover on the inside (line the dress with silk). | ||
| line | Collective noun for kings (A line of kings) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| lineage | someone’s ancestors (of royal lineage). | ||
| lineal | passed down from father to son. | ||
| lineament | (formal) a noticeable feature of the face (admire her noble lineaments). | ||
| linear | having to do with lines (a linear diagram). | ||
| linen | cloth made of flax (dresses made of white linen). | ||
| liner | 1 a large ocean-going passenger ship. 2 something that lines. | ||
| linesman | someone who assists an umpire or referee by signaling when a ball is out of play (linesmen on the football pitch). | ||
| ling | 1 a fish of the cod family. 2 heather. | ||
| linger | 1 to delay before going (let’s not linger—it’s getting dark). 2 to stay about, to last or continue for a long time (the smell lingered/doubts that lingered). | ||
| lingerie | women’s underclothing (the shop’s lingerie department). | ||
| lingo | (informal) a language (he didn’t learn the language of the country and complained about not understanding the lingo). | ||
| lingua franca | a mixed language in which people of different languages may speak to each other. | ||
| lingual | (formal) 1 having to do with the tongue. 2 having to do with language. | ||
| linguist | someone skilled in foreign languages (a linguist looking for work as a translator). | ||
| linguistic | having to do with the study of languages (note some linguistic changes). n linguistics | ||
| Linguistics | study of language (see list of branches of science) | ||
| liniment | an ointment or oil rubbed into the body to prevent stiffness (athletes rubbing liniment into their legs). | ||
| lining | the covering of the inside of something, such as a garment or box (a coat with a fake fur lining). | ||
| link | 1 one ring of a chain (break one of the links of the silver chain round her neck). 2 that which connects one thing with another (a link between poverty and crime). 3 in the imperial system, 1/100 part of a chain (= 7.92 inches). vb to connect, to join (the police are linking the three robberies). | ||
| links | 1 flat sandy, grassy ground by the seashore. 2 a seaside golf course. | ||
| linoleum | a floor covering made of cloth coated with linseed oil. | ||
| Linonophobia | fear of string (see list of phobias) | ||
| Linotype™ | a machine that prepares whole lines of printing type at a time. | ||
| linseed | the seed of flax. | ||
| lint | linen specially prepared for dressing open wounds (cover the grazed knee with lint and a bandage). | ||
| lintel | the wood or stone across the top of a window or door (the tall man hit his head on the lintel of the door). | ||
| lion | 1 a large flesh-eating animal of the cat family (the large tawny mane of the lion). 2 a famous and important person (the after-dinner speaker will be one of our literary lions). f liones lion’s share the largest share (her big brother always took the lion’s share of the food). | ||
| lion-hearted | very brave. | ||
| lionize | also lionise (British spelling) to treat a person as if he or she were famous (he is only a minor poet but he is lionized by the people in the village where he lives). | ||
| lip | 1 either of the edges of the opening of the mouth (she bit her lip to try to stop crying). 2 the edge or brim of anything (the lip of the cup). | ||
| Lipperhey, Hans | German-Dutch spectacle-maker and inventor of telescope | ||
| lip-read | to understand what a person is saying from the movements of his or her lips (she is deaf and she lip-reads well). | ||
| lipstick | a kind of pencil or crayon used to color the lips (wear bright red lipstick). | ||
| liquefy | to make or become liquid (butter that liquefied in the heat of the kitchen). n liquefaction | ||
| liqueur | a sweetly flavored alcoholic drink (drink liqueurs after dinner/a liqueur flavored with coffee). | ||
| liquid | 1 in the form of a liquid (liquid soap). 2 clear (liquid eyes). 3 (of sounds) smooth and clear, as the letter r or l. n a substance that flows and has no fixed shape, a substance that is not a solid or gas. | ||
| liquidate | 1 to pay debts. 2 to close down a business when it has too many debts. 3 to put an end to, to get rid of, to destroy (liquidating the terrorist leader). n liquidation | ||
| liquor | 1 strong alcoholic drink, such as spirits (drink beer but not liquor). 2 the liquid produced from cooked food (the liquor from the baked ham). | ||
| liquorice | see licorice. | ||
| lisp | 1 to say the sound th for s when speaking. 2 to speak as a small child does (a little girl lisping a poem). Also n. | ||
| list1 | a series of names, numbers, etc, written down in order one after the other (making a shopping list/have a long list of people waiting for houses). vb to write down in order (list the people present). | ||
| list2 | to lean over to one side (boats listing in the storm). Also n. | ||
| listen | 1 to try to hear (listen to music as she worked). 2 to pay attention to (listen to his mother’s advice). n listener | ||
| listless | lacking energy, uninterested (feel listless after the long winter). | ||
| lit | pt, pp of light. | ||
| litany | a form of public prayer with responses given by the worshippers. | ||
| litany | Collective noun for lutists (A litany of lutists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| liter | in the metric system, a measure of liquid volume (about 13/4 pints in the imperial system). abbreviation l. | ||
| literacy | ability to read and write (worried about the lack of literacy in the country). | ||
| literal | 1 with each word given its ordinary meaning, word for word (a literal translation). 2 following the exact meaning without any exaggeration or anything added from the imagination (a literal account of what happened). adv literally | ||
| literary | having to do with literature or with writing as a career (have literary tastes). | ||
| literate | 1 able to read and write (a disturbing number of people who are scarcely literate). 2 having read a great deal (literate people who enjoy discussing books). | ||
| literature | 1 the books, etc, written on a particular subject (all the literature relating to drug abuse). 2 written works of lasting interest and of fine quality and artistic value (study English literature). | ||
| lithe | able to bend or twist easily and gracefully (the lithe bodies of the young gymnasts). | ||
| Liticaphobia | fear of lawsuits (see list of phobias) | ||
| litmus | a blue dye turned red by acids. | ||
| litre | British spelling for liter. | ||
| litter | 1 (old) a light bed that can be carried about, a stretcher. 2 bedding of straw, etc, for animals. 3 the young of an animal born at one time (a litter of five pups). 4 (British spelling) trash; scraps of paper and rubbish lying about (pick up the litter and put it in a bin). vb 1 to throw away untidily (litter the streets with the packaging from fast food). 2 (of animals) to give birth to. | ||
| litter | Collective noun for cubs (A litter of cubs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| litter | Collective noun for piglets (A litter of piglets) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| litter | Collective noun for puppies (A litter of puppies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| litter | Collective noun for whelps (A litter of whelps) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| little | 1 small (little black birds). 2 short (he was only a little fellow). 3 young (little children). n 1 a small amount (pay a little at a time). 2 a short time (I’ll be there in a little). adv not much (think little of her work). | ||
| Liturgiology | study of liturgical forms and church rituals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| live wire | 1 a wire through which an electric current is passing. 2 a person with a lot of energy (she’s a real live wire who’s fun to have around). | ||
| live1 | 1 to have life, to exist, to be alive (everything that lives live by hunting). 6 to pass or spend one’s life (living a life of luxury). live down to live in a way that makes others overlook one’s past faults (he will never live it down if his neighbors discover he has been in prison). | ||
| live2 | 1 having life, alive (a cat with a live mouse). 2 full of energy, capable of becoming active (live electrical wires). 3 heard or seen as the event takes place, not recorded (a live broadcast). 4 burning (live coals). | ||
| livelihood | the work by which one earns one’s living (earn his livelihood by driving taxis). | ||
| livelong | 1 seeming long (he snored the livelong night). 2 (formal) whole (children playing in the sun the livelong day). | ||
| lively | active, energetic, cheerful (a lively child live-lee-ness/. | ||
| liven | to make more cheerful (try to liven up the party). | ||
| liver | 1 an organ inside the body that helps to cleanse the blood (get a liver transplant). 2 this organ from certain animals used as food (liver and onions). | ||
| livery | a special uniform worn by servants in one household (footmen wearing the queen’s livery). | ||
| livestock | animals kept on a farm. | ||
| livid | 1 discolored, black and blue (livid bruises). 2 (old) pale (a livid face). 3 (informal) very angry (she was livid with her son for being late). | ||
| living | 1 a means of providing oneself with what is necessary for life (what does he do for a living?). 2 employment as a member of clergy in the Church of England. | ||
| lizard | a four-footed reptile with a long tail. | ||
| llama | a South American animal of the camel family. | ||
| llano | one of the vast grassy plains of South America. | ||
| lo (interjection) | (old or lit) look! (lo! a light has suddenly appeared). | ||
| load | 1 to put a burden on the back of an animal (load the donkey). 2 to put goods into a vehicle (load the van). 3 to put a heavy weight on (load him with responsibility). 4 to put ammunition into a gun (load his revolver). 5 to put film into a camera. n 1 that which is carried (the lorry’s load). 2 a weight (a load on her mind). 3 a cargo (the ship’s load). | ||
| load | Collective noun for diapers (A load of diapers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| load | Collective noun for dirty clothes (A load of dirty clothes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| load | Collective noun for drunks (A load of drunks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| loadstar | see lodestar | ||
| loadstone | see lodestone. | ||
| loaf1 | (pl loaves ) bread made into a shape convenient for selling (a loaf of brown bread). | ||
| loaf2 | to pass time without doing anything, to laze around (loafing around street corners instead of going to work). n loafer | ||
| loam | a sand and clay soil. adj loamy | ||
| loan | that which is lent (get a loan from the bank). | ||
| loath, loth | unwilling (she was loath to leave home). | ||
| loathe | to hate (she loathed the nasty old man/loathes living there). | ||
| loathing | hate, disgust (look at him with sheer loathing). | ||
| loathsome | hateful, disgusting (a loathsome creature). | ||
| loaves | plural of loaf | ||
| lob | (lobbed , lobbing ) to hit, kick or throw a ball gently into the air (lob the tennis ball over the net). Also n. | ||
| lobby | 1 an entrance hall (hotel lobbies). 2 a group of people trying to influence the decisions of the government (the anti-motorway lobby). vb to try to influence decisions of the government. | ||
| lobe | the fleshy hanging part of the ear (earrings are worn on the lobes of the ears). | ||
| lobelia | a kind of garden flower, often blue, white or red in color. | ||
| lobster | a long-tailed jointed shellfish. | ||
| lobster pot | a baited basket for trapping lobsters. | ||
| local | having to do with a particular place (local history/local people). n a local. | ||
| local color | in a picture or story, accuracy over details of place to make it more realistic (his descriptions of the village inhabitants added local color to his novel). | ||
| locality | a district, area, neighborhood (she has lived in the same locality for years). | ||
| localize | also localise (British spelling) to keep to one place or district (the disease seems to be localized). | ||
| locate | 1 to find the place of (try to locate the source of the infection). 2 to fix or set in a certain place (the houses are located by the village green). | ||
| location | 1 place (live in a pleasant location). 2 the place where a story is filmed (the filming was carried out on location in Scotland). | ||
| loch | a lake, especially in Scotland. 2 an arm of the sea. | ||
| lock | 1 a fastening bolt moved by a key (turn the key in the lock). 2 the part of a gun by which it is fired. 3 a section of a canal, enclosed by gates, in which the amount of water can be increased to raise a ship to a higher level, or vice versa. 4 a firm grasp (the wrestler held his opponent in a lock). 5 a curl of hair. vb 1 to fasten with lock and key (lock the door/lock the safe). 2 to hold firmly (lovers locked in a passionate embrace). 3 to jam, to become fixed or blocked (the car’s wheels have locked). lock, stock and barrel altogether, completely (he moved out of the flat, lock, stock and barrel). | ||
| lock | Collective noun for hair (A lock of hair) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| locker | a small cupboard with a lock (his locker in the changing rooms). | ||
| locket | a small metal case, often containing a picture, worn on a chain round the neck as an ornament (a silver locket containing a lock of her husband’s hair). | ||
| Lockiophobia | fear of childbirth (see list of phobias) | ||
| lockjaw | 1 (fam) tetanus. 2 a condition in which the muscles of the jaw become so stiff that the mouth cannot be opened, usually a sign of tetanus. | ||
| locksmith | one who makes or repairs locks. | ||
| lock-up | 1 a cell in a prison (he’s in a lock-up in the local police station). 2 a garage in which a car can be locked away (his lock-up is some way from his house). | ||
| locomotion | (formal) movement from place to place (the sideways locomotion of a crab). | ||
| locomotive | a railway engine. | ||
| locust | a large grasshopper that feeds on and destroys crops (a swarm of locusts destroyed much of the crop before it could be harvested). | ||
| lode | a vein of metal in a crack in a rock. | ||
| lodestar | 1 the star by which one sets a course, the Pole star. 2 a guide or example to follow (he was so successful that he acted as a lodestar to his fellow workers). Also loadstar. | ||
| lodestone | a stone containing magnetic iron, formerly used as a compass. Also loadstone. | ||
| lodge | 1 a small house originally for a gatekeeper at the entrance to a park, church, etc (he lives in the manor house but his mother lives in the lodge). 2 the meeting place of a society (e.g. Freemasons) or the members meeting there (a Masonic lodge). 3 a house for a hunting party (live at the shooting lodge for the stag-hunting season). 4 a house or cabin used occasionally for some seasonal activity (a ski lodge). vb 1 to put in a certain place (lodge documents with his solicitor). 2 to stay in another’s house on payment (students lodging with locals). 3 to fix in (a bullet lodged in her shoulder). lodge a complaint to make a complaint before an official. | ||
| lodger | one who stays in hired rooms in another’s house (take in lodgers to make money to live). | ||
| lodging | a place where one can stay on payment (look for cheap lodging in town). | ||
| loft | 1 the space or room under the roof of a building (keep old toys and furniture in the loft). 2 a room over a stable. 3 a gallery in a hall or church. vb to strike upward (loft the ball). | ||
| lofty | 1 (lit) very high (the lofty walls of the city). 2 of high moral quality (lofty aims). 3 proud, haughty (with a lofty disregard for other people’s feelings). n loftiness. | ||
| log | 1 a piece sawn from the trunk or one of the large branches of a tree (cut logs for the fire). 2 an instrument for measuring the speed of ships. 3 an official written record of a journey (a ship’s log). | ||
| loganberry | a fruit like a raspberry. | ||
| logarithms | numbers arranged in a table to help when making calculations. | ||
| logbook | 1 a book in which the rate of progress of a ship is written daily. 2 an official record of a journey (details of the flight found in the logbook). 3 the registration document of a car. | ||
| loggerheads | at loggerheads quarrelling (she’s been at loggerheads with her neighbors for years). | ||
| logic | 1 the art or science of reasoning (study logic). 2 a particular way of thinking or reasoning (we were unable to follow her logic). 3 (informal) reasonable thinking, good sense (there’s no logic in her decision). | ||
| logical | 1 having to do with logic. 2 well-reasoned (a logical argument). 3 able to reason correctly (logical people). | ||
| logician | one skilled in logic. | ||
| Logizomechanophobia | fear of computers (see list of phobias) | ||
| logo | a special symbol or design that an organization uses on its products, notepaper, etc. (The firm’s logo resembled a thistle). | ||
| Logophobia | fear of words. (see list of phobias) | ||
| Loimology | study of plagues and epidemics (see list of branches of science) | ||
| loin | 1 a piece of meat cut from the back of an animal (a loin chop). 2 pl the part of the human back below the ribs. gird (up) one’s loins to prepare for action. | ||
| loin-cloth | a piece of cloth worn round the loins (loin-clothes are worn in hot countries, usually by poor people). | ||
| loiter | 1 to stand about idly (they were loitering near the bank, looking suspicious). 2 to go slowly, often stopping (don’t loiter—you’ll be late for school). | ||
| loll | 1 to sit back or lie lazily (they lolled in their armchairs while she washed the dishes). 2 (of the tongue) to hang out (thirsty dogs with their tongues lolling). | ||
| lollipop | a sweetmeat on a stick (children sucking red lollipops). | ||
| lone | alone, single, without others (a lone piper/a lone figure on the deserted beach). | ||
| lonely | sad because alone (lonely old people/lonely since her husband died). | ||
| lonesome | (informal) lonely (feel lonesome when the others are away). | ||
| long | 1 not short, in time or space (a long meeting a film two hours long). 3 (of drinks) containing little or no alcohol and served in a long glass. adv for a long time. vb to want very much (she longs to see her friend again). | ||
| longboat | the largest and strongest boat carried on board a ship. | ||
| longbow | a bow, drawn by hand, for firing arrows. draw the longbow to tell untrue and improbable stories. | ||
| longevity | very long life (a family noted for its longevity). | ||
| longheaded | wise, farseeing, shrewd. | ||
| longing | an eager desire (a longing to be free/a longing for freedom). | ||
| longish | (informal) quite long (a longish journey). | ||
| longitude | 1 length. 2 distance in degrees east or west of an imaginary line from pole to pole, running through Greenwich (London). | ||
| longitudinal | having to do with length or longitude. | ||
| longshoreman | one who lives or works on the coast or shore. | ||
| long-sighted | able to see distant objects more clearly than near ones (he is long-sighted and wears glasses for reading). | ||
| long-suffering | patient, ready to put up with troubles without complaint (their long-suffering mother tried to sort out all their problems). | ||
| long-winded | speaking or writing in an unnecessarily roundabout way (a long-winded lecturer who bored the whole audience/a piece of long-winded prose). | ||
| loofa(h) | 1 a marrow-like plant. 2 the fibrous framework of the plant stripped of the fleshy part and used in washing as a sponge (a loofah at the side of the bath). | ||
| look | 1 to turn the eyes toward so as to see (look at the picture it looks as if it will rain). 3 to face in a certain direction (a house looking south). n 1 act of looking (do have a look to see if they are coming). 2 a glance (have a look at the essay). 3 the appearance, especially of the face (the look of one who has seen a ghost). look after to take care of (look after the children while their mother is away). look a gift-horse in the mouth to say that one is not pleased with a present or to criticize it. look down on to despise (look down on people less well-off than she is herself). look for 1 to try to find (look for the lost book). 2 to hope for (look for mercy from the king). look on to watch (the other boys looked on while the bully hit the younger boy). look out 1 to be careful (look out in case you slip). 2 to watch out for (look out for my sister at the concert). 3 to search for and find, to choose (look out some books for the children to read). look over to examine. | ||
| looker-on | one who watches or spectates (the lookers-on should have stopped the boys fighting). | ||
| looking glass | a mirror (the fairy tale told of an enchanted looking glass). | ||
| lookout | 1 watchman. 2 a post from which one watches. 3 a careful watch (be on the lookout for thieves). | ||
| loom1 | a machine for weaving cloth. | ||
| loom2 | 1 to appear gradually and dimly, as in the dark; to seem larger than natural (shapes looming out of the mist). 2 to seem threateningly close (with exams looming). | ||
| loon | a northern diving bird. | ||
| loop | 1 a line that curves back and crosses itself (the road makes a loop). 2 a rope, cord, etc, that so curves (loops of ribbon). vb 1 to make a loop (loop the ribbon). 2 to fasten in a loop. | ||
| loophole | a way of escaping or avoiding something (a loophole in the contract that meant he could withdraw). | ||
| loose | 1 untied, not packed together in a box, etc (buy loose tomatoes loose the prisoners). | ||
| loose-leaf | describing a notebook which can hold pages with perforations which can be added or removed. | ||
| loosen | to make or become loose or less tight (loosen his belt after a heavy meal). | ||
| loot | that which is stolen or carried off by force (the police caught the burglar but failed to find his loot). | ||
| lop1 | (lopped , lopping ) to cut off (lop branches off the tree/lop a bit off the price). | ||
| lop2 | (lopped , lopping ) to hang loosely. | ||
| lop-sided | leaning to one side (she was lop-sided since she carried a heavy bag in one hand/a lop-sided account of the events). | ||
| lord | 1 a master. 2 a ruler. 3 a nobleman. 4 a title of honor given to noblemen and certain high officials (e g. judges). 5 an owner. n (cap) God. vb to rule strictly or harshly. | ||
| lordly | 1 proud, grand. 2 commanding. | ||
| lordship | 1 the state of being a lord. 2 the power of a lord. 3 the title by which one addresses noblemen, judges, etc. | ||
| lore | 1 (old) learning. 2 all that is known about a subject, usually that which is handed down by word of mouth (sea lore). | ||
| lorry | (British) a truck. | ||
| lose | (pt, pp lost ) 1 to cease to have (lose his eye in an accident). 2 to fail to keep in one’s possession (lose her gloves). 3 to be defeated in (lose the battle/lose the match). 4 to fail to use, to waste (lose no time in asking for a loan). 5 to miss (lose an opportunity). 6 (of a watch or clock) to work too slowly (my watch loses about five minutes a day). 7 to have less of (lose weight). lose one’s head to become too excited to act sensibly. | ||
| loser | one who loses (the loser of the tennis match congratulated the winner). | ||
| loss | 1 act of losing (the loss of his wife/the loss of her home). 2 that which is lost (she is a loss to the firm). 3 harm, damage (forced to pay for the losses). at a loss not knowing what to do (at a loss to know what to do). | ||
| lost | pt, pp of lose. | ||
| lot | 1 one of a set of objects, a separate part (one lot of clothes). 2 a set of objects sold together at an auction (bid for lot number 3). 3 the way of life that one has to follow (it was his lot in life to work hard and earn little). 4 a large number or quantity (a lot of people a parking lot). | ||
| lot | Collective noun for parking attendants (A lot of parking attendants) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| lot | Collective noun for realtors (A lot of realtors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| lot | Collective noun for salt (A lot of salt) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| loth | see loath. | ||
| lotion | a liquid for healing wounds, cleansing the skin, etc (apply a lotion to her sunburn). | ||
| lottery | a game of chance in which prizes are shared out among those whose tickets are picked out in a public draw (she had the winning numbers in the lottery). | ||
| lotus | a type of water-lily whose flower was once said to make those who ate it forget everything. | ||
| loud | 1 easily heard (a loud voice). 2 noisy (a loud party). 3 unpleasantly bright, showy (loud colors). | ||
| loudspeaker | a radio apparatus by which sound is transmitted and made louder when necessary (use a loudspeaker to get the competitors to leave the field). | ||
| lough | a lake, especially in Ireland. | ||
| lounge | 1 to stand about lazily, to move lazily, to spend time in an idle way (some workers lounging around while others were working hard). 3 to sit or lie back in a comfortable position (lounge in an armchair). n 1 a comfortably furnished sitting room (take her guests into the lounge). 2 a public room in a hotel (the residents’ lounge). n lounger | ||
| lounge | Collective noun for lizards (A lounge of lizards) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| lounge suit | a man’s suit of clothes for everyday wear (it’s not an occasion for evening wear—a lounge suit will do). | ||
| lour | see lower | ||
| louse | (pl lice ) a wingless bloodsucking insect. | ||
| lousy | 1 full of or covered with lice. 2 (informal) very bad, poor (lousy food/lousy weather). | ||
| lout | a rude and clumsy fellow (the lout who bumped into the old woman). | ||
| lovable | worthy of love (a lovable puppy). | ||
| love | 1 a strong liking for (a love of good food). 2 a feeling of desire for (full of love for his wife). 3 the person or thing loved (his first love). 4 (in some games) no score (the score was forty love). vb 1 to be fond of, to like (loving Mexican food). 2 to be strongly attracted to, to be in love with (he loved her and was heartbroken when she left). n lover | ||
| loveless | 1 with no love (a loveless marriage). 2 unloved (when her mother died the child felt completely loveless). | ||
| loveliness | Collective noun for ladybirds (A loveliness of ladybirds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| lovelorn | (old) sad because left by one’s lover. | ||
| lovely | 1 beautiful (a lovely girl). 2 (informal) very pleasing (a lovely day luv-lee-ness/. | ||
| loving | full of love, fond (a loving smile/a loving mother). | ||
| low1 | 1 to bellow, as an ox. 2 to moo like a cow (cattle lowing in the field). n lowing | ||
| low2 | 1 not far above the ground (the picture is too low). 2 not tall, not high (low buildings). 3 small in degree, amount, etc (low temperatures). 4 not high in rank or position (low positions in the firm). 5 cheap (low prices). 6 vulgar, coarse (low humor). 7 dishonorable (a low thing to do). 8 soft, not loud (a low voice). 9 sad, unhappy. low spirits a sad mood. | ||
| lower1 | 1 to make less high (lower the height of the ceiling). 2 to let or bring down (lower the flag). 3 to make of less value or worth (unfortunately the building of the motorway lowered the value of their property). | ||
| lower2 | 1 to frown (he lowered angrily when he was told that his team had lost). 2 to become dark (skies lowering). Also lour. | ||
| lowland | low-lying or level country. | ||
| lowlander | one born or living in lowlands. | ||
| lowly | 1 (fml or hum) humble, not high in rank (workers too lowly for the owner of the firm to speak to/a lowly clerk). 2 (old or lit) gentle in manner. | ||
| Loxodromy | study of sailing along rhumb-lines (see list of branches of science) | ||
| loyal | 1 faithful to one’s friends, duty, etc (loyal followers). 2 true (he remained loyal to the cause). n loyalty | ||
| loyalist | one who supports the lawful government of the country. | ||
| lozenge | 1 a diamond-shaped figure (a sweater with a lozenge design). 2 a small sweetmeat, or medicine in the form of a sweet (cough lozenges). | ||
| lubricant | oil or grease used to make machinery run smoothly (engine lubricant). | ||
| lubricate | to oil something to make it run smoothly (lubricating the parts of the machine). n lubrication , lubricator | ||
| lucid | clear, easily understood (a lucid explanation). n lucidity | ||
| lucifer | (old) a match. Lucifer 1 the morning star. 2 Satan. | ||
| luck | 1 the good or bad things that happen by chance, fate, fortune (only luck is involved, not skill a bit of good luck). 2 something good that happens by chance, good fortune (luck was with her). | ||
| luck | Collective noun for dice (A luck of dice) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| luckless | (formal) unfortunate (the luckless loser). | ||
| lucky | fortunate, having good luck (she is very lucky and is always winning things). | ||
| lucrative | bringing in much money or profit (a lucrative occupation). | ||
| ludicrous | funny, silly and laughable (she looks ludicrous in that hat/it was ludicrous to think he could win). | ||
| Ludology | study of games (see list of branches of science) | ||
| lug | (lugged , lugging ) to pull, draw or carry with difficulty (lug the trunk down from the attic/lug her bags to the station). | ||
| luggage | a traveler’s baggage (there was a very long queque of people waiting to check in their luggage at the airport). | ||
| Luiphobia | fear of lues or syphilis (see list of phobias) | ||
| lukewarm | 1 quite warm, neither hot nor cold (lukewarm water). 2 not eager (rather lukewarm about the idea). | ||
| lull | 1 to calm (lull her fears). 2 to send to sleep (the rocking of the cradle lulled the child to sleep). n an interval of calm. | ||
| lullaby | a song sung to a baby to make it sleep. | ||
| lumbago | muscular pain in the lower part of the back (have difficulty in bending because of lumbago). | ||
| lumbar | having to do with the lower part of the back (pain in the lumbar region). | ||
| lumber | 1 unused or useless articles (clear the lumber out of the attic). 2 wood of trees cut into timber. vb 1 to move heavily and clumsily (a bear was lumbering toward them). 2 to give someone an unpleasant or unwanted responsibility or task (she got lumbered with taking notes at the meeting). | ||
| lumberjack | someone whose job it is to cut down trees. | ||
| luminary | 1 (lit) a body that gives light (e.g. the sun). 2 (formal) a person well-known for his or her knowledge, expertise or talent (several luminaries from the world of the theatre were there). | ||
| luminous | shining, giving light (luminous paint/a luminous watch face). | ||
| lump | 1 a shapeless mass (a lump of dough). 2 a hard swelling (a lump on his head after being hit with an iron bar). vb 1 to put together as one, to consider together (he lumps all women together as inefficient). | ||
| lump | Collective noun for oncologists (A lump of oncologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| lump sum | a single large amount of money instead of several smaller payments (get a lump sum when he retired instead of monthly amounts). | ||
| lumpy | full of lumps (lumpy custard). | ||
| lunacy | madness (it was lunacy to walk alone in that district at night). | ||
| lunar | having to do with the moon. | ||
| lunatic | a mad person. adj mad, insane, very foolish (what a lunatic thing to do). | ||
| lunch | a midday meal (have sandwiches for lunch/have a working lunch). vb to take lunch (lunch on fresh salmon). | ||
| lung | one of the two bodily organs by means of which we breathe (have a collapsed lung). | ||
| lunge | a sudden move or thrust forward (make a lunge at her with a knife). vb to make a sudden onward movement (she lunged at him with a knife). | ||
| lupin | a kind of garden plant with a tall stem covered in many flowers. | ||
| lurch | to roll or sway to one side (drunks lurching down the road). n a sudden roll (the bus gave a sudden lurch). leave in the lurch to leave (someone) in difficulty (he left her in the lurch on her own with a baby). | ||
| lure | something that attracts or leads on (a lure to customers of free offers). vb to attract, to lead on, as by promise or gifts (try to lure him to join the firm by promises of a high salary). | ||
| lurid | 1 too brightly colored, too vivid (lurid sweaters). 2 horrifying, shocking (the lurid details of the accident/a lurid sight). | ||
| lurk | 1 to remain out of sight (photographers lurking behind trees to try to take shots of the filmstar). 2 to lie hidden, to exist unseen (danger might be lurking). | ||
| luscious | very sweet in taste (luscious peaches). | ||
| lush | 1 growing very plentifully, thick (lush vegetation). 2 (informal) affluent, luxurious (lush surroundings). | ||
| lust | a strong or uncontrollable desire, especially for sexual pleasure. vb to desire eagerly (older men lusting after young girls). adj lustful. | ||
| luster | 1 brightness (the luster of the polished surface). 2 glory (his brave actions brought luster to the family). 3 dress material with a shiny surface. | ||
| lusterless | dull (lusterless hair). | ||
| lustrous | bright, shining (lustrous eyes). | ||
| lusty | 1 strong and healthy, full of energy (lusty young men). 2 strong or loud (lusty singing). | ||
| lute | (old) a stringed musical instrument, rather like the guitar. | ||
| Lutraphobia | fear of otters (see list of phobias) | ||
| luxuriant | growing in great plenty (luxuriant vegetation/luxuriant hair). | ||
| luxuriate | to live in or enjoy great comfort (luxuriate in a hot, scented bath/luxuriating in the comfort of a high-class hotel). | ||
| luxurious | 1 fond of luxury. 2 splendid and affluent (a luxurious hotel/a luxurious lifestyle). | ||
| luxury | 1 great ease and comfort (wealthy people living in luxury). 2 a desirable or pleasing thing that is not a necessity of life (afford luxuries such as perfume). | ||
| Lycra™ | a stretchy, shiny synthetic fabric used for swimsuits, sportswear, etc. | ||
| Lygophobia | fear of darkness (see list of phobias) | ||
| lying | pres p of lie. Also adj. | ||
| lying | Collective noun for pardoners (A lying of pardoners) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| lymph | a colorless liquid in the body (the lymph glands). | ||
| lynch | to seize someone, judge him or her on the spot and put him or her to death without a proper trial (the mob lynched the child’s murderer before he could be tried). | ||
| lynx | an animal of the cat family noted for its keen eyesight. | ||
| lyre | (old) a U-shaped stringed musical instrument similar to a harp, played by the ancient Greeks. | ||
| lyre-bird | a bird with a tail shaped like a lyre. | ||
| lyric | 1 a short poem expressing the writer’s feelings. 2 pl the words of a song (the song has rather sad lyrics). | ||
| lyrical | 1 expressing feeling (lyrical verse). 2 enthusiastic, effusive (lyrical about the beauty of her new baby). | ||
| Lyssophobia | fear of rabies or of becoming mad (see list of phobias) | ||
M
| M, m | the thirteenth letter of the alphabet. | ||
| ma’am | short for madam. | ||
| macabre | horrible, causing a shudder of horror (a macabre murder). | ||
| macaroni | a type of pasta in the shape of small tubes (a dish of macaroni and cheese). | ||
| macaroon | a small cake containing powdered almonds or coconut. | ||
| macaw | a large type of parrot. | ||
| mace | 1 (old) a spiked club used as a weapon of war. 2 a heavy ornamental stick carried before certain officials as a sign of their office (the mayor’s mace). | ||
| machete | a large heavy knife sometimes used as a weapon. | ||
| machine | 1 any apparatus for producing power or doing work (a washing machine). 2 a system under which the work of different groups is directed to one end (the political party’s machine). | ||
| machine gun | a gun that fires many bullets in a short time before it has to be reloaded. | ||
| machinery | 1 machines (buy new machinery for the factory). 2 parts of a machine (something wrong with the machinery of the tumble dryer). 3 organization (the machinery of government). | ||
| machinist | a person who makes, looks after, or operates machinery (she was a machinist in a clothing factory). | ||
| mackerel | an edible sea fish (smoked mackerel). | ||
| Macrophobia | fear of long waits (see list of phobias) | ||
| mad | 1 insane (the murderer pretended to be mad). 2 out of your mind with anger, pain, etc (mad with grief). 3 (informal) very angry (she was mad at the naughty children). 4 (informal) very unwise, crazy (a mad plan). | ||
| madam | the title used in addressing a woman politely. | ||
| Madame | the French form of Mrs. | ||
| madcap | a wild or reckless person. adj reckless, very thoughtless (a madcap plan to make money quickly). | ||
| madden | to make mad (an animal maddened with pain). adj maddening | ||
| madly | very much (madly in love). | ||
| madman | a person who is mad (the killer must have been a madman). | ||
| madness | 1 insanity. 2 folly. | ||
| Madonna | 1 the Virgin Mary. 2 a picture or statue of the Virgin Mary. | ||
| magazine | 1 a store for firearms and explosives (the military magazine). 2 a weekly or monthly paper containing articles, stories, etc (women’s magazines). | ||
| Mageirocophobia | fear of cooking (see list of phobias) | ||
| magenta | a crimson dye. adj crimson. | ||
| maggot | the grub of certain insects, especially the fly or bluebottle (find maggots on the rotting meat). | ||
| Magi | 1 (old) priests of ancient Persia. 2 in Christianity, the wise men from the East who visited the infant Jesus. | ||
| magic | 1 the art of controlling spirits, and so gaining knowledge of the future or commanding certain things to happen; witchcraft (black magic). 2 the art of producing illusions by tricks or sleight of hand (the magic practiced by the stage magician). 3 fascination (the magic of the theater). adj, also magical 1 having to do with magic (a magic spell ma-ji-ca-lee/. | ||
| magician | 1 a person who has magic powers (the magician in the fairy story). 2 a person who practices the art of producing illusions by tricks or sleight of hand (a magician with his own television show). | ||
| magisterial | 1 having the manner of a person who is used to giving commands. 2 having to do with magistrates. | ||
| magistracy | the office of magistrate. | ||
| magistrate | a person who has the authority to try and sentence those who break the law; a judge (appear before the magistrate). | ||
| magnanimous | generous, especially to enemies or dependants; unselfish (it was magnanimous of him to forgive those who had attacked him). n magnanimity | ||
| magnate | a person of great wealth or importance (industrial magnates). | ||
| magnesia | a white powder made from magnesium, used as a medicine (take milk of magnesia for indigestion). | ||
| magnesium | a white metal that burns with a bright white light. | ||
| magnet | 1 a piece of iron that attracts to it other pieces of iron and that when hung up points to the north. 2 a person or thing that attracts (he told such interesting stories that he was a magnet for all the children). | ||
| magnetic | 1 acting like a magnet (magnetic forces). 2 attractive (a magnetic personality). | ||
| Magnetics | study of magnetism (see list of branches of science) | ||
| magnetism | 1 the power of the magnet. 2 the science that deals with the power of the magnet. 3 personal charm or attraction (by his sheer magnetism he always took charge of situations). | ||
| Magnetohydrodynamics | study of electrically conducting fluids (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Magnetostatics | study of magnetic fields in systems where the currents are steady (see list of branches of science) | ||
| magnification | 1 the act or power of magnifying. 2 an exaggeration (the magnification of her troubles). | ||
| magnificent | splendid, grand (a magnificent royal parade mag-ni-fi-sense/. | ||
| magnify | 1 to make appear larger, to exaggerate (her parents seemed to magnify the crime that she had committed). 2 to praise (magnify God). | ||
| magnifying glass | a glass with a curved surface that makes things appear larger. | ||
| magnitude | 1 greatness of size or extent (a star of great magnitude). 2 importance (the magnitude of the crime). | ||
| magnolia | a tree with beautiful foliage and large pale-colored flowers. | ||
| magnum | a two-quart bottle or container (a magnum of wine). | ||
| magpie | a black-and-white bird of the crow family (magpies are known for their habit of collecting bright things). | ||
| maharaja(h) | an Indian prince. | ||
| maharanee | an Indian princess. | ||
| mahatma | an Indian title of respect for a very holy person. | ||
| mahogany | a reddish-brown wood often used for furniture (old-fashioned wardrobes made of mahogany). | ||
| maid | 1 (old) a young girl. 2 a female servant (only very wealthy families have maids nowadays). 3 a woman who is employed to clean other people’s houses. 4 (old) a virgin. | ||
| maiden | (old) a young unmarried woman. | ||
| maiden name | the surname of a married woman before marriage (Mrs Kennedy’s maiden name is Jones). | ||
| maiden voyage | the first voyage of a new ship (the ship sank on its maiden voyage). | ||
| maidenly | modest, gentle. | ||
| Maieusiophobia | fear of childbirth (see list of phobias) | ||
| mail order | a system of buying goods from a catalog and having them delivered to your home. | ||
| mail1 | 1 the postal service (the check is in the mail). 2 letters, parcels, etc, sent by mail (some mail has gone astray). vb to send by mail (mailed the parcel). | ||
| mail2 | (old) armor (knights clad in mail). | ||
| maim | to disable (maimed for life in the accident). | ||
| main | chief, principal (his main source of income/the main branch of the store). n 1 the greater part. 2 (old) the ocean. 3 a pipe under the street for water, gas, etc. 4 strength (might and main). | ||
| mainframe | a large fast computer that serves a lot of terminals. | ||
| mainland | land, as distinct from nearby islands (the children on the island go to school on the mainland). | ||
| mainly | chiefly (they sell mainly magazines and candy). | ||
| mainstay | 1 the rope holding up the mast of a ship. 2 the chief support (the office manager is the mainstay of the firm). | ||
| mainstream | the prevailing way of thinking or of doing something (in the mainstream of contemporary music). | ||
| maintain | 1 to feed and clothe (difficulty in maintaining his family). 2 to keep up (maintain a good standard of living). 3 to keep in good repair (houses that are expensive to maintain). 4 to defend a point of view (maintain his innocence). | ||
| maintenance | upkeep, support (pay for the maintenance of his children). | ||
| maize | corn; a type of cereal plant with large yellow seeds eaten as a vegetable. | ||
| majestic | dignified, stately. | ||
| majesty | 1 grandeur, dignity (the majesty of the occasion). 2 the title given to a king or queen. | ||
| major | 1 the greater in number, size, or quantity (the major part of the audience). 2 the more important (the major medical discoveries). n an army officer just above a captain in rank. | ||
| majority | 1 the greater number (she is liked by the majority of the class). 2 in voting, the amount by which the number of votes cast for one candidate exceeds that cast for another (the government won by a majority of 20). 3 (formal) the age at which you have full civil rights (she has not yet achieved her majority). | ||
| make | (pt, pp made ) 1 to create (stories of how God made the earth). 2 to construct by putting parts or substances together (make a model airplane out of a kit). 3 to cause to be (the win made him famous). 4 to force (they made her go). 5 to add up to (two plus two makes four). 6 to earn (he makes $50,000 a year). n 1 the way something is made. 2 shape. make for to go toward (they made for the nearest town). make good to succeed, to do well (people from poor backgrounds who make good). make off to run away. make out 1 to decipher (unable to make out the faint writing). 2 (informal) to succeed. make up 1 to invent (a story) (she made up an excuse for not going to the party). 2 to put paint, powder, etc, on the face (she made up her face in the cloakroom). 3 to bring (a quarrel) to an end; to try to become friendly with (she wanted to make up but he was still angry). | ||
| make-believe | pretense (it was just make-believe that she was a princess). Also vb. | ||
| make-over | the process of trying to improve the appearance of a person or place. | ||
| maker | 1 a person who makes (a maker of model airplanes/a tool-maker). 2 (cap) God. | ||
| makeshift | used or done because nothing better can be found or thought of (after the plane crash they made a makeshift shelter on the desert island). | ||
| make-up | 1 mascara, lipstick, and other substances used to enhance the appearance of the face (a range of make-up in her bag). 2 your character (it was not in his make-up to be mean). | ||
| Malacology | study of molluscs (see list of branches of science) | ||
| malaria | a fever caused by a mosquito bite. | ||
| Malariology | study of malaria (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Malaxophobia | fear of love play (see list of phobias) | ||
| male | of or relating to the sex that can become a father (a male elephant). Also n. | ||
| malevolent | wishing harm to others, spiteful (give his rival a malevolent glance). n malevolence | ||
| malformed | out of shape, wrongly shaped (a malformed foot). n malformation | ||
| malfunction | to fail to work correctly (the machine is malfunctioning). | ||
| malice | pleasure in the misfortunes of others, spite, a desire to harm others (full of malice toward the person who beat him in the match). | ||
| malicious | spiteful, full of malice. | ||
| malign | to speak ill of (he maligned the person who had helped him). adj evil, harmful (a malign influence). | ||
| malignancy | 1 great hatred. 2 a desire to do harm. | ||
| malignant | 1 able to cause death (a malignant cancer). 2 very harmful (a malignant influence). 3 feeling great hatred (malignant feelings toward his rival). | ||
| mall | a large indoor shopping center. | ||
| mallard | a wild duck. | ||
| mallet | 1 a wooden hammer (fix the fence posts in place with a mallet). 2 the stick used in croquet. | ||
| malnutrition | a state caused by eating too little food or food that does not supply the needs of the body (children suffering from malnutrition). | ||
| malt | barley or other grain prepared for making beer or whiskey. vb to make into or become malt. adj malty | ||
| malted milk | milk flavored with malt, sometimes mixed with ice cream. | ||
| maltreat | to treat badly, to ill-use (accused of maltreating his dog). n maltreatment | ||
| mam(m)a | (informal) mother. | ||
| mammal | an animal that suckles its young. | ||
| Mammalogy | study of mammals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| mammoth | a type of large elephant, no longer existing. adj huge (a mammoth shopping mall). | ||
| man | (pl men ) 1 the human race (man has destroyed much of the environment). 2 a human being (all men must die). 3 a male human being (men, women, and children). 4 (informal) a husband. 5 a male servant (his man packed his suitcase). vb (manned , manning ) to provide with people to go to, or to be in, the place where a duty is to be performed (man the lifeboats). | ||
| manage | 1 to control, to be in charge of (managing the firm). 2 to succeed (in doing something) (she managed to get there on time). | ||
| manageable | easily controlled (manageable children/manageable hair). | ||
| management | 1 control, direction (under the management of an experienced businessman). 2 the group of persons who control or run a business (management in dispute with the labor unions). | ||
| manager | a person who controls a business or part of it (the manager of the accounts department). | ||
| managerial | having to do with the management of a business (a managerial post). | ||
| mandarin | a variety of small orange. | ||
| Mandarin | the chief dialect of the Chinese language. | ||
| mandate | 1 a command (by mandate of the queen). 2 power given to one person, group, or nation to act on behalf of another (e.g. by voters to the governing party) (they claim they had a mandate to increase taxes). | ||
| mandatory | compulsory (attendance is mandatory). | ||
| mandible | the lower jawbone. | ||
| mandolin(e) | a musical stringed instrument, like the guitar but with a rounded back. | ||
| mane | the long hair on the neck of certain animals (the lion’s mane). | ||
| maneuver | also manoeuvre (British spelling) 1 a planned movement of armies or ships. 2 a skillful or cunning plan intended to make another behave as you want him or her to (a maneuver to get rid of his boss, and get his job). 3 npl practice movements of armies or ships (troops on maneuvers). vb 1 to move armies or ships. 2 to move or act cunningly to gain your ends (she maneuvered him out of his job to get promotion). | ||
| manful | brave (a manful attempt). adv manfully | ||
| manganese | a hard, easily broken gray metal. | ||
| mange | a skin disease of dogs, etc (we had to take both dogs to the vet as they had developed mange). | ||
| manger | a raised box or trough out of which horses or cattle feed (the Bible tells us that the baby Jesus lay in a manger). | ||
| mangle | to cut or tear so as to be unrecognizable (their bodies were badly mangled in the accident). | ||
| mango | 1 an Indian fruit with a large stone (have fresh mango for dessert). 2 the tree on which it grows. | ||
| mangrove | a tropical tree growing in wet or muddy ground. | ||
| mangy | 1 affected with mange. 2 shabby or dirty. | ||
| manhandle | 1 to move by hand (manhandling the huge wardrobe up the stairs). 2 to treat roughly (he complained that the police manhandled him). | ||
| manhole | a hole in the ground or floor through which a person may enter an underground shaft or tunnel (get down to the sewer through a manhole). | ||
| manhood | the state of being a man or of having the qualities of a man (till he reaches manhood). | ||
| mania | 1 madness (suffering from mania). 2 a very great interest (in), an obsession (he has a mania for fast cars). | ||
| maniac | a madman (killed by a maniac). | ||
| maniacal | completely mad (a maniacal attack). | ||
| Maniaphobia | fear of insanity (see list of phobias) | ||
| manicure | the care of the hands and fingernails (have a manicure). Also vb. | ||
| manicurist | a person whose job it is to care for hands and fingernails (train as a manicurist). | ||
| manifest | (formal) easily seen or understood, obvious (her lack of interest was manifest). vb to show clearly (she manifested very little enthusiasm). | ||
| manifestation | an open showing, a display (a manifestation of his love for her). | ||
| manifestly | clearly, obviously (she was manifestly sick). | ||
| manifesto | a public announcement of future plans (the political party published its manifesto). | ||
| manil(l)a | 1 a material used for making ropes. 2 a type of thick strong brown paper (manila envelopes). | ||
| manipulate | 1 to handle skillfully (manipulating the bones back into position). 2 to manage skillfully (often in a dishonest way) (a barrister accused of trying to manipulate the jury). n manipulation | ||
| mankind | the human race. | ||
| manly | having the qualities of a man (manly behavior). | ||
| mannequin | 1 a dummy used to display clothes in a clothes shop (a mannequin in the shop window). 2 another word for a fashion model (mannequins at the fashion show). | ||
| manner | 1 the way in which anything is done or happens (the manner of his dying). 2 the way a person speaks or behaves to others (he has an open, frank manner). 3 manners courteous behavior. | ||
| mannerism | a way of behaving, writing, etc, that has become a habit (constantly flicking back his hair is one of his mannerisms). | ||
| mannish | like a man. | ||
| manoeuvre | see maneuver. | ||
| manor | the land or house belonging to a lord. adj manorial | ||
| mansion | a large dwelling house. | ||
| manslaughter | the unlawful but unintentional killing of a person (found guilty of manslaughter rather than murder). | ||
| mantelpiece , mantel | 1 an ornamental surround built on either side of and above a fireplace. 2 the shelf above a fireplace (ornaments on the mantelpiece). | ||
| mantilla | a lace veil used as a head covering (a Spanish lady wearing a mantilla). | ||
| mantle | 1 (old) a loose sleeveless cloak (a velvet mantle over her evening dress). 2 a coating or covering (a mantle of snow). | ||
| manual | done by hand (manual tasks). n 1 a small book containing all the important facts on a certain subject (a manual for the washing machine). 2 one of the keyboards of an organ. adv manually | ||
| manufacture | 1 the making of goods or materials (the manufacture of computers). 2 an article so made (importing many foreign manufactures). vb to make, especially by machinery, in large quantities (manufacturing cars). n manufacturer | ||
| manure | dung or some other substance used to make soil more fertile (farmers spreading manure on their fields). vb to treat with manure. | ||
| manuscript | 1 a paper or book written by hand (he looked at many manuscripts in his research). 2 the written material sent by an author for publishing. | ||
| many | great in number (many people). n a large number (many of my friends). | ||
| Maori | one of the original inhabitants of New Zealand and their descendants. Also adj. | ||
| map | a plan of any part of the earth’s surface (a map of France). vb (mapped , mapping ) to make a map of. map out to plan (map out their campaign). | ||
| maple | 1 any tree of the Acer genus. 2 the hard wood of these trees. maple syrup a sweet syrup made from the sap of the sugar maple (pancakes with maple syrup). | ||
| mar | (marred , marring ) to spoil, to damage (something marred the performance). | ||
| marathon | 1 a long race of about 26 miles along roads. 2 something that takes a long time and requires a great deal of effort. | ||
| marauder | (formal) a robber (marauders raiding the border area). adj marauding | ||
| marble | 1 a type of hard stone used for buildings, statues, etc (a mantelpiece made of marble). 2 a small ball of stone or glass used in children’s games. | ||
| march | to walk with a regular step (soldiers marching). n 1 movement of a body of soldiers on foot. 2 the distance walked (a march of 15 miles). 3 music suitable for marching to (the band played a stirring march). n marcher | ||
| March | the third month of the year (the cold winds of March). | ||
| march | Collective noun for museums (A march of museums) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mare | a female horse. | ||
| margarine | a substance made from vegetable or animal fat, often used instead of butter (spread margarine on bread). | ||
| margin | 1 (formal) edge, border (the margin of the lake). 2 the part of a page that is not usually printed or written on (comments in the margin). 3 an amount more than is necessary, something extra (leave a margin for error in the estimated calculations). | ||
| marginal | 1 on or near the edge, border, or limit. 2 very small or unimportant (a marginal improvement). adv marginally | ||
| marigold | a bright yellow or orange flower. | ||
| marina | a harbor for the use of yachts and small boats. | ||
| marine | 1 having to do with the sea (marine animals). 2 having to do with shipping (marine insurance). n 1 shipping. 2 a soldier serving on board ship. | ||
| Marine biology | study of the ocean's ecosystem (see list of branches of science) | ||
| mariner | (formal) a seaman. | ||
| Mariology | study of the Virgin Mary (see list of branches of science) | ||
| marionette | a doll that can be moved by strings; a puppet. | ||
| marital | (formal) having to do with marriage (she did not like to discuss her marital problems with anyone). | ||
| maritime | of or near the sea (maritime areas). | ||
| marjoram | a sweet-smelling herb used in cooking (add marjoram to the sauce). | ||
| mark1 | 1 a sign, spot, or stamp that can be seen (a cat with a white mark on its chest). 2 a thing aimed at (the arrow was wide of the mark). 3 a number or letter indicating the standard reached (her essay got a mark of 60%). 4 an acceptable level of quality (work that is not up to the mark). 5 a stain or dent (there were sooty marks on his white shirt). 6 an indication, a sign (give flowers as a mark of respect). vb 1 to make a mark on (a tablecloth marked with fruit stains). 2 to indicate by a mark the standard reached (the teacher marked their essays very strictly). 3 (old) to watch closely, to pay attention to (mark my words). 4 to show the position of (a cross marks the spot where he died). 5 to be a sign of (mark the beginning of change). beside the mark (formal) off the subject (a guess that was beside the mark). mark time 1 to move the legs up and down as if walking, but without going backward or forward. 2 to fill in time (mark time while he’s waiting to go to college). | ||
| mark2 | a former German currency (Germany now uses the euro instead of the mark). | ||
| marked | noticeable, important (a marked change). | ||
| markedly | noticeably (he is markedly healthier). | ||
| marker | 1 a person who keeps the score. 2 a person or thing used to mark a place (buoys as markers for the yacht race). | ||
| market | 1 a public place for buying and selling, a coming together of people to buy and sell (buy fruit at a street market). 2 a demand or need (a market for lightweight cotton clothing). vb to sell in a market (they market their books all over the world). | ||
| market research | the collection and study of data on which products or services people want. | ||
| marketable | that can be sold (products that are no longer easily marketable). | ||
| marketing | the promoting and selling of a product. | ||
| marketplace | the open space where a market is held (a wide range of stalls in the marketplace). | ||
| marksman | a person who shoots well (a police marksman). | ||
| marmalade | a jam made from oranges or lemons (marmalade on toast). | ||
| marmoset | a type of small monkey. | ||
| marmot | a small squirrel-like animal. | ||
| maroon1 | a brownish-crimson color. adj of this color (a book with a maroon cover). | ||
| maroon2 | to abandon (marooned on a desert island). | ||
| marquee | a large tent (a large marquee on the lawn for a wedding). | ||
| marquetry | work in which a design is made by setting differently colored pieces of wood into another piece of wood. | ||
| marriage | 1 the ceremony of marrying or being married (there were 60 guests at their marriage). 2 life together as husband and wife (their marriage is over). | ||
| marrow | a soft fatty substance filling the hollow parts of bones. | ||
| marry | 1 to join together as husband and wife (married by the local minister). 2 to take as husband or wife (he is marrying his sister’s friend). | ||
| Mars | 1 the fourth planet from the sun. 2 the Roman god of war. | ||
| marsh | low watery ground, a swamp (have difficulty walking over the marsh). adj marshy | ||
| marshal | 1 an officer of high rank in the army or air force. 2 a law-enforcement officer. 3 an official who makes arrangements for public processions, etc. vb to arrange in order (marshal your facts). | ||
| marshmallow | a type of soft sweet confection (toasted marshmallows). | ||
| marsupial | an animal that carries its young in a pouch (kangaroos are marsupials). | ||
| marten | a type of weasel valued for its fur. | ||
| martial | 1 (formal) warlike (a martial nation). 2 having to do with war (martial arts/martial music). | ||
| martin | a bird of the swallow family. | ||
| martyr | 1 a person who suffers death for his or her beliefs (Christian martyrs). 2 a person who suffers continuously from a certain illness (a martyr to asthma). vb to put someone to death for refusing to give up his or her faith (she was martyred for her faith). n martyrdom | ||
| marvel | a wonder. vb to wonder (at), to feel astonishment (marvel at the parachutists’ jumping). | ||
| marvelous (British: marvellous) | wonderful, astonishing, extraordinary (a marvelous new discovery). 2 (informal) very good, excellent (a marvelous vacation). | ||
| marzipan | a firm paste made from ground almonds, sugar, etc (put marzipan on the cake before the frosting). | ||
| mascara | a substance used for darkening eyelashes (brush mascara on her lashes). | ||
| mascot | a person, animal, or thing supposed to bring good luck (a silver horseshoe as a mascot). | ||
| masculine | 1 of the male sex (masculine characteristics). 2 manly (women who like masculine men). 3 like a man (a woman with a masculine walk). | ||
| mash | to crush food until it is soft (mash potatoes/mash bananas). n a mixture of crushed grain, etc, given to animals as food (prepare a mash for the pigs). | ||
| mask | 1 a cover for the face or part of the face (surgeons wearing masks to prevent the spread of infection). 2 an animal or human face painted on paper, etc, and worn at parties or processions (wear a cat’s mask to the Halloween party). 3 any means of concealing what is really going on (her smile was a mask for her grief). 4 (usually called masque) a poetical play. vb 1 to cover with a mask. 2 to hide (try to mask her amusement). | ||
| Masklophobia | fear of people in masks, costumes and mascots (see list of phobias) | ||
| mason | 1 a person who is skilled in shaping stone or in building (a mason making large gravestones). 2 a Freemason. adj masonic | ||
| masonry | 1 stonework (the masonry of the statue is crumbling). 2 the skill or work of a mason. 3 Freemasonry. | ||
| masquerade | a ball at which masks are worn. vb 1 to go in disguise. 2 to pretend to be another (a criminal masquerading as a social worker). | ||
| mass | 1 a lump or quantity of matter (a land mass). 2 (formal) the quantity of matter in a body (the mass of the rock). 3 (often pl) a crowd (there were masses of people at the protest). 4 the larger part (the mass of the people are in favor). vb 1 to gather into a mass. 2 to form a crowd. | ||
| Mass | in the Roman Catholic Church, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. | ||
| mass | Collective noun for Catholics (A mass of Catholics) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mass | Collective noun for oncologists (A mass of oncologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mass | Collective noun for priests (A mass of priests) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| massacre | the killing of large numbers of men, women, and children. vb to kill in large numbers (the invading army massacred the townspeople). | ||
| massage | rubbing and pressing the muscles to strengthen them or make them less stiff (athletes having a massage after the race). Also vb. | ||
| masseur | a man who gives massages. | ||
| masseuse | a woman who gives massages. | ||
| massive | huge, big and heavy (a massive rock/a massive rise in unemployment). | ||
| mast | on a ship, an upright pole on which sails may be set (attach a flag to the mast). | ||
| master | 1 a person who is in charge or gives orders (the dog’s master). 2 a male teacher (the French master). 3 an expert (a master of the art of conversation). vb 1 to gain complete knowledge of (master the art of public speaking). 2 to overcome (master her shyness). | ||
| masterful | commanding, used to giving orders (a masterful personality). | ||
| masterly | showing great skill (a masterly performance). | ||
| mastermind | 1 a very intelligent person. 2 a person who plans and organizes a complex scheme, especially a crime. vb to plan and organize a complex scheme. | ||
| masterpiece | the best piece of work done by an artist (regarded as Van Gogh’s masterpiece). | ||
| mastery | 1 control, command (gain mastery over the enemy). 2 thorough knowledge (his mastery of foreign languages). | ||
| masticate | (formal) to chew (masticating food before swallowing). n mastication | ||
| mastiff | a large powerful dog. | ||
| Mastigophobia | fear of punishment (see list of phobias) | ||
| Mastology | study of mammals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| mat | 1 a small piece of coarse cloth or plaited fiber used as a floor covering or foot-wiper (a mat at the front door). 2 a piece of cloth or other material placed under a plate or dish (table mats). adj matt. vb (matted , matting ) to twist together, to entangle (matted hair). | ||
| matador | in Spain, the man who fights the bull in a bullfight. | ||
| match1 | a small stick tipped with a substance that catches fire when rubbed on certain prepared surfaces (light the fire with a match). | ||
| match2 | 1 a person or thing the same or nearly the same as another (find a match for the wool). 2 an equal (she was his match in any argument). 3 a sporting contest or game (a football match). 4 a marriage (a love match). vb 1 to be equal to (the restaurant does not match our local one for home cooking). 2 to be like or to go well with something else (the dress matches her eyes). | ||
| matchbox | a box for holding matches. | ||
| matchmaker | a person who tries to arrange a marriage between others (try to act as matchmakers by asking her female friend and his male friend to dinner). | ||
| mate | 1 a companion, a colleague (schoolmates). 2 (inf or hum) a husband or wife (she is looking for a mate). 3 a ship’s officer below the captain in rank. 4 a workman’s assistant (a plumber’s mate). 5 an animal with which another is paired for producing offspring (looking for a suitable mate for her pedigree dog). vb to come together for breeding (animals mating). | ||
| material | 1 made of matter. 2 worldly, not spiritual (a material person/material interests). 3 (formal) important (it is not material how he feels about it). n 1 the substance out of which a thing is made (use only good-quality materials in his buildings). 2 cloth (coats of a warm material). | ||
| materialism | 1 the belief that nothing exists but matter. 2 the state of being interested only in worldly things such as wealth (her materialism led her to marry for money not love). | ||
| materialist | 1 a person who believes in materialism. 2 a person who is concerned more with wealth and comfort than with ideas (a materialist who has no interest in music or poetry). adj materialistic | ||
| materialize, materialise | 1 to become real, to happen (her dreams of happiness never materialized). 2 to appear (a figure of a man materialized out of the mist). | ||
| materially | to a large extent, considerably (circumstances have changed materially). | ||
| maternal | of or like a mother (no maternal feelings). | ||
| maternity | motherhood. | ||
| math | (informal) mathematics. | ||
| mathematical | having to do with mathematics (a mathematical problem). | ||
| Mathematics | study of magnitude, number, and forms (see list of branches of science) | ||
| mathematics | the science of space and number. n mathematician | ||
| matinee | an afternoon performance in a theater (the children went to the Saturday matinee). | ||
| matriculate | to enroll or be accepted as a student in a university or college. n matriculation | ||
| matrimony | (formal) the state of marriage (joined in holy matrimony). adj matrimonial | ||
| matrix | (pl matrices ) 1 in mathematics, the arrangement of a set of quantities in rows and columns. 2 a mold in which hot molten metal is shaped. | ||
| matron | 1 (old) an older married woman. 2 a woman in a school in charge of medical care, etc (matron bandaged the child’s grazed knee). | ||
| matronly | (of a woman) 1 middle-aged and rather plump (a matronly figure). 2 dignified, serious. | ||
| matt(e) | dull, without gloss or shine (matt paint). | ||
| matter | 1 that out of which all things are made (the different kinds of matter of the universe). 2 a subject of conversation or writings. 3 affair (a family matter/a matter of great importance). 4 the infected liquid contained in a wound or sore (matter oozing from a boil). vb to be of importance (it doesn’t matter if you can’t be there). | ||
| matter-of-fact | without imagination or exaggeration, containing or concerning facts only (a matter-of-fact description). | ||
| matting | material used as mats (coconut matting). | ||
| mattress | a flat bag filled with soft material and sometimes light springs, placed under a sleeper for comfort (prefer a firm mattress). | ||
| mature | 1 ripe (mature fruit). 2 fully grown (mature turkeys). 3 fully developed in body or mind (employers looking for mature people). vb 1 to ripen (fruit maturing early). 2 to become mature (young people beginning to mature). 3 to be due in full (an insurance policy that matures next year). | ||
| maturity | 1 ripeness. 2 full growth or development. | ||
| maul | 1 to injure badly (mauled by a lion). 2 to handle roughly (accuse her boss of mauling her). | ||
| mausoleum | a magnificent tomb (mausoleums of ancient kings). | ||
| mauve | a purple dye or color. adj light purple (mauve eye shadow). | ||
| maxim | a wise saying, a rule for behavior (“Do as you would be done by” is a maxim). | ||
| maximize | also maximise (British spelling) to make as large or as important as possible (maximize the window to fill the screen). | ||
| maximum | the greatest possible number or amount (the maximum that we can afford). Also adj. | ||
| may | (pt might ) used to express possibility or permission (I may go to the mall later). | ||
| may | hawthorn blossom. | ||
| May | the fifth month of the year (the flowers of May). | ||
| maybe | perhaps (maybe he’ll come and maybe he won’t). | ||
| Mayday | the first day of May. | ||
| mayonnaise | a salad dressing of eggs, oil, etc. | ||
| mayor | the chief magistrate of a city or borough. | ||
| maze | 1 a confusing system of paths or passages through which it is difficult to find your way (get lost in the maze at the stately home). 2 a confusing network of streets, etc (lost in a maze of side streets). | ||
| maze | Collective noun for canyons (A maze of canyons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Mazology | study of mammals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| me | the form of “I” used when it is the object of a sentence (I know you but you don’t know me). | ||
| meadow | rich grassland (cows grazing in the meadows). | ||
| meager (British: meagre) | scanty, not enough (a meager amount of food/a meager diet). | ||
| meal1 | food taken at one time (evening meal). | ||
| meal2 | grain ground to powder. | ||
| mean1 | 1 nasty, unkind over small things (mean to her younger sister). 2 unwilling to spend or give away (too mean to give presents). 3 (old or lit) poor (a mean dwelling). 4 (old or lit) of low birth or behavior (of mean birth). n meanness | ||
| mean2 | (pt, pp meant ) 1 to intend (we did not mean to hurt her). 2 to have a certain purpose (this carpet was meant for the sitting room). 3 to express a certain idea (she did not know what the word meant). | ||
| mean3 | 1 middle (the mean point). 2 halfway between numbers, amounts, extremes, etc, average (the mean annual rainfall). n 1 the average (the mean of the quantities). 2 a middle state (finding the mean between being too harsh and being too kind). 3 (pl) see means | ||
| meander | to follow a winding course, as a river over very flat land (paths that meander over the hills). | ||
| meaning | 1 the idea expressed by a word or words (a word with several meanings). 2 the sense in which something is intended to be understood (the meaning of his action mee-ning-ful mee-ning-less/. | ||
| meaning | Collective noun for dictionaries (A meaning of dictionaries) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| means | 1 that by which something is done or carried out (means of transport). 2 money or property (a man of means). | ||
| meantime | the time between two events (in the meantime). adv meanwhile. | ||
| meanwhile | the time between two events; meantime. adv 1 in or during the intervening time. 2 at the same time (he will be late—meanwhile you will have to wait). | ||
| measles | an infectious disease with a red rash (catch measles from a friend). | ||
| measly | worthless, mean (a measly sum of money). | ||
| measure | 1 a unit used to express size, weight, etc (a liter is a measure of capacity). 2 the size, weight, etc, so expressed (a room of small measure). 3 an instrument used in finding size, weight, etc (a tape measure). 4 a course of action (emergency measures). 5 a law proposed but not passed (new taxation measure). vb 1 to find out size, quantity, etc, with an instrument (measuring the window for new drapes). 2 to judge (measure his skill as a pianist). 3 to weigh out (measure out a pound of sugar). n measurement | ||
| measured | (formal) steady, regular (a measured pace). | ||
| meat | the flesh of animals used as food (vegetarians eat no meat). | ||
| meaty | 1 full of meat (meaty pies). 2 full of information (a meaty lecture). | ||
| mechanic | a person who looks after a machine (a car mechanic). | ||
| mechanical | 1 done or worked by machine (mechanical toy cars). 2 having to do with machinery (mechanical engineering). 3 done by habit, done without awareness (a mechanical task). adv mechanically | ||
| Mechanics | study of action of force on bodies (see list of branches of science) | ||
| mechanics | the science of motion and force. | ||
| mechanism | the machinery that makes something work (something wrong with the mechanism of the washing machine). | ||
| Mechanophobia | fear of machines (see list of phobias) | ||
| Meconology | study of or treatise concerning opium (see list of branches of science) | ||
| medal | a flat piece of metal with a picture or writing stamped on it, made in memory of some person or event or as a reward of merit (soldiers given medals for bravery). | ||
| medalist | the winner of a medal (medalists in the singing competition). | ||
| medallion | a large medal. | ||
| meddle | to interfere (object to her meddling in our private affairs). n meddler | ||
| meddlesome | given to interfering (meddlesome neighbors). | ||
| media | see medium. | ||
| Media studies | study of mass media (see list of branches of science) | ||
| medial , median | (formal) in the middle (the medial point). | ||
| mediate | to try to settle a dispute between others (mediating between workers and employers). n mediator | ||
| mediation | an attempt to settle a dispute between others. | ||
| medical | 1 having to do with medicine (medical, rather than surgical, treatment). 2 having to do with the work of a doctor, medicine, or healing (medical care me-di-ca-lee/. | ||
| medicate | (formal) 1 to give medicine to. 2 to soak in medicine (medicated shampoo). | ||
| medication | (formal) medicine, treatment by medicine (on medication for a heart condition). | ||
| Medicine | study of diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of disease (see list of branches of science) | ||
| medicine | 1 the science of bringing the sick back to health (study medicine). 2 any substance that cures or heals (cough medicine). 3 the science of curing or treating by means other than surgery. adj medicinal adv medicinally | ||
| medieval (British: mediaeval) | having to do with the Middle Ages (medieval knights). | ||
| mediocre | not very good, ordinary (a mediocre performance). n mediocrity | ||
| meditate | 1 to think deeply about (meditating on possible solutions to his problems). 2 to spend short regular periods in deep, especially religious, thought (he meditates every day). | ||
| meditation | deep thought. | ||
| meditative | (formal) thoughtful (in a meditative mood). | ||
| medium | 1 the means by which something is done (expressing his feelings through the medium of paint). 2 (especially in pl media ) a means by which news is made known (the medium of newspapers a story put out by the media). 3 (pl mediums ) a person who is able to receive messages from spirits at a meeting held for that purpose. adj middle or average in size, quality, etc (a medium jar of coffee). | ||
| medley | 1 a mixture (a medley of colors). 2 a selection of tunes played as one item (the band played a medley from the 1960s). | ||
| Medomalacuphobia | fear of losing an erection (see list of phobias) | ||
| Medorthophobia | fear of an erect penis (see list of phobias) | ||
| meek | gentle, kind, unresisting (too meek to insist on her rights). adv meekly | ||
| meet | (pt, pp met ) 1 to come face to face with, often by chance (I met my neighbor in the mall). 2 to come together by arrangement (we meet for lunch once a week). 3 to pay (unable to meet his debts). 4 to satisfy (meet their requirements/meet their demands). 5 to answer (meet force with force). n a coming together of huntsmen on horseback with hounds for a hunt. | ||
| meeting | a coming together for a special purpose (a committee meeting/a meeting of parents and teachers). | ||
| meeting | Collective noun for Quakers (A meeting of Quakers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| megabyte | in computing, a unit of storage capacity equal to approximately 1,000,000 bytes. | ||
| megabyte | Collective noun for computer programmers (A megabyte of computer programmers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Megalophobia | fear of large things (see list of phobias) | ||
| megaphone | a large speaking-trumpet for making the voice louder (the policeman used a megaphone to ask the crowd to move back). | ||
| melancholy | sadness, depression (a tendency to melancholy on dark winter days). Also adj. | ||
| Melanophobia | fear of the color black (see list of phobias) | ||
| melee | Collective noun for rioters (A melee of rioters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Melissopalynology | study of honey (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Melissophobia | fear of bees (see list of phobias) | ||
| Melittology | study of bees (see list of branches of science) | ||
| mellow | 1 soft with ripeness. 2 made kindly by age. vb to make or become mellow. n mellowness | ||
| melodic | relating to melody (simple melodic style). | ||
| melodious | sweet-sounding (melodious pieces of music). | ||
| melodrama | a thrilling or sensational play, usually with an improbable plot (Victorian melodramas). | ||
| melodramatic | more like a play than real life, theatrical, exaggerated (her melodramatic reaction to the news). | ||
| melody | 1 a tune (old-fashioned melodies). 2 the principal part in a piece of harmonized music. | ||
| melody | Collective noun for harpists (A melody of harpists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Melology | study of music; musicology (see list of branches of science) | ||
| melon | a large juicy fruit that grows on the ground (have a slice of melon as the first course of the meal). | ||
| Melophobia | fear or hatred of music (see list of phobias) | ||
| melt | 1 to make or become liquid by heat, to soften, to dissolve (melt the butter). 2 to disappear (the crowd melted away). 3 to make or become gentler (his heart melted at the sight of the children). | ||
| member | 1 one of a society or group (become a member of the chess club). 2 (fml or old) a limb of the body. | ||
| membership | 1 the state of being a member (renew his membership of the chess club). 2 all the members of a society (the membership voted against the idea). | ||
| membrane | a thin layer of skin covering or connecting parts inside the body (the eyeballs are covered by a thin membrane). | ||
| memento | an object kept or given to remind you of a person or event (gave him a painting of the house as a memento of his holiday). | ||
| memo | see memorandum. | ||
| memoir | 1 a written account of past events. 2 npl the story of a person’s life (the memoirs of a famous political leader). | ||
| memorable | worth remembering (a memorable occasion mem-ra-blee/. | ||
| memorandum | (pl memoranda ) (often abbreviated to memo) a written note of something you want to remember (a memorandum about staffing levels sent to all heads of department). | ||
| memorial | an object, often a monument, that helps people to remember a person or event (a memorial to the soldiers who died in the war). | ||
| memorize | also memorise (British spelling) to learn by heart (memorizing the telephone number). | ||
| memory | 1 the power of the mind to recall past events or to learn things by heart (have a poor memory). 2 the mind’s store of remembered things (a memory full of useful facts). 3 something remembered (childhood memories). 4 the part of a computer that stores information. | ||
| men | pl of man. | ||
| menace | 1 a threat, a person or thing likely to cause harm or danger (regard him as a menace to their security). 2 a threat, a show of hostility (demand money with menaces/ a look full of menace). vb (formal) to threaten (a country menaced by talk of war). | ||
| menacing | 1 threatening to harm (menacing letters/a menacing look). 2 threatening-looking (a menacing sky). | ||
| ménage | Collective noun for mongrels (A ménage of mongrels) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| menagerie | a collection of wild animals for public show. | ||
| mend | 1 to repair (mend the broken chair). 2 to improve (told to mend his ways). 3 (informal) to become well or healthy again (his broken leg has mended nicely). n the hole or crack that has been mended (see the mend in the shirt). | ||
| menial | humble, unskilled (have to do all the menial tasks in the hotel). | ||
| meningitis | a serious disease affecting the membrane around the brain. | ||
| Meningitophobia | fear of brain disease (see list of phobias) | ||
| Menophobia | fear of menstruation (see list of phobias) | ||
| menstrual cycle | a series of changes that place in a woman’s body, roughly over a 28-day period, which prepare her body for possible pregnancy. | ||
| menstruation | also called a period; a monthly discharge of blood from a woman’s womb at the end of the normal menstrual cycle if pregnancy does not take place. vb menstruate adj menstruating | ||
| mental | 1 having to do with the mind (mental illness). 2 done in the mind without anything being written (mental arithmetic). adv mentally | ||
| mentality | 1 mental power (a person of low mentality). 2 the way of thinking typical of a person, the character of a person’s mind (I cannot understand the mentality of someone who would attack an old woman). | ||
| menthol | a substance made from mint and used as a medicine (cough drops containing menthol). | ||
| mention | 1 to speak of, to refer to, to say the name of (mentioned various people who had helped him). 2 to say briefly or indirectly (she mentioned that she was thinking of leaving). n a remark about or reference to. | ||
| mentor | (formal) a wise adviser (his university lecturer was the young writer’s mentor). | ||
| menu | 1 a list of foods that can be ordered for a meal in a restaurant (the menu was written in French). 2 a list of options on a computer display. | ||
| meow | see mew. | ||
| mercenary | 1 working for money (foreign mercenary soldiers). 2 doing things only to obtain money, greedy for money (he’s too mercenary to help anyone free of charge). n a soldier hired to fight for a country not his or her own. | ||
| merchandise | goods bought and sold (poor-quality merchandise). | ||
| merchant | a person who buys and sells goods in large quantities (a wine merchant). | ||
| merciful | showing mercy, forgiving (a merciful judge mer-si-fu-lee/. | ||
| merciless | pitiless (a merciless tyrant). adv mercilessly | ||
| mercurial | quickly changing mood (a mercurial personality). | ||
| mercury | a liquid silvery-white metal used in thermometers. | ||
| Mercury | the closest planet to the sun. | ||
| mercy | kindness and pity, forgiveness, willingness not to punish (treat the wrongdoers with mercy because of their youth). | ||
| mere | no more or less than (a mere child earns a mere $5 per hour). | ||
| merely | only (she’s merely a child). | ||
| Mereology | study of part-whole relationships (see list of branches of science) | ||
| merge | 1 to join together to make one (they merged the two branches of the bank). 2 to become part of a larger whole (three firms have merged). | ||
| merger | the joining together of two or more businesses (a merger of two banks). | ||
| meridian | an imaginary line encircling the earth from pole to pole. | ||
| meringue | a light sweet or cake made from sugar and white of egg (a pie with a topping of meringue). | ||
| Merinthophobia | fear of being bound or tied up (see list of phobias) | ||
| merit | 1 the quality of deserving praise or reward; worth; excellence (recognize the merit of the performance). 2 good point (a merit of the system). 3 npl good qualities. vb to deserve. | ||
| mermaid | an imaginary sea creature, half woman andhalf fish. Also merman | ||
| merry | joyous, happy, full of fun (a merry mood mer-ri-lee me-ri-ment/. | ||
| merry-go-round | a large revolving circular platform with seats in the shape of animals, etc, on which people may ride for amusement at an amusement park. | ||
| mesh | the space between the threads of a net. | ||
| mesmerize | also mesmerise (British spelling) 1 to hold the complete attention of and make seemingly unable to move or speak (they seemed mesmerized by her beauty). 2 (old) to hypnotize. | ||
| Mesology | study of the mutual relationships between living creatures and their biological, social, and environmental surroundings (see list of branches of science) | ||
| mess | Collective noun for grits (A mess of grits) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mess | Collective noun for iguanas (A mess of iguanas) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mess | Collective noun for officers (A mess of officers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mess | Collective noun for pottage (A mess of pottage) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mess1 | 1 a muddle (the files are in a mess). 2 a dirty or untidy state (the house is in a mess). vb 1 to make dirty or untidy (mess up the house). 2 to do badly or inefficiently (mess up the job). | ||
| mess2 | 1 a company of people who take their meals together as in the armed services. 2 the place where they eat (the officers’ mess). | ||
| message | 1 information or news sent to another by word of mouth or in writing (send a message of congratulation/receive a telephone message canceling the meeting). 2 a piece of instruction, an important idea (a story with a message). | ||
| messenger | a person who bears a message (the king’s messenger). | ||
| Messiah | 1 the deliverer promised by God to the Jews. 2 Jesus Christ, believed by Christians to be the Messiah. | ||
| Messrs | see Mr. | ||
| messy | dirty or untidy. | ||
| met | pt, pp of meet. | ||
| metabolism | the system of chemical changes in the cells of the body that provide energy (the rate of metabolism has slowed down). adj metabolic | ||
| metal | a class of substances, such as gold, copper, iron, tin, etc (boxes made of metal). | ||
| metallic | of or like metal (metallic paint). | ||
| Metallogeny | study of the origin and distribution of metal deposits (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Metallography | study of the structure and constitution of metals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Metallophobia | fear of metal (see list of phobias) | ||
| Metallurgy | study of alloying and treating metals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| metallurgy | the art or study of working with metals. n metallurgist | ||
| metamorphosis | (pl metamorphoses ) 1 a change in form or kind (a caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a butterfly). 2 a complete change (he’s undergone a metamorphosis since he married). | ||
| metaphor | a way of comparing two things by identifying them and speaking about one as if it were the other (“The camel is the ship of the desert” is a metaphor). adj metaphoric , metaphorical adv metaphorically | ||
| Metaphysics | study of principles of nature and thought (see list of branches of science) | ||
| metaphysics | the study of the nature of existence and of the mind. adj metaphysical | ||
| Metapolitics | study of politics in theory or abstract (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Metapsychology | study of nature of the mind (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Metascience | study of science (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Metathesiophobia | fear of changes (see list of phobias) | ||
| mete | (old) to measure (mete out punishment). | ||
| meteor | a shining body that can be seen moving across the sky, a shooting star. | ||
| meteoric | rapid but often short-lasting (his meteoric rise to fame). | ||
| meteorite | a meteor that falls to earth as a piece of rock. | ||
| Meteoritics | study of meteors (see list of branches of science) | ||
| meteorological | having to do with meteorology (meteorological charts/meteorological changes). | ||
| Meteorology | study of weather (see list of branches of science) | ||
| meteorology | the study or science of the earth’s weather. n meteorologist | ||
| Meteorophobia | fear of meteors (see list of phobias) | ||
| meter | Collective noun for percussionists (A meter of percussionists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| meter1 | an instrument for measuring things (a gas meter). | ||
| meter2 | also metre (British spelling) the basic measure of length in the metric system (measure the cloth in meters). abbreviation m. | ||
| meter3 | also metre (British spelling) the systematic arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables that give poetic rhythm. | ||
| methane | a flammable gas produced by decaying matter and used as a fuel. | ||
| methinks | (old or hum) it seems to me (methinks he is not telling the truth). | ||
| method | 1 a way of doing something (he did not like their method of doing business). 2 an orderly way of arranging or doing things (a system lacking method). | ||
| methodical | orderly in following a plan or system (a methodical person me-thod-ic-al-ee/. | ||
| Methodist | a member of a Christian sect founded by John Wesley. | ||
| Methodology | study or description of methods (see list of branches of science) | ||
| methyl | a substance from which wood-alcohol can be made. | ||
| methylated spirits | a type of alcohol unfit for drinking but used for burning, cleaning, etc (use methylated spirits to clean the glass). | ||
| Methyology | study of alcohol (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Methyphobia | fear of alcohol (see list of phobias) | ||
| meticulous | extremely careful about details or small matters (prepare the accounts with meticulous attention). | ||
| metre | British spelling for meter. | ||
| metric system | a system of weights and measures in which each unit is divisible into ten parts (the metric system includes meters and centimeters). | ||
| metrical | (of poetry) having a regular rhythm or meter. | ||
| Metrics | study of versification (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Metrology | study of weights and measures (see list of branches of science) | ||
| metronome | an instrument that can be set to mark time correctly for a musician (a metronome on the piano). | ||
| Metrophobia | fear or hatred of poetry (see list of phobias) | ||
| metropolis | (fml or hum) a large city, especially the capital (the metropolis of New York). | ||
| metropolitan | belonging to a metropolis (the metropolitan area). | ||
| mettle | spirit, courage (admire their mettle in trying again). | ||
| mew , miaow, meow | the cry of a cat. vb to make a high-pitched cry like a cat (hear a cat mewing). | ||
| mezzo-soprano | a female voice between soprano and contralto (a musical role for a mezzo-soprano). | ||
| miaow | see mew. | ||
| mice | pl of mouse. | ||
| Michaelmas | the feast of St Michael, September 29. | ||
| Microanatomy | study of microscopic tissues (see list of branches of science) | ||
| microbe | a tiny living creature, especially one causing disease (scientists examining microbes under microscopes). | ||
| Microbial ecology | study of microbial environment (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Microbiology | study of microscopic organisms (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Microbiophobia | fear of microbes (see list of phobias) | ||
| microchip | a very small piece of a material, usually silicon, which acts as a semi-conductor and forms the base on which an electronic circuit is printed. | ||
| Microclimatology | study of local climates (see list of branches of science) | ||
| microcosm | a little world, a small copy (a fish tank that is a microcosm of life on the sea bed). | ||
| Micrology | study of trivialities (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Micropalaeontology | study of microscopic fossils (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Microphobia | fear of small things (see list of phobias) | ||
| microphone | in a telephone or radio, the instrument by which the sound of the voice is changed into electric waves, used to make sounds louder (the news reporter spoke into a microphone/the singer used a microphone so that everyone in the theater could hear). | ||
| Microphytology | study of very small plant life (see list of branches of science) | ||
| microscope | an instrument containing an arrangement of curved lenses by means of which very tiny objects can be seen larger and studied. | ||
| microscopic | 1 very small, tiny, seen only with the help of a microscope (microscopic bacteria). 2 (informal) tiny (a microscopic improvement). | ||
| Microscopy | study of minute objects (see list of branches of science) | ||
| microwave | a microwave oven, an oven which cooks or heats up food very quickly using electromagnetic radiation. vb to cook or heat in a microwave. | ||
| mid | having to do with the middle, in the middle of (in mid-air, in mid-career). | ||
| midday | noon or the time about noon (lunch at midday). | ||
| middle | equally distant from the ends or limits (the middle seat in the row). n the center, the middle part or point (stand in the middle of the circle). | ||
| Middle Ages | the period between AD 500 and AD 1500 in European history. | ||
| middle class | those who are well enough off to live in comfort, but are neither wealthy nor of noble birth. adj middle-class having to do with the middle class (political policies appealing more to middle-class voters than to the working class). | ||
| Middle East | Asian countries west of India and China. | ||
| middle-aged | neither old nor young, between youthand old age (a middle-aged man and woman). | ||
| middleman | a trader who buys goods in large quantities from the maker or producer and sells them again at a profit to store owners. | ||
| middleweight | a boxer who fights in the class with a maximum weight of 160 lb (72.5 kg). | ||
| middling | (informal) neither very good nor very bad, average (of middling ability). | ||
| midget | a very small person or thing. | ||
| midland | far from the coasts or borders of a country. | ||
| midnight | 12 o’clock at night (go to bed at midnight). | ||
| midriff | the part of the body containing the muscles separating the stomach from the lungs (a sweater that left her midriff bare). | ||
| midshipman | a naval rank between cadet and sublieutenant. | ||
| midst | the middle (he found himself in the midst of the battle). | ||
| midsummer | the middle of summer. | ||
| midtown | the part of a city between uptown and downtown. | ||
| midway | 1 halfway (their house is midway between the two towns). Also adv. 2 an area with sideshows at a fair. | ||
| midwife | (pl midwives ) a person who assists a mother at the birth of a baby (the midwife delivered the baby). | ||
| midwifery | the knowledge or study of the work of a midwife. | ||
| midwinter | the middle of winter (the severe cold of midwinter). | ||
| might1 (past tense) | of may1. | ||
| might2 | power, strength (crushed by the might of the enemy army). | ||
| mighty | 1 powerful, strong (a mighty blow/a mighty nation). 2 huge (a mighty oak tree). adv very (mighty fine). | ||
| migraine | a severe headache, often accompanied by a feeling of sickness and visual disturbances. | ||
| migrant | a person or a bird that migrates. Also adj. | ||
| migrate | 1 to move your home from one land to another, to go from one place to another (tribes that migrated to find food). 2 (of birds) to move to another place at the season when its climate is suitable. n migration adj migratory (migratory birds, such as swallows). | ||
| mike | (informal) a microphone. | ||
| mild | 1 gentle, merciful, not severe (a mild punishment milde-lee milde-ness/. | ||
| mildew | a tiny but destructive growth that appears and spreads on leaves or on damp paper, leather, etc (mildew on old books). | ||
| mile | in the imperial system, a measure of length (= 1760 yards) (distances measured in miles). | ||
| mileage, milage | distance in miles (what mileage has the car done?). | ||
| milestone | 1 a stone by the roadside telling the distance in miles to places in the neighborhood. 2 a time at which you can consider the progress made (reach a milestone in her career). | ||
| militant | 1 fighting, warlike (a militant nation). 2 active in a campaign (militant members of the feminist movement). n militancy | ||
| militarism | belief in the use of armies or war in politics (the militarism of the country in invading others). n militarist adj militaristic | ||
| military | having to do with soldiers or battles. n the army, soldiers (join the military). | ||
| militate | 1 to act or stand (against) (militating against injustice). 2 to act as a reason against (his criminal record militated against him/the recession militated against house sales). | ||
| militia | a reserve army, consisting of people trained in the use of arms, and called out in an emergency. n militiaman | ||
| milk | 1 the liquid produced by female mammals to feed their babies (a baby getting milk from its mother). 2 such milk produced by cows or goats and drunk by humans or made into butter and cheese (have bottles of milk delivered). vb to draw milk from (e.g. a cow). | ||
| milk shake | a cold frothy drink made from milk shaken up with flavoring and ice cream. | ||
| milk tooth | one of a child’s first set of teeth (baby’s first milk tooth came through). | ||
| milkmaid | a woman who milks cows. | ||
| milkman | a man who sells or delivers milk. | ||
| milky | 1 like milk (a milky liquid). 2 containing a lot of milk (a milky drink). | ||
| Milky Way | a bright band across the night sky, made up of countless stars within our galaxy. | ||
| mill | 1 a machine for grinding corn, coffee, etc. 2 the building in which corn is ground into flour. 3 a factory (steel mills cotton mills). vb 1 to grind (mill corn). 2 to stamp a coin and cut grooves around its edge. | ||
| mill hand | a factory worker (mill hands no longer able to find work). | ||
| millennium | (pl millennia or millenniums ) 1 a period of 1000 years. 2 according to the Christian Bible, the 1000 years for which Christ will reign on earth. | ||
| miller | a person who keeps a corn mill. | ||
| millet | a grass bearing edible grain. | ||
| milligram | the thousandth part of a gram (measure the drug in milligrams). | ||
| millimeter | also millimetre (British spelling) the thousandth part of a meter. | ||
| milliner | a person who makes or sells ladies’ hats (the number of milliners has decreased with the decline in hat wearing). | ||
| millinery | hats made or sold by a milliner. | ||
| million | 1 a thousand thousand (1,000,000). 2 (informal) a very great many (excuses by the million). | ||
| millionaire | a person who possesses a million or more dollars (lottery winners who are now millionaires). | ||
| millipede | an insect with many feet. | ||
| millstone | 1 a heavy round stone used for grinding corn into flour. 2 a very heavy load or handicap (she has the millstone of a lazy husband). | ||
| millwheel | the large wheel, turned by water power, that drives the machinery inside a mill. | ||
| mime | 1 a play without words carried on by facial expressions, gestures, and actions. 2 using actions without language (we showed her by mime that we wanted to find a restaurant as we did not speak the language). vb 1 to mouth the words to a recorded song. 2 to act without speaking (he mimed that he wanted a drink). | ||
| mimic | (mimicked , mimicking ) to imitate, especially in order to make fun of (she mimics his way of walking to amuse her classmates). n a person who imitates. | ||
| mimicry | imitation (impressed by the performer’s mimicry of the prime minister). | ||
| mimosa | a tree with sweet-smelling flowers. | ||
| minaret | the tower of a Muslim mosque. | ||
| mince | to cut into very small pieces (mince up the beef). not to mince matters to speak the plain truth (not to mince matters, he’s a liar). | ||
| mincemeat | 1 minced meat. 2 currants, etc, chopped up small and mixed with spices (pies made with mincemeat for Christmas). | ||
| mind | 1 the power by which human beings understand, think, feel, will, etc (have a sharp mind/an adult with the mind of a child). 2 a person of great mental ability (one of the great minds of the century). 3 memory (unable to call his name to mind). vb 1 to take care of (mind the baby). 2 to take heed, to be careful (mind you don’t fall on the ice). 3 to object to (I do not mind if you leave early). mind your p’s and q’s to be careful what you say or do (mind your p’s and q’s when you visit his parents). mind your own business not to interfere in another’s affairs (he told his neighbor to mind her own business). | ||
| minded | desirous, inclined (serious-minded). | ||
| mindful | not forgetful, paying attention to (always mindful of possible dangers). | ||
| mindless | unthinking, stupid (a mindless act of violence). | ||
| mine1 | (possessive) belonging to me (the pen is mine). | ||
| mine2 | 1 a deep hole made in the earth so that minerals can be taken from beneath its surface (a coal mine/a gold mine). 2 a container filled with explosive charge to blow something up (military tanks blown up by enemy mines). 3 a person or place from which much may be obtained (a mine of information). vb 1 to make tunnels into and under the earth (the area is extensively mined). 2 to dig for in a mine (mining coal). 3 to place explosive mines in position (the enemy mined the beaches). 4 to blow up with mines (ships mined in the war). | ||
| minefield | 1 an area in which there are many mineral mines. 2 an area in which many explosive mines are placed. 3 something full of hidden dangers (her situation at work is a minefield). | ||
| minelayer | a ship that places mines in a minefield. | ||
| miner | a person who works in a mine (a coal-miner). | ||
| mineral | an inorganic substance found naturally in the earth (coal and salt are minerals). adj having to do with minerals (the country’s mineral wealth). | ||
| mineral water | water that comes from a natural spring and contains minerals, sometimes still and sometimes carbonated (a bottle of still mineral water). | ||
| Mineralogy | study of minerals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| mineralogy | the study of minerals. n mineralogist | ||
| mine-sweeper | a ship that clears an area of mines. | ||
| mingle | 1 to mix together (comments that mingled praise with blame). 2 to mix with (police mingling with the crowds). | ||
| mini- | prefix very small of its kind. | ||
| miniature | a very small painting (a miniature of the artist’s mother). adj very small, tiny (a miniature bottle of whiskey). | ||
| minim | see half-note. | ||
| minimize | also minimise (British spelling) 1 to make smaller or less. 2 to make seem less important (minimizing the problems). | ||
| minimum | the smallest amount possible (we want the minimum of fuss). Also adj. adj minimal | ||
| minion | a slave-like follower or employee, a person who always does as his or her employer’s orders (the manager and his minions treated the rest of us badly). | ||
| minister | 1 a member of the clergy (the minister’s sermon). 2 (British spelling) a person in charge of a government department (Minister of Transport). 3 the principal representative of a government in another country. vb to give help, to serve (she ministers to his every need). | ||
| ministerial | having to do with a minister (ministerial duties). | ||
| ministry | 1 the clergy (join the ministry). 2 a (British spelling) department of government in charge of a minister. | ||
| mink | (pl mink) a small stoat-like animal valued for its fur (breed mink in captivity/a mink coat). | ||
| minnow | a very small freshwater fish. | ||
| minor | 1 smaller, of less importance (minor issues). 2 (music) relating to a minor scale, key or interval (a minor key). n 1 a person below the age when you have full civil rights (he committed murder while still a minor). 2 (music) a minor key, interval, or scale (played in A minor). | ||
| minority | 1 the state of being below the age when you have full civil rights. 2 the smaller number in a group or assembly, less than half (a minority of people voted against the suggestion/the objectors were in the minority). | ||
| minstrel | 1 in olden times, a wandering singer and poet. 2 (old) a singer. | ||
| mint | Collective noun for candies (A mint of candies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mint1 | 1 a place where coins are made, especially by the government. 2 (informal) a large amount (he earns a mint). vb to make coins. | ||
| mint2 | a sweet-smelling herb whose leaves are used as flavoring in cooking (lamb flavored with mint). | ||
| minuet | (old) 1 a slow, graceful dance. 2 music for this dance. | ||
| minus (preposition) | 1 less (ten minus three is seven). 2 (informal) not having (we are minus two members of staff). adj less than zero (a minus quantity). n the sign of subtraction (–). | ||
| minuscule | extremely small. | ||
| minute1 | 1 the 60th part of an hour. 2 the 60th part of a degree. 3 a short time (I’ll be with you in a minute). 4 a written note or comment. 5 pl a short account of what was discussed and decided at a meeting. vb to make a written note of. | ||
| minute2 | 1 very small (minute quantities of the drug). 2 exact (minute attention to detail). | ||
| minutiae | small details (get to the main point and ignore the minutiae). | ||
| minx | a forward or impertinent girl (the minx told her grandmother to keep quiet). | ||
| miracle | 1 an extraordinary event believed by some to be brought about by the interference of God with the natural course of events. 2 any extraordinary event for which there is no known explanation (it is a miracle that the family can survive on that income). | ||
| miraculous | 1 caused by a miracle, marvelous (the miraculous cures of Christ). 2 amazing, extraordinary (his miraculous recovery). adv miraculously | ||
| mirage | imaginary objects (e.g. water, trees) that appear real to a traveler because of certain atmospheric conditions, such as shimmer caused by heat (they thought they saw an oasis in the desert but it was a mirage). | ||
| mire | (fml or lit) wet, muddy ground, mud (vehicles stuck in the mire). | ||
| mirror | a looking-glass. vb to reflect as in a mirror. | ||
| mirth | laughter, merriment (collapse with mirth at the antics of the clown). adj mirthful , mirthless | ||
| misadventure | (fml or old) an unlucky happening (death by misadventure). | ||
| misanthrope , misanthropist | (formal) a person who hates humankind (a misanthrope who stays away from other people as much as possible). adj misanthropic n misanthropy | ||
| misapprehend | (formal) to misunderstand (misapprehend their intentions). n misapprehension | ||
| misappropriate | (formal) to put to a wrong use, to use dishonestly for yourself (misappropriating the firm’s money and running off with it). | ||
| misbehave | to behave badly. n misbehavior , also misbehaviour (British spelling) | ||
| miscalculate | to work out an answer or likely result wrongly (miscalculating the cost of the journey). n miscalculation | ||
| miscarriage | the loss of a baby from the womb before it is able to survive. miscarriage of justice a mistaken finding by a court that an innocent person is guilty of a crime. | ||
| miscarry | to have a miscarriage (the expectant mother miscarried). | ||
| miscellaneous | mixed, of different kinds (a miscellaneous collection of old books). | ||
| miscellany | (formal) a mixture, a collection of things of different kinds (a miscellany of old books). | ||
| mischance | (formal) an unlucky happening (killed by mischance). | ||
| mischief | 1 (formal) harm done on purpose (the mischief done to their property by vandals). 2 children’s naughtiness (children punished for their mischief). | ||
| mischievous | 1 harmful, intended to cause trouble (mischievous gossip). 2 naughty (mischievous children). adv mischievously | ||
| misconception | a mistaken idea, misunderstanding (she was under the misconception that he was unmarried). | ||
| misconduct | bad or wrong behavior (workers sacked for misconduct on duty). | ||
| misconstrue | (formal) to give a wrong meaning or significance to (misconstruing his instructions). n misconstruction | ||
| miscreant | (formal) a wicked person (miscreants sent to prison by the judge). | ||
| misdeed | (formal) a wrongful action, a crime (punished for their misdeeds). | ||
| misdemeanor | also misdemeanour (British spelling) 1 an act that breaks the law, a petty crime (fined for a fairly minor misdemeanor). 2 an act of misbehavior (the child’s misdemeanor). | ||
| misdirect | to give wrong instructions to (accused of misdirecting the jury). n misdirection | ||
| miser | a person who dislikes spending money (too much of a miser even to eat properly). | ||
| miserable | 1 very unhappy (a miserable child a miserable place to live). 3 low in quality or quantity (a miserable performance mi-zer-blee/. | ||
| miserly | very mean (a miserly employer). | ||
| misery | great unhappiness or suffering (the misery of their existence). | ||
| misfire | 1 (of guns) to fail to go off. 2 to fail (plans that misfired). Also n. | ||
| misfit | a person unsuited to his or her circumstances (as a shy person, he is a misfit in the sales industry). | ||
| misfortune | 1 bad luck (have the misfortune to have her car break down). 2 a piece of bad luck (suffer one misfortune after another). | ||
| misgiving | a feeling of fear, doubt, or mistrust (last-minute misgivings about marrying someone whom he did not know well). | ||
| misguided | showing bad judgment (a misguided attempt to help). | ||
| mishandle | (formal) to manage badly (mishandling the situation). | ||
| mishap | an unlucky event, usually not serious (he had a mishap parking the car). | ||
| misinform | (formal) to give wrong information (we were misinformed about the time of the meeting). | ||
| misinterpret | to give a wrong meaning to (misinterpreted what they were asked to do). n misinterpretation | ||
| misjudge | to judge wrongly, to form a wrong opinion (you are misjudging him—he is a very pleasant person). | ||
| mislay | (pt, pp mislaid ) to put (something) down andforget where you have put it (mislaid the book that she was reading). | ||
| mislead | (pt, pp misled ) to deceive, to give the wrong idea to (he tried to mislead the police by giving wrong evidence). | ||
| mismanage | to manage badly (mismanaging his finances). n mismanagement | ||
| misnomer | a wrong or unsuitable name (“assistant” was a misnomer—she never did a thing to help me do the job). | ||
| misogynist | a man who hates women (he never married—he’s a misogynist.). | ||
| Misophobia | fear of being contaminated with dirt or germs. (see list of phobias) | ||
| misplace | to put in a wrong place (misplace a book). | ||
| misprint | a mistake in printing (correct the misprint before the book is published). vb misprint | ||
| mispronounce | to pronounce wrongly (don’t mispronounce his name). n mispronunciation | ||
| misquote | to quote wrongly, to make mistakes in trying to repeat another’s words. n misquotation | ||
| misread | (pt, pp misread ) to read wrongly (misread the instructions). | ||
| misrepresent | to give an untrue account of another’s ideas or opinions (in court he misrepresented what I had said). n misrepresentation | ||
| misrule | to rule or govern badly. Also n. | ||
| Miss | the title put before the name of a girl or an unmarried woman. | ||
| miss1 | 1 to fail to hit, find, meet, catch, or notice (the batter missed the ball/he missed the bus). 2 to leave out (he missed a bit when he was painting). 3 to regret the loss or absence of (she missed her friend when he went abroad). n a failure to hit or catch. | ||
| miss2 | (pl misses ) (old) an unmarried woman, a girl. | ||
| missal | a Roman Catholic prayer book containing prayers, etc, for Mass. | ||
| misshapen | badly formed, deformed, ugly (misshapen oak trees). | ||
| missile | 1 any object thrown or fired from a gun to do harm. 2 an explosive flying weapon with its own engine, which can be aimed at distant objects (nuclear missiles). | ||
| missing | lost (the missing letter/his son has gone missing). | ||
| mission | 1 persons sent to carry out a certain task (an American trade mission sent to the UK). 2 the task itself (the group’s mission was to blow up the enemy bridge). 3 your chief aim in life (her mission is to help people). 4 a group of persons sent to a foreign land to teach their religion. 5 the building(s) in which they live (the mission also provides medical services). | ||
| missionary | a person who is sent to a foreign land to teach his or her religion. Also adj. | ||
| misspell | (pt, pp misspelled or misspelt ) to spell wrongly (she misspelled his name). n misspelling | ||
| misspend | (pt, pp misspent ) to spend wastefully or unprofitably (she misspent her dead mother’s savings). | ||
| mist | 1 rain in fine, tiny drops. 2 a cloud resting on the ground (cars having to drive slowly in the mist). | ||
| mistake | 1 to understand wrongly (she mistook what he said). 2 to confuse one person or thing with another (she mistook him for his brother). n an error. | ||
| mistaken | in error, wrong (a mistaken interpretation of the situation). | ||
| mister | 1 an informal form of address for a man (hey, mister). 2 the official form of address used by a commanding officer to his officers in the US navy. | ||
| mistime | to time badly, to do something at a wrong time (they mistimed their arrival). | ||
| mistletoe | an evergreen plant with white berries (hang bunches of mistletoe at Christmas). | ||
| mistreat | to treat badly. | ||
| mistress | 1 a woman having charge or control (of) (she is the mistress of the house). 2 (British spelling) short for schoolmistress a woman teacher. 3 a woman who is the lover of a man and sometimes maintained by him but not married to him (his wife does not know he has a mistress). | ||
| mistrust | to suspect, to doubt. Also n. | ||
| misty | 1 darkened or clouded by mist (misty hills). 2 not clear (her eyes were misty with tears). | ||
| misunderstand | (pt, pp misunderstood ) to take a wrong meaning from (they misunderstood his directions and got lost). | ||
| misunderstanding | a disagreement, especially one due to failure to see another’s meaning or intention (they have not spoken to each other for years, and it was all because of a misunderstanding). | ||
| misuse | to use in the wrong way, to use badly (the machine broke because they misused it). n improper or wrong use (his misuse of the firm’s money). | ||
| mite | 1 a type of very small insect. 2 a small child (a poor little mite dressed in rags). 3 a very small amount. | ||
| miter | also mitre (British spelling) 1 the tall pointed headgear worn by bishops. 2 a way of joining two boards meeting at right angles. | ||
| mitigate | 1 to make less serious, to excuse to some extent (the lawyer hoped that the fact that the accused murdered in self-defense would mitigate the offense). 2 to make less severe (a drug for mitigating the pain). n mitigation | ||
| mitt , mitten | 1 a type of glove that covers the hand but not the fingers and thumb. 2 a glove without separate places for the fingers (the little girl wore mittens and a matching hat). | ||
| mix | 1 to put together to form one (mix the butter and sugar). 2 to go together or blend successfully (oil and water do not mix). 3 to join in (with others) (she did not mix at the party). | ||
| mixed | 1 made up of different things or kinds (mixed feelings). 2 relating to people of different sexes (a mixed school/mixed doubles at tennis). | ||
| mixture | the result of mixing things or people together (a mixture of eggs, flour, and milk/a mixture of nationalities). | ||
| mnemonic | helping the memory. n something easily remembered that helps you to remember something else (mnemonics to remind him how to spell certain words). | ||
| Mnemophobia | fear of memories (see list of phobias) | ||
| moan | 1 to make a low sound expressing sorrow or pain (moaning in agony). 2 (informal) to complain (she’s always moaning about the weather). Also n. | ||
| moat | a trench, often filled with water, around a castle or fort. | ||
| mob | a disorderly crowd (football mobs). vb (mobbed , mobbing ) to crowd around in a disorderly way (the movie star was mobbed by photographers). | ||
| mob | Collective noun for emus (A mob of emus) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mob | Collective noun for gangsters (A mob of gangsters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mob | Collective noun for kangaroos (A mob of kangaroos) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mob | Collective noun for Texans (A mob of Texans) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mob | Collective noun for wallabies (A mob of wallabies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mob | Collective noun for wombats (A mob of wombats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mobile | 1 that can be moved (a mobile library). 2 easily moved (mobile office units). 3 able to move easily, active (old people no longer mobile). n a decoration which hangs from the ceiling by threads or wire and which has attached to it several small objects which move when the surrounding air moves (a mobile made of plastic fish). | ||
| mobile phone | see cellphone. | ||
| mobility | ability to move about (old people annoyed at their lack of mobility). | ||
| mobilize | also mobilise (British spelling) 1 to call upon to serve as soldiers (officers told to mobilize their men). 2 to organize for a particular reason (mobilizing supporters for the party rally). n mobilization , also mobilisation (British spelling) | ||
| moccasin | a shoe or slipper made of deerskin or sheepskin. | ||
| mock | 1 to make fun of (they mocked his attempts to improve himself). 2 to imitate in order to make appear foolish (the boys mocked the way the lame old man walked). adj false, not real (her bag was made of mock leather). | ||
| mock heroic | imitating the grand style of writing when dealing with an unimportant subject. | ||
| mockery | 1 the act of mocking. 2 a person or thing mocked (make a mockery of his attempts). | ||
| mockingbird | a type of thrush that imitates the song of other birds, etc. | ||
| mode | 1 (formal) the way of doing something (his mode of expressing himself). 2 (old) a fashion in clothing (Paris modes). | ||
| model | 1 a person or thing to be copied (use the essay as a model). 2 a copy, usually smaller, of a person or thing (models of aircraft). 3 a small copy of (e.g. a building or ship made from the plan to show what the finished object will look like) (show would-be buyers a model of the condo). 4 a living person who sits or stands still to let an artist draw him or her (act as a model for the art class). 5 a person who is employed to display clothes by wearing them (the models at the Paris fashion show). 6 an artificial figure used in display (shop-window models). adj worth copying, perfect (model behavior). vb 1 to give shape to (model the clay into a bowl). 2 to make a model of (model the head of the President in clay). 3 to wear clothes to show to possible buyers (model the new season’s fashions). | ||
| modem | a piece of equipment that links a computer to the telephone system so that information can be sent to other computers. | ||
| moderate | 1 not going to extremes (of moderate views). 2 within sensible limits (moderate prices). 3 average (someone of only moderate ability). vb 1 to prevent from going to extremes (moderate your demands). 2 to lessen (the storm is moderating). adv moderately | ||
| moderation | avoidance of extremes, self-control (drink liquor in moderation). | ||
| modern | 1 belonging to the present day (modern language changes). 2 belonging to recent centuries (modern history). 3 up-to-date (parents who have modern ideas on education). n modernity | ||
| modernize | also modernise (British spelling) to bring up to date (modernizing machinery to keep ahead of the competition). | ||
| modest | 1 not having too high an opinion of yourself (a very modest young woman). 2 not boastful (modest about her success). 3 decent (always modest in her dress). 4 not very large (a modest increase in salary). adv modestly n modesty | ||
| modicum | (formal) a small amount (not a modicum of truth in what he says). | ||
| modification | an alteration, a small change (minor modifications to the house plans). | ||
| modify | 1 to alter in part (modified the design). 2 to make less severe (modify his extreme views). | ||
| modish | (formal) fashionable (a modish style of dress). | ||
| modulate | 1 to raise or lower the tone or pitch of the voice when speaking or singing (actors learning to modulate their voices). 2 in music, to change from one key to another. n modulation | ||
| module | 1 one of several parts that together form a larger structure. 2 a unit of a course of study. | ||
| mohair | 1 the silky hair of an Angora goat. 2 the wool or cloth made from it (a mohair sweater). | ||
| moist | slightly wet, damp (clean it with a moist cloth/his moist brow). | ||
| moisten | to make damp (moistened a cloth to wipe the child’s face). | ||
| moisture | dampness; wetness caused by tiny drops of water in the atmosphere (soil in need of moisture). | ||
| moisturizer | also moisturiser (British spelling) cream or lotion applied to treat dry skin. | ||
| molar | one of the back teeth that grind food. | ||
| molasses | also treacle (British spelling) a thick sticky dark liquid left over when sugar is made from sugar cane. | ||
| mold1 | also mould (British spelling) 1 a shaped vessel into which hot molten metal is poured so that when it cools it has the same shape as the vessel. 2 a vessel used to food. vb 1 to form in a mold (the metal is molded into bars). 2 to work into a shape (mold the clay into a ball). 3 to shape or influence (mold a child’s character). | ||
| mold2 | also mould (British spelling) a fluffy growth consisting of tiny plants on stale food or damp surfaces. | ||
| molder | also moulder (British spelling) to rot away, to crumble (walls of the old house moldering away/talent left to molder away). | ||
| molding | also moulding (British spelling) 1 anything given shape in a mold. 2 an ornamental pattern on a wall or ceiling or on a picture frame (a molding on the ceiling in the form of leaves). | ||
| moldy (British: mouldy) | covered with mold. 2 (informal) of little value, unpleasant, dull (the child complained about getting a moldy old ten dollars for Christmas). | ||
| mole1 | a dark spot on the human skin (he had a mole on his shoulder). | ||
| mole2 | 1 a small furry burrowing animal (piles of earth on his lawn caused by moles). 2 a spy who works from within an organization, passing information to another organization. | ||
| molecular | having to do with molecules (the molecular structure of the substance). | ||
| Molecular biology | study of the molecular basis of biological activity in and between cells (see list of branches of science) | ||
| molecule | the smallest particle of a substance that can exist while still retaining the chemical qualities of that substance. | ||
| molehill | the heap of earth thrown up by a burrowing mole (molehills on the lawn). | ||
| moleskin | a strong ribbed cotton cloth. | ||
| molest | 1 to disturb or annoy (molested by members of the press). 2 to make a bodily, often sexual, attack upon. n molestation | ||
| Molinology | study of mills and milling (see list of branches of science) | ||
| mollify | to make less angry, to calm down (mollified their mother by giving her flowers). | ||
| mollusk | also mollusc (British spelling) a soft-bodied animal with a hard shell, as a snail, oyster, etc (edible mollusks). | ||
| mollycoddle | to take too great care of (she mollycoddles her children). | ||
| molt | also moult (British spelling) to lose the hair or feathers, to fall off (dogs molting). | ||
| molten | 1 melted (molten metal). 2 made by having been melted (molten casts). | ||
| Molysmophobia | fear of being contaminated with dirt or germs (see list of phobias) | ||
| Molysomophobia | fear of dirt or contamination. (see list of phobias) | ||
| mom | (informal) mother (short for mommy). | ||
| moment | a very short time (it took only a moment). | ||
| momentarily | 1 for a moment (momentarily blinded by the bright light). 2 (informal) shortly (I’ll be with you momentarily). | ||
| momentary | lasting only a moment (a momentary pause). | ||
| momentous | very important (a momentous discovery). | ||
| momentum | the force of a moving body (the rock gathered momentum as it rolled downhill). | ||
| Momilogy | study of mummies (see list of branches of science) | ||
| mommy | (informal) a child’s word for mother. | ||
| monarch | a single supreme ruler, a sovereign, a kingor queen (the ruling monarch). | ||
| monarchist | a person who believes in monarchy (some people would prefer a republic but he is a monarchist). | ||
| monarchy | a state or system of government in which power is, in appearance or reality, in the hands of a single ruler (Britain is a monarchy). | ||
| monastery | a house for monks. | ||
| monastic | having to do with monks or monasteries (a monastic way of life). | ||
| Monday | the second day of the week after Sunday. | ||
| monetary | having to do with money (monetary considerations). | ||
| money | metal coins and printed banknotes used in making payments, buying, and selling. | ||
| moneyed | rich (the moneyed classes). | ||
| moneylender | a person who lives by lending money on condition that interest is paid to him or her for the time of the loan. | ||
| mongoose | (pl mongooses ) a small weasel-like animal that kills snakes. | ||
| mongrel | of mixed breed or race (a mongrel dog). n a dog of mixed breed. | ||
| monitor | 1 in school, a student who helps a teacher to keep order. 2 a device for checking electrical transmission without interfering with it. 3 an instrument that receives and shows continuous information about the working of something. 4 a screen for use with a computer. 5 a small screen in a television studio showing the picture that is being broadcast at any given time. vb to observe and check something regularly (monitor the patient’s condition). | ||
| monk | a man who, with the intention of devoting his life to prayer, joins a religious society and spends his life in a monastery. | ||
| monkey | 1 a long-tailed animal resembling a human being in shape. 2 (informal) a mischievous child (the little monkey tricked me). vb to play about (with) (somebody had monkeyed about with the computer). | ||
| monkey puzzle | an evergreen tree whose branches are covered with short prickly leaves. | ||
| mono- | prefix one. | ||
| monochrome | in one color, or in black and white (a monochrome monitor). | ||
| monocle | a single eyeglass (the old colonel always wore a monocle). | ||
| monogamy | marriage to one husband or wife only. n monogamist adj monogamous | ||
| monogram | letters, especially initials, written one on top of another to make a single design (has his monogram on his T-shirt). | ||
| monolith | a single standing stone as a pillar or ornament. adj monolithic | ||
| monolog | also monologue (British spelling) a scene or play in which only one person speaks (the play closed with a monolog). | ||
| Monopathophobia | fear of definite disease (see list of phobias) | ||
| Monophobia | fear of solitude or being alone. (see list of phobias) | ||
| monoplane | an airplane with only one pair of wings. | ||
| monopolize | also monopolise (British spelling) 1 to have or obtain complete possession or control of (they used to monopolize the ice-cream market there). 2 to take up the whole of (monopolizing the teacher’s attention). | ||
| monopoly | 1 complete control of the trade in a certain article by a single person or company (they had a monopoly of the car market once). 2 possession of or control over something that is not shared by others (she thinks that she has a monopoly on beauty). | ||
| monosyllable | a word of one syllable (she was scarcely polite and spoke in monosyllables). adj monosyllabic | ||
| monotone | a single unvarying tone of voice when speaking (an audience almost sent to sleep by the speaker’s monotone). | ||
| monotonous | 1 dull from lack of variety (a monotonous job). 2 in a monotone (a monotonous voice). | ||
| monotony | dullness, lack of variety, sameness (the monotony of his existence). | ||
| monsoon | a south Asian wind, blowing from the southwest in summer and the northeast in winter, usually bringing heavy rain. | ||
| monster | 1 a huge frightening creature (a fairytale about sea monsters). 2 anything huge (the turnip was a monster/a monster turnip). 3 an unnaturally cruel or wicked person (a monster to treat his wife so badly). | ||
| monstrosity | something, usually large, that is very ugly (my aunt left us a monstrosity of a wardrobe). | ||
| monstrous | 1 huge (monstrous trucks rushing down the freeway). 2 unnaturally cruel or wicked (a monstrous crime). | ||
| montage | a picture made by putting together many separate images. | ||
| month | one of the 12 periods of time into which the year is divided. | ||
| month | Collective noun for sundays (A month of sundays) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| monthly | happening once a month or every month (a monthly magazine). Also adv. | ||
| monument | a statue, stone, etc, set up in memory of a person or event (a monument to the soldiers killed in the war). | ||
| monumental | 1 huge (a onumental painting covering the whole wall). 2 outstanding (a monumental achievement). | ||
| mood | 1 a state of the mind and feelings, a person’s temper at a certain moment (he is in a bad mood). 2 a state of bad temper (she is in a mood). 3 in grammar, a verb form that tells whether the verb is used to express a command, desire, statement of fact, etc. | ||
| moody | tending to change mood suddenly or often; often bad-tempered (moody people). adv moodily n moodiness | ||
| moon | 1 the heavenly body that moves around the earth and reflects the light of the sun. 2 any smaller heavenly body that moves around a larger one. vb (informal) to walk about in a dreamy way (mooning about waiting for her boyfriend to ring). | ||
| moonbeam | a ray of light from the moon. | ||
| moonlight | the light from the moon (a walk in the moonlight). adj moonlit | ||
| moonstone | a precious stone, bluish-white in color. | ||
| Moor | an Arab inhabitant of Morocco, or any part of northwest Africa. adj Moorish | ||
| moor1 | a large extent of poor land on which only coarse grass, heather, etc, will grow; a heath (the Yorkshire moors). | ||
| moor2 | to fasten a ship by ropes, cables, etc (moors his yacht at the local harbor). | ||
| moorage | a place for mooring a ship (pay for a moorage near his house). | ||
| moorcock , moorfowl | the red grouse. | ||
| moorhen | the water-hen. | ||
| mooring | moorings1 the ropes, cables, etc, by which a ship is fastened (the moorings came loose). 2 the place where a ship is so fastened. | ||
| moorland | a moor, moors (an area of moorland). | ||
| moose | the elk, a type of deer found in North America. | ||
| moot | (formal) to put forward for discussion. | ||
| moot point | a matter on which two or more opinions may be upheld, an undecided matter (it’s a moot point whose land it is). | ||
| mop | strips of coarse cloth, yarn, etc, fixed together to a handle and used for washing floors, etc. vb (mopped , mopping ) to clean with a mop, to wipe (mop the floor). | ||
| mope | to be gloomy or sad (a dog moping for its owner). | ||
| moral | 1 having to do with what is right or wrong in action (a moral problem). 2 living according to the rules of right conduct (a very moral person). n 1 the lesson to be learned from a story (Aesop’s fables had morals). 2 morals your beliefs as to what is right or wrong in action (he seems to have no morals). 3 standards of behavior (complain about the morals of the teenagers). adv morally | ||
| morale | belief in your ability to do what is asked of you; courage (he tried to boost the team’s morale by telling them how well they were playing). | ||
| moralist | a person who studies questions of right and wrong. | ||
| morality | 1 moral principles. 2 a particular system of moral principles (Christian morality). 3 the quality of an action, as estimated by a standard of right and wrong. | ||
| moralize | also moralise (British spelling) to discuss questions of morals (the minister used his sermon to moralize to his congregation). | ||
| morbid | 1 unhealthy, diseased (a morbid condition of the foot). 2 thinking too much about what is gloomy or disgusting (morbid curiosity mawr-bi-di-tee mawr-bid-lee/. | ||
| more | greater in amount, number, etc (ask for more money). Also n. adv 1 to a greater extent or degree (he has traveled more). 2 again (once more). | ||
| morgue | a mortuary. | ||
| Mormon | a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, founded by Joseph Smith in 1830. Also adj. | ||
| morn | (lit) morning. | ||
| morning | the early part of the day (go to work in the morning). | ||
| morning star | the planet Venus when seen before sunrise. | ||
| morocco | a fine goatskin leather originally prepared in Morocco. | ||
| moron | 1 a feeble-minded person. 2 (informal) a very stupid person (you were a moron to drive without a license). adj moronic | ||
| morose | gloomy and ill-natured (in a morose mood after he lost the chess match). | ||
| morphia , morphine | a drug made from opium that causes sleep and lessens pain (addicted to morphia). | ||
| Morphology | study of forms and the development of structures (see list of branches of science) | ||
| morse | a signaling code in which dots and dashes (or short and long sounds or flashes) represent the letters of the alphabet (morse code). | ||
| morsel | a small piece, a bite (not able to eat another morsel). | ||
| mortal | 1 having to die (all humans are mortal). 2 causing death (a mortal blow). n a human being (mortals must die). adv mortally | ||
| mortality | 1 the state of being mortal (mortality is one of the few certain things in life). 2 the number who die from a certain cause (infant mortality is still high there). | ||
| mortar | 1 a bowl in which substances are crushed into powder (by a pestle) (she ground the spices in a mortar and pestle). 2 a gun with a short barrel. 3 a cement made of lime and sand and used in building. | ||
| mortar-board | a square-topped cap worn with an academic gown (wear a mortar-board for her graduation ceremony). | ||
| mortgage | a legal arrangement by which a bank or other financial organization lends someone the money to buy a house on the understanding that they pay it back over a set number of years (take out a mortgage on their new house). vb to give control over property to another to obtain a loan (mortgaging the house to the buildings and loan). | ||
| mortify | to make ashamed (she was mortified when she discovered that she was wearing non-matching shoes). n mortification | ||
| mortise | a hole cut in a piece of wood, etc, so that part of another piece (the tenon) may fit into it (a mortise lock). | ||
| mortuary | a building in which dead bodies are kept until burial (the victim’s corpse was removed to the mortuary). | ||
| mosaic | design made by placing together differently colored pieces of glass, stone, etc. | ||
| mosque | a Muslim place of worship. | ||
| mosquito | (pl mosquitoes ) a stinging insect that sometimes carries the germs of malaria (her leg swelled up when the mosquito bit her). | ||
| moss | a tiny flowerless plant growing on walls and tree trunks and in damp places (stones covered in moss). | ||
| mossy | overgrown with moss (mossy rocks). | ||
| most | greatest in number, amount, etc (she got most votes/most people believed him). Also n. adv 1 in or to the greatest degree or extent (most importantly). 2 very (most accomplished). | ||
| mostly | mainly. | ||
| motel | a hotel with special facilities for motorists (the motel had space for the cars next to the rooms). | ||
| moth | 1 a winged insect that flies by night (moths are like butterflies but not so brightly colored). 2 the clothes moth (moths had made holes in the clothing stored in the attic). | ||
| mother | 1 a female parent. 2 the female head of a convent of nuns. vb to care for, as would a mother (mothered the orphans). | ||
| mother tongue | your native language (English is his mother tongue). | ||
| motherhood | the state of being a mother. | ||
| mother-in-law | (pl mothers-in-law ) the mother of the person to whom you are married. | ||
| motherly | like a mother (a motherly kind of person). | ||
| mother-of-pearl | the hard pearl-like lining of certain shells (a jewel box lined with mother-of-pearl). | ||
| motif | a repeated theme in an artistic or literary work. | ||
| motion | 1 act of moving (the motion of the boat made her feel sick). 2 a movement (with a motion of his hand). 3 an idea put to a meeting so that it can be voted on (he proposed the motion that fees be raised). vb to make a movement as a sign. | ||
| motion picture | a series of still pictures captured on film which, when run through a projector are displayed as moving pictures; a movie (the motion picture industry). | ||
| motionless | unmoving (the bird lay unmoving on the ground). | ||
| motivate | to give a reason or urge to act. n motivation | ||
| motive | a reason for doing something. adj causing movement. | ||
| motor | an engine that by changing power into motion drives a machine (the car needs a new motor). adj causing movement or motion (the accident affected his motor muscles/a motor nerve). vb to travel by motor car (he motors to work every day). | ||
| motorbike | a bicycle driven by a motor. similarly motor-boat , motor car | ||
| motorist | a person who drives a motor car (a motorist driving without a license). | ||
| Motorphobia | fear of automobiles (see list of phobias) | ||
| motorway | freeway. | ||
| Mottephobia | fear of moths (see list of phobias) | ||
| mottle | to mark with spots or blotches (have a mottled complexion). | ||
| motto | (pl mottoes ) 1 a wise saying that can be used as a rule of life (“Early to bed, early to rise” is his motto). 2 the word or words on a coat of arms. 3 a printed saying or joke (mottoes in Christmas crackers). | ||
| mound | 1 a low hill. 2 a heap of earth or stones. | ||
| mount | 1 (usually in names) a hill; a mountain (Mount Everest). 2 an animal, especially a horse, for riding (he chose a mount). 3 a card or paper surrounding a painting or photograph. vb 1 to go up, to climb (mount the ladder). 2 to get on to (mount the bus). 3 to place in position (mount the photograph). 4 to get on horseback (mount the chestnut horse). | ||
| mountain | 1 a high hill (the highest mountain in the United States). 2 a large heap (a mountain of garbage). | ||
| mountain | Collective noun for debt (A mountain of debt) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mountain ash | a type of tree, the rowan. | ||
| mountaineer | a person who climbs mountains (mountaineers climbing Everest). n mountaineering | ||
| mountainous | 1 having many mountains (a mountainous region). 2 huge (a mountainous man). | ||
| mounted | on horseback (mounted police). | ||
| mourn | to show sorrow, to feel grief, especially after a loss or death (mourning her dead sister moar-ner/. | ||
| mournful | sad, sorrowful (a mournful expression). adv mournfully | ||
| mourning | 1 sorrow, grief (her mourning for her dead sister) 2 black clothing worn as a sign of grief for another’s death (the widow was wearing mourning). | ||
| mouse | (pl mice ) a small rodent animal found in houses or in the fields (have mice in the kitchen). | ||
| moustache | see mustache | ||
| mouth | 1 the opening in the face for eating and uttering sounds (she opened her mouth to scream). 2 the opening into anything hollow (the mouth of the jam jar). 3 the part of a river where it flows into the sea. vb to twist the mouth into different shapes (mouth the answer silently to him). | ||
| mouthful | the amount placed in the mouth at one time (eat the cake in two mouthfuls). | ||
| mouthpiece | 1 the part of a musical instrument or pipe placed in the mouth. 2 a person who speaks for others. | ||
| movable, moveable | able to be moved (movable property). npl property that can be moved, especially furniture. | ||
| move | 1 to cause to change place or position (move the chairs to the next room). 2 to go from one place to another. 3 to change houses. 4 to set in motion. 5 to stir up the feelings. 6 to rouse to action (she moved them to protest). 7 at a meeting, to put forward an idea to be voted on (he moved that they sell the building). n 1 a change of position or place. 2 an action (I wonder what his next move will be). | ||
| movement | 1 act of moving (police are watching his movements). 2 change of position (the sudden movement made the dog bark). 3 a number of people working for the same purpose (the women’s movement). 4 a complete part of a long musical work (the slow movement). | ||
| movie | a cinema picture, a motion picture. npl: the movies a showing of a motion picture (let’s go to the movies). | ||
| moving | stirring up the feelings (a moving story/the moving sight of the little girl in tears). | ||
| moving picture | a cinema picture, a movie. | ||
| mow | (pp mown ) 1 to cut (grass) (mowing the lawn). 2 to knock down, to kill in large numbers (a group of children mown down by a huge truck). | ||
| mower | a person or machine that mows (a lawn mower). | ||
| Mr | (pl Messrs a title used before a man’s name, especially in the address on an envelope. | ||
| Mrs | a title used before a married woman’s name. | ||
| much | great in amount or quantity (not much money). n a great amount (he does not earn much). adv greatly. | ||
| muck | (informal) wet filth, dirt. vb (informal) 1 to dirty. 2 to make a mess of (muck up the clean kitchen). 3 to spoil (muck up our plans). 4 to bungle (muck up the interview). | ||
| mucky | (informal) filthy (children with mucky hands). | ||
| mucous | producing mucus, slimy. | ||
| mucous membrane | the inner skin lining the nose, mouth, etc. | ||
| mucus | the shiny liquid coming from the mucous membrane of the nose (the mucus that comes from your nose when you have a cold). | ||
| mud | soft wet earth (cars stuck in the mud). | ||
| muddle | 1 to confuse (she felt a bit muddled about the directions). 2 to mix up (she muddled the dates). 3 to act without plan (muddling through the meeting). n confusion, disorder. | ||
| muddy | covered with mud (muddy clothing). vb 1 to make dirty or muddy (dirt muddying water). 2 to make unclear. | ||
| muesli | a breakfast cereal consisting of grains, nuts, and dried fruit. | ||
| muff1 | a cover of warm material (often fur) for both hands (gloves are usually worn now instead of muffs). | ||
| muff2 | (informal) 1 to fail to hold (muff a catch at cricket). 2 to do badly (given an opportunity to succeed but muffed it). | ||
| muffin | a small sweet bread roll usually eaten warm. | ||
| muffle | 1 to wrap up to keep warm (children muffled up in scarves and hats). 2 to deaden sound (a gag muffling his cries). 3 to make a sound less loud (muffle the sound of the car’s exhaust). | ||
| muffler | 1 a warm scarf. 2 a device that makes a sound less loud, especially in a car’s exhaust system. | ||
| mug1 | a drinking vessel with a handle and more or less straight sides (a mug of coffee). | ||
| mug2 | (mugged , mugging ) to attack and rob (I was mugged at knifepoint). n mugger | ||
| muggy | unpleasantly warm and damp (muggy weather). | ||
| mulberry | 1 a tree bearing dark red edible berries. 2 a dark reddish-purple color. | ||
| mule | the offspring of an ass and a horse, supposedly famous for its stubbornness (used a mule to carry their load myoo-lish myoo-lish-ness/. | ||
| mull | mull over to think carefully about (mull over your proposal). | ||
| mull2 | to heat, sweeten, and spice (wine, ale, etc) (have mulled wine at Christmas). | ||
| mullet | an edible sea fish. | ||
| mullion | an upright bar between the divisions of a window. | ||
| multi- | prefix many. | ||
| multi-colored | of many colors (multi-colored summer shirts). | ||
| multilateral | 1 having many sides. 2 (formal) concerning more than two groups (a multilateral agreement). | ||
| multimedia | 1 using several different methods and media (a multimedia approach to advertising). 2 in computing, using sound and video images as well as data. | ||
| multiple | 1 having or affecting many parts (accident victims receive multiple injuries). 2 involving many things of the same kind (a multiple crash on the freeway). n a number that contains another an exact number of times (12 is a multiple of 4). | ||
| multiplex | a building that contains several movie theaters. | ||
| multiplication | Collective noun for loafers (A multiplication of loafers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| multiplier | the number by which another is multiplied. | ||
| multiply | 1 to find the number obtained by adding a number to itself a certain number of times (if you multiply 4 by 3 you get 12). 2 to increase (their misfortunes seem to multiply/multiplied their chances of success). | ||
| multiplying | Collective noun for husbands (A multiplying of husbands) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| multitude | 1 (old) a crowd (the leader spoke to the multitude). 2 a great number (a multitude of objections). | ||
| multitudinous | (fml or hum) very many (his multitudinous relatives). | ||
| mum1 | keeping information to oneself; silent (he was told to keep mum about the accident). | ||
| mum2 | see mom. | ||
| mumble | to speak in a low, indistinct voice (he mumbled the answer so the teacher couldn’t hear). | ||
| mumbo-jumbo | meaningless talk. | ||
| mummy1 | a human body kept from decay by being treated with certain drugs and wrapped tightly in cloth (Egyptian mummies). vb mummify | ||
| mummy2 | see mommy. | ||
| mumps | an infectious disease that causes swelling of the neck and face (in bed with mumps). | ||
| munch | to chew noisily, to crush with teeth (munch cookies/munch on an apple). | ||
| mundane | 1 (formal) having to do with this world (mundane, not spiritual, pleasure). 2 ordinary, with nothing exciting or unusual (a mundane job). | ||
| municipal | having to do with a city or town (municipal buildings). | ||
| municipality | a city or town with certain powers of self-government. | ||
| munificent | (formal) generous (a munificent gift of diamonds). n munificence | ||
| munitions | the guns, shells, etc, used in making war (a munitions factory). | ||
| mural | a painting that is painted directly onto the walls of a building (a mural in the hospital corridor showing people being healed). | ||
| murder | act of unlawfully and intentionally killing another (commit murder). Also vb. n murderer , murderess | ||
| murder | Collective noun for crows (A murder of crows) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| murderous | 1 used to committing murder (murderous thugs). 2 cruel, savage (a murderous attack). | ||
| Muriphobia | fear of mice (see list of phobias) | ||
| murky | 1 dark, gloomy (a murky night). 2 vague or obscure (he has a murky past). | ||
| murmur | 1 a low, indistinct sound, as of running water (the murmur of the stream). 2 a soft low continuous sound (a murmur of voices in the next room). 3 a grumble (murmurs against his handling of the situation). vb 1 to make a low indistinct sound. 2 to talk in a low voice (he murmured something in his sleep). 3 to grumble (murmur about their lack of money). | ||
| murmuration | Collective noun for starlings (A murmuration of starlings) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Murophobia | fear of mice or rats (see list of phobias) | ||
| muscle | the elastic fibers in the body that enable it to make movements (strain a muscle by lifting a heavy weight). | ||
| muscle | Collective noun for marines (A muscle of marines) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Muscology | study of mosses (see list of branches of science) | ||
| muscular | 1 having well-developed muscles, strong (a muscular young man). 2 having to do with muscles (muscular strain). | ||
| muse1 | 1 in legend, one of the nine goddesses of the arts and learning. 2 (formal) inspiration to write (e.g. poetry) (the muse deserted him). | ||
| muse2 | to think deeply about, to ponder (musing on the events of the day). | ||
| Museology | study of museums (see list of branches of science) | ||
| museum | a building in which objects of scientific, artistic, or literary interest are kept (the ancient tools in the museum). | ||
| museum | Collective noun for art (A museum of art) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mushroom | an edible plant with a soft whitish pulpy top (steak in mushroom sauce). vb to grow in size very rapidly (new supermarkets mushrooming). | ||
| music | 1 the art of arranging sounds to give melody or harmony (studying music). 2 the sounds so arranged when played, sung, or written down (orchestral music). | ||
| musical | 1 having to do with music. 2 pleasant-sounding (a musical voice). n a play or a movie that includes a lot of songs. adv musically | ||
| musician | a person who is skilled in music (the musicians in the orchestra). | ||
| Musicology | study of music (see list of branches of science) | ||
| musk | a sweet-smelling substance obtained from the musk deer and used in making perfume. | ||
| musket | (old) a hand-gun formerly carried by soldiers. | ||
| musketeer | (old) a soldier armed with a musket. | ||
| muskrat | a large water-rat found in North America. | ||
| musky | smelling of musk (a perfume with a musky smell). | ||
| Muslim | a person who follows the religion of Islam. Also adj. | ||
| muslin | a fine thin cotton cloth. | ||
| Musophobia | fear of mice (see list of phobias) | ||
| musquash | the fur of the muskrat. | ||
| mussel | an edible shellfish enclosed in a hinged shell (at the restaurant I had mussels as a first course). | ||
| must | to have to (I must go home now). | ||
| mustache | also moustache (British spelling) the hair growing on the upper lip (he had a black mustache). | ||
| mustang | a wild horse native to the United States, descended from horses brought by the Spanish. | ||
| mustard | 1 a plant with hot-tasting seeds. 2 a type of seasoning made from these for flavoring food, especially meat (spread mustard on the beef sandwiches). | ||
| muster | Collective noun for peacocks (A muster of peacocks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| muster | Collective noun for storks (A muster of storks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| musty | stale (a musty smell in the old house/the musty smell of old books). | ||
| mutable | (formal) changeable (mutable attitudes). | ||
| mutation | change, alteration (new kinds of plants can sometimes be caused by mutation of the genes). n mutant | ||
| mutation | Collective noun for thrushes (A mutation of thrushes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mute | 1 silent (a mute appeal for mercy). 2 unable to speak (mute since birth). 3 not pronounced (a mute “l”). n 1 a dumb person. 2 an attachment that lessens or modifies the sound of a musical instrument. | ||
| muted | 1 having the sound altered by a mute. 2 subdued (muted enthusiasm). 3 soft in hue, shade, etc (muted colors). | ||
| mutilate | to damage seriously by removing a part, especially a limb (the murderer mutilated the corpse). n mutilation | ||
| mutineer | a person who takes part in a mutiny. | ||
| mutinous | 1 taking part in a mutiny (the mutinous sailors). 2 obstinate and sulky, as if going to disobey (mutinous children objecting to the cancellation of the party). | ||
| mutiny | refusal to obey those in charge, especially a rising of people in the armed services against their officers (a mutiny of sailors protesting about poor food). Also vb. | ||
| mutter | to speak in a low voice, without sounding the vowels clearly, especially when grumbling or insulting (mutter a complaint). Also n. | ||
| mutter | Collective noun for mothers-in-law (A mutter of mothers-in-law) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| mutton | the flesh of sheep as meat (roast mutton). | ||
| mutual | 1 given and received in the same degree by those concerned (mutual help myoo-chu-wa-lee/. | ||
| muzzle | 1 the mouth and nose of an animal (a black dog with a gray muzzle). 2 a cage or set of straps fastened on an animal’s mouth to prevent it biting (the dog was apt to attack people and so it was made to wear a muzzle). 3 the open end of a gun. vb 1 to put a muzzle on an animal’s mouth. 2 to prevent from speaking freely. | ||
| my | belonging to me (I cut my finger). | ||
| Mycology | study of funguses (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Mycophobia | fear or aversion to mushrooms (see list of phobias) | ||
| Mycrophobia | fear of small things (see list of phobias) | ||
| Myctophobia | fear of darkness (see list of phobias) | ||
| Myology | study of muscles (see list of branches of science) | ||
| myopia | short-sightedness. | ||
| myopic | short-sighted (too myopic to recognize people across the street). | ||
| myriad | a very large number (a myriad of reasons). Also adj. | ||
| Myrmecology | study of ants (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Myrmecophobia | fear of ants (see list of phobias) | ||
| myrrh | 1 a tree from which is obtained a sweet-smelling gum. 2 the gum so obtained. | ||
| myrtle | an evergreen shrub with sweet-smelling white flowers. | ||
| myself | (used reflexively or for emphasis) me (I hurt myself). | ||
| Mysophobia | fear of being contaminated with dirt or germs (see list of phobias) | ||
| mysterious | difficult to understand or explain (the mysterious stranger mi-stee-ree-us-lee/. | ||
| mystery | 1 a religious truth that cannot be fully understood by the human mind. 2 anything difficult to understand or explain (his background was a mystery). 3 a secret way of doing something, known only to a few (the mysteries of whiskey-making). | ||
| mystic | having to do with religious mysteries or secrets (mystic rites). n a person who believes that through prayer or sympathy he or she has understood, in part, the mysteries of life and the existence of God. | ||
| mystical | mystic (mystical beliefs). | ||
| mysticism | the beliefs or practices of a mystic. | ||
| mystify | to puzzle, to bewilder (mystified by his odd behavior). n mystification | ||
| mystique | a mysterious quality. | ||
| myth | 1 a story about the gods or goddesses of ancient peoples, especially one containing their beliefs about the facts of nature. 2 something that is popularly thought to be true but is not (the myth that elephants have good memories). | ||
| mythical | existing in myths or legends, imaginary (he wrote of mythical creatures such as dragons). | ||
| mythologist | a person who studies myths. | ||
| Mythology | study of myths; fables; tales (see list of branches of science) | ||
| mythology | 1 a collection of myths (in Scandinavian mythology). 2 the study of myths. adj mythological | ||
| Mythophobia | fear of myths, stories, or false statements (see list of phobias) | ||
| Myxophobia | fear of slime (see list of phobias) | ||
N
| N, n (noun) | the fourteenth letter of the alphabet. | ||
| nab (verb) | (informal) (nabbed , nabbing ) 1 to catch or capture. 2 to arrest (police nabbed the criminal). | ||
| nachos (noun) | tortilla chips spread with a mixture, such as beans, beef, peppers, onions, etc, covered with cheese, and then broiled. | ||
| nag1 (noun) | a horse, especially a small, weak, or old one (he rents out horses but they are just nags). | ||
| nag2 (verb) | (nagged , nagging ) to keep on annoying or finding fault with (his wife is always nagging him/nag the boy into getting a haircut). | ||
| nail (noun) | 1 the horny growth on the tips of the fingers or toes. 2 the claw of a bird or animal. 3 a thin piece of metal with a pointed end and a flattened head, used for joining together pieces of wood (hammer a nail into the wall to hang the picture from). vb to fasten with a nail (nail a sign to the post). | ||
| nail file (noun) | a small, flat file for smoothing and shaping the fingernails and toenails. | ||
| nail head (noun) | the flattened end of a nail. | ||
| nail set (noun) | a tool used to drive the head of a nail even with or below the wood surface. | ||
| nail-biter (noun) | a situation or activity, such as a movie or sports game, that has such an uncertain outcome that it creates a lot of anxiety and nervousness. adj nail-biting | ||
| nailbrush (noun) | a small, stiff brush for cleaning the fingernails and toenails. | ||
| naive, naïve (adjective) | 1 simple and natural, innocent (naive young girls). 2 ignorantly simple, too trustful (naive enough to believe he really was a prince). n naiveté | ||
| naked (adjective) | 1 wearing no clothes (naked when taking a bath). 2 uncovered (a naked flame). 3 plain, unconcealed (the naked truth). n nakedness | ||
| name (noun) | 1 the word by which a person or thing is known. 2 reputation (make a name for himself in the art world). vb 1 to give a name to (naming the baby Alice). 2 to speak about by name (name all the country’s presidents). adj 1 having a good reputation (a name brand). 2 carrying a name (a name tag). | ||
| nameless (adjective) | 1 unknown (a nameless poet of the twelfth century). 2 having no name (nameless graves). 3 wanting his/her name to be concealed (the giver of the money wishes to remain nameless). 4 too bad to be mentioned by name (nameless acts of cruelty). | ||
| namely (adverb) | that is to say (only one student was absent, namely Peter). | ||
| nameplate (noun) | a metal, plastic or wooden plate on which the name of a person, firm, etc, is engraved (polish the nameplate on the door). | ||
| namesake (noun) | a person with the same name as another (her niece is her namesake). | ||
| nan (noun) | a kind of flat bread of India made with white flour. | ||
| nana (noun) | a child’s term for grandmother. | ||
| nanny (noun) | a person employed to take care of children, a children’s nurse (their mother works and they have a full-time nanny). | ||
| nanny goat (noun) | a female goat. | ||
| nanogram (noun) | one billionth of a gram. | ||
| nanosecond (noun) | one billionth of a second. | ||
| Nanotechnology | study of nanite (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Naology | study of church or temple architecture (see list of branches of science) | ||
| nap1 (noun) | a short sleep, a doze (have a nap after lunch). vb (napped , napping ) to take a short sleep. caught napping taken by surprise (the police were caught napping and the bank robbers escaped). | ||
| nap2 (noun) | the woolly or hairy surface on cloth. | ||
| nape (noun) | the back part of the neck (hair cut close at the nape of the neck). | ||
| napkin (noun) | a small cloth or paper used at the table to keep the clothes clean (a tablecloth with matching napkins). | ||
| nappy | see diaper. | ||
| narcissism (noun) | too much interest in a person’s own appearance, comfort, importance, etc. adj narcissistic n narcissist a person who is like this. | ||
| narcissus (noun) | (pl narcissi ) a flower of the daffodil family, but with white petals. | ||
| narcotic (noun) | a drug that causes sleep and eases pain (addicted to narcotics such as opium). Also adj. | ||
| narrate (verb) | to tell (a story) (narrating his adventures in Africa). | ||
| narration (noun) | a story, the act of telling a story. | ||
| narrative (adjective) | 1 telling a story (a narrative poem). 2 having to do with storytelling (her narrative technique). n a story. | ||
| narrator (noun) | the teller of a story (the narrator in the book was the main character). | ||
| narrow (adjective) | 1 not broad, measuring little from side to side (a very narrow bridge narrow the street). | ||
| narrowly (adverb) | barely, only just (narrowly escape death). | ||
| narwhal (noun) | a type of whale with one large tusk. | ||
| NASA | abbreviation for National Aeronautics and Space Administration the organization in the United States that deals with space travel and exploration. | ||
| nasal (adjective) | 1 having to do with the nose (nasal infections). 2 sounded through the nose (a nasal accent). n a vowel or consonant so sounded. | ||
| Nasology | study of the nose (see list of branches of science) | ||
| nasty (adjective) | 1 unpleasant. 2 dirty. 3 disagreeable. 4 unkind. n nastiness. | ||
| natal (adjective) | (formal) having to do with birth. | ||
| nation (noun) | all the people belonging to one country and living under the same government (nations getting together to prevent war). | ||
| national (adjective) | 1 having to do with a nation (the maple leaf is the national emblem of Canada). 2 of concern to all the people in a country (national rather than local issues). | ||
| national monument (noun) | a natural feature or historic site such as a mountain, canyon, old fort, etc, that is preserved by the government for the public to visit. | ||
| national park (noun) | an area of scenic beauty or historical interest that is preserved by the government for the public to visit. | ||
| national seashore (noun) | any of the coastal areas with beaches, fishing, etc reserved by the government for public use. | ||
| nationalism (noun) | devotion to a person’s own country, excessive patriotism, the belief that national interests are more important than international interests. | ||
| nationalist (noun) | a person who has great pride in and love of his or her country and considers it superior to others. | ||
| nationality (noun) | membership of a particular nation (her nationality is French). | ||
| nationalize (verb), | also nationalise (British spelling) to transfer ownership and control of land, resources, industry, etc to the national government. | ||
| nationwide (adjective) | by or throughout the whole nation. | ||
| native (adjective) | 1 of the place where one was born (his native language). 2 belonging to a country (a native plant). n (now often considered offensive) an original inhabitant of a place. | ||
| Native American (noun) | one of the peoples, and their descendants, that originally occupied North and South America before Europeans began to settle there. Also adj. | ||
| nativity (noun) | birth, especially with reference to place, time, or conditions. the Nativity the birth of Jesus. | ||
| natural (adjective) | 1 not caused or altered by humans, occurring in nature. 2 born in a person (natural musical talents). 3 normal (natural in a boy of that age). 4 real, genuine (a natural blonde). 5 (music) neither sharp nor flat. n 1 (old) an idiot. 2 (informal) a person who is naturally good at something (as a singer he’s a natural). 3 (music) a natural note and the mark by which it is shown. | ||
| natural gas (noun) | a gas that occurs naturally and that is often used for fuel. | ||
| natural history (noun) | the study of the earth and all that grows on it. | ||
| natural resource (noun) | a form of wealth supplied by nature, such as coal, oil, water power, etc. | ||
| natural science (noun) | any of the branches of knowledge and study of nature, which includes zoology, chemistry, geology, etc. | ||
| natural selection (noun) | the process by which a kind of animal or plant will take on certain features and not others to help it adapt to its surroundings. | ||
| naturalism (noun) | 1 action or thought based on natural desires. 2 the belief that the natural world is all that exists and that there is no spiritual world dealing with creation or control. 3 the belief that all religious truth can be gotten from the natural world. | ||
| naturalist (noun) | one who studies plant and animal life (naturalists collecting wild flowers). | ||
| naturalize (verb), | also naturalise (British spelling) to accept someone as a member of a nation to which he or she does not belong by birth (he was not born in the United States but he is a naturalized US citizen). n naturalization , also naturalisation (British spelling) | ||
| naturally (adverb) | 1 in a natural way (she’s naturally beautiful and does not need make-up). 2 of course (naturally he will be paid for the work he has done). | ||
| nature (noun) | 1 all existing and happening in the universe that is not the work of humans, such as plants, animals, mountains, lakes, etc. 2 the sum of those qualities that make any creature or thing different from others (the nature of the new drug). 3 the character of a person (a sweet nature). 4 kind, sort (the nature of his injuries). | ||
| naught (noun) | (old or lit) nothing (his plans came to naught). | ||
| naughty (adjective) | mischievous, badly behaved (naughty children naw-tee-ness/. | ||
| nausea (noun) | 1 a feeling of sickness as if needing to vomit (feel nausea as the boat rocked). 2 great disgust (vegetarians filled with nausea at the thought of eating meat). | ||
| nauseate (verb) | 1 to sicken (nauseated by the smell of the rotting meat). 2 to disgust (nauseated by the terrible murder). | ||
| nauseous (adjective) | disgusting, sickening. | ||
| nautical (adjective) | having to do with the sea, sailors, or ships (a nautical way of life). | ||
| nautical mile (noun) | a unit for measuring distance at sea; about 1.2 miles, or about 6076 feet, (1.8 kilometers). | ||
| nautilus (noun) | a sea creature living in a shell that twists round in a spiral. | ||
| naval (adjective) | having to do with a navy or warships (he decided on a naval career because of his love of the sea/a naval officer). | ||
| nave1 (noun) | the main part of a church where people are seated for worship (the nave in the church is between two aisles). | ||
| nave2 (noun) | the central part of a wheel. | ||
| navel (noun) | 1 a little scar, sometimes shaped like a hollow, in the center of the belly, where the umbilical cord was attached (some women wear a jewel in their navel for decoration). 2 any centrally located part of a place. | ||
| navigable (adjective) | that can be steered; that ships can sail through (navigable waters). | ||
| navigate (verb) | 1 to steer, to sail (a ship) (they needed a pilot to help them navigate their ship into the port). 2 to work out the correct course for a ship, aircraft, etc, and direct it on that course (looking for someone to navigate in the yacht race). | ||
| navigation (noun) | 1 the science of working out the course or position of a ship, aircraft, etc. 2 act of sailing a ship. | ||
| navigator (noun) | a person who navigates (employed as a ship’s navigator). | ||
| navy (noun) | the warships of a nation, their crews, and their equipment. | ||
| navy blue (adjective) | very dark blue (a navy blue uniform). | ||
| Nazi (noun) | a political party, or one of its followers, in Germany between 1919 and 1945 that promoted nationalism, racism, and political aggression. The party was dissolved after World War II in 1945. adj referring to this time, party, belief system, etc (under Hitler, there was much suffering in Nazi Germany). Also adj. | ||
| Neanderthal (adjective) | of a form of early human being. n 1 a Neanderthal human being. 2 a crude, primitive person | ||
| Neapolitan (adjective) | 1 of Naples. 2 of various flavors and colors (Neapolitan ice cream). n 1 a person from Naples. 2 ice creams of various flavors served together, usually vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. | ||
| near (adjective) | 1 close, not distant in time or place (we didn’t bother catching a taxi as the station was near to our hotel a near accident). (preposition) close to. adv almost. vb to approach. | ||
| nearby adj, adv | near, close by (she loved visiting the nearby shops). | ||
| nearer adv, adj, (preposition) | less distant from (a planet nearer the sun than earth). | ||
| nearest adv, adj | least distant from (Mercury is nearest to the sun). | ||
| nearly (adverb) | almost (he nearly died/it’s nearly time to go). | ||
| nearsighted (adjective) | short-sighted, having better vision for near objects than for distant ones (nearsighted and unable to see numbers on buses as they approach). | ||
| neat (adjective) | 1 tidily arranged (a neat room neet-ness nee-ten/. | ||
| nebula (noun) | (pl nebulae ) a cloudy patch in the night sky, sometimes caused by a number of very distant stars. | ||
| Nebulaphobia | fear of fog (see list of phobias) | ||
| nebulous (adjective) | not clear, cloudy (plans that are rather nebulous/only a nebulous idea of the work involved). | ||
| necessary (adjective) | needed, unavoidable, that cannot be done without (take the necessary classes ne-si-se-ri-lee/. | ||
| necessitate (verb) | to make necessary (lack of money necessitated a reduction in staff). | ||
| necessity (noun) | 1 that which a person needs (have money only for the necessities of life). 2 the condition of being necessary or unavoidable (is there any necessity to employ more staff). 3 events forcing a person to act or behave in a certain way (necessity made him take a low-paid job). | ||
| neck (noun) | 1 the part of the body joining the head to the shoulders (broke his neck in the accident). 2 the narrow part near the mouth of a bottle. 3 a narrow strip of land joining two larger masses of land. neck and neck exactly level (horses neck and neck approaching the finish). | ||
| neckband (noun) | a band worn around the neck. | ||
| neckerchief (noun) | a large handkerchief or scarf worn around the neck. | ||
| necklace (noun) | a chain of gold, silver, etc, or a string of beads or jewels, worn around the neck (diamond necklaces). | ||
| neckline (noun) | the line formed by the edge of a piece of clothing around or nearest the neck. | ||
| necktie (noun) | (usually tie) a band of cloth worn around the neck, under the shirt collar, and tied in the front (wear a black necktie at the funeral). | ||
| Necrophobia | fear of death or dead things (see list of phobias) | ||
| Necroplanetology | study of the destruction of planets (see list of branches of science) | ||
| nectar (noun) | 1 in Greek legend, the drink of the gods. 2 a sweet liquid found in flowers (bees collecting nectar). 3 a delicious drink (a cup of tea seemed nectar to the tired woman). | ||
| nectarine (noun) | a type of peach with a smooth skin. | ||
| need (noun) | 1 a want (in need of food). 2 that which one requires (people with few needs). 3 poverty (families living in need). vb 1 to be in want of, to require (they need food and warm clothing/need help). 2 to have to (they will need to work harder). | ||
| needful (adjective) | necessary (take the needful steps to avoid infection). | ||
| needle (noun) | 1 used in sewing, a small, sharply pointed piece of steel with a hole for thread. 2 the very thin hollow pointed part of a syringe used to administer drugs or take blood (the nurse struggled to insert the needle in a vein). 3 a short, pointed stick used for knitting wool. 3 a small metal pointer on a dial, compass, etc. 4 the long pointed leaf of a pine tree, fir, etc (needles falling off the Christmas tree). | ||
| needlepoint (noun) | decorative sewing done with thread on canvas used for cushion covers, decorative hangings, etc. | ||
| needless (adjective) | not needed, unnecessary (inflict needless suffering on animals). | ||
| needlework (noun) | sewing done by hand with a needle such as crocheting, embroidering, knitting, etc (take needlework at school). | ||
| needy (adjective) | poor, living in want (give food to needy families). | ||
| negate (verb) | (formal) 1 to deny (negate his accuser’s statement). 2 to cause to have no effect (negating all their attempts to improve the situation). | ||
| negation (noun) | 1 a denial. 2 a saying no. | ||
| negative (adjective) | 1 saying no (a negative reply). 2 criticizing, but putting forward no alternative plan or idea (a negative report). n 1 a word, such as “no”, “not”, etc, expressing refusal or denial (answer in the negative). 2 the image on a photographic film or plate in which light seems dark and shade light. | ||
| neglect (verb) | 1 to fail to take care of (neglect their children). 2 to leave undone (neglected to mail the letter). 3 to pay no or little attention to, to give too little care to (neglect his work). n want of care or attention. | ||
| neglectful (adjective) | heedless, careless (neglectful parents). | ||
| negligee (noun) | a woman’s light, thin robe or dressing gown. | ||
| negligence (noun) | carelessness, lack of proper care (a driver accused of negligence). | ||
| negligent (adjective) | careless (negligent drivers). | ||
| negligible (adjective) | too little to bother about, unimportant (the damage to the car was negligible). | ||
| negotiable (adjective) | 1 able to be settled or changed through discussion (a negotiable salary). 2 that can be exchanged for money (a negotiable check). 3 able to be passed (icy roads scarcely negotiable). | ||
| negotiate (verb) | 1 to try to reach agreement, to bargain (management and workers negotiating over pay). 2 to arrange, usually after a long discussion (negotiate a peace treaty). 3 to obtain or give money for (negotiate a check). 4 to pass (over, through, etc) successfully (negotiate the sharp bend). n negotiation n negotiator | ||
| Negro (noun) | (pl Negroes ) (now old-fashioned and considered offensive) a person belonging to a dark-skinned race, especially from the area of Africa south of the Sahara. | ||
| neigh (noun) | the cry of a horse, a whinny. Also vb. | ||
| neighbor (noun), | also neighbour (British spelling) 1 a person living near (all the neighbors collected money to help her). 2 a person living next door (speak to her neighbor over the fence). | ||
| neighborhood (noun), | also neighbourhood (British spelling) 1 the surrounding area or district (in the neighborhood of the lake). 2 a group of people and their homes forming a small area within a larger one (live in a quiet neighborhood of the city). | ||
| neighboring adj, also neighbouring (British spelling) | close at hand, near (the neighboring town). | ||
| neighborly adj, also neighbourly (British spelling) | friendly, helpful (people in the town are very neighborly). | ||
| neither adj, pron, (conjunction) | not either. | ||
| Nelophobia | fear of glass (see list of phobias) | ||
| Nematology | study of nematodes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Neolithic (adjective) | having to do with the later Stone Age, during which people used polished stone tools, made pottery, reared stock, etc. | ||
| neon (noun) | a gas that glows brightly when electricity passes through it (neon lighting). | ||
| Neonatology | study of newborn babies (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Neopharmaphobia | fear of new drugs (see list of phobias) | ||
| Neophobia | fear of anything new (see list of phobias) | ||
| Neossology | study of nestling birds (see list of branches of science) | ||
| nephew (noun) | the son of a person’s brother or sister. | ||
| Nephology | study of clouds (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Nephophobia | fear of clouds (see list of phobias) | ||
| Nephrology | study of the kidneys (see list of branches of science) | ||
| nepotism (noun) | unjust use of a person’s power by giving good positions, etc, to relatives (he was accused of nepotism when his daughter got a job in the department that he managed). | ||
| Neptune (noun) | 1 the eighth planet from the sun. 2 in Roman mythology, the god of the sea. | ||
| nerd (noun) | a person thought of as dull, awkward, etc, especially when they are very interested in computers or schoolwork. | ||
| nerve (noun) | 1 one of the thread-like fibers along which messages pass to and from the brain (damage a nerve in his back). 2 courage (he was going to walk along a tightrope but he lost his nerve). 3 (informal) self-confidence, impudence (she had the nerve to come to the party uninvited). 4 pl excitement, nervousness (she suffered from nerves before the exam). vb to give strength. | ||
| nerveless (adjective) | without strength or feeling, feeble; calm and collected. | ||
| nervous (adjective) | easily excited or upset, timid (too nervous to stay in the house overnight by herself ner-vus-ness/. | ||
| nervous breakdown (noun) | an episode of mental illness. | ||
| nervous system (noun) | all the nerve cells and tissues in a body that controls responses and behavior. | ||
| nest | Collective noun for hornets (A nest of hornets) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| nest | Collective noun for machine guns (A nest of machine guns) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| nest | Collective noun for mice (A nest of mice) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| nest | Collective noun for vipers (A nest of vipers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| nest | Collective noun for wasps (A nest of wasps) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| nest (noun) | 1 a place built by a bird in which it lays its eggs and brings up its young. 2 the home built by certain small animals and insects (a wasp’s nest/the nest of some mice). 3 a comfortable shelter. 4 a set of things that fit one inside another (a nest of tables). vb to build a nest and live in it (birds nesting). | ||
| nest egg (noun) | 1 a sum of money put aside for future use (try to get a nest egg together for her retirement). 2 a real or fake egg put into a nest to get a hen to lay more eggs there. | ||
| nestle (verb) | 1 to lie close to (the children nestled together for warmth). 2 to settle comfortably (nestling down in the sofa to read a book). | ||
| nestling (noun) | a bird too young to leave the nest. | ||
| net1 (noun) | 1 crisscrossing strings knotted together at the crossing places. 2 an extent of this used for catching fish, animals, etc, or for many other purposes (a butterfly net/put the ball in the net). 3 a fabric made like this (net curtains). vb (netted, netting) 1 to catch in a net (net several fish). 2 to cover with a net (net the fruit trees to keep off the birds). 3 to hit or kick into a net (net the ball). | ||
| net2 (adjective) | left after one has subtracted the amount due for taxes, expenses, etc (earn $500 net per month). vb (netted , netting ) to bring in as profit (net a record annual profit). | ||
| nether (adjective) | (fml or hum) lower (the nether regions). | ||
| nethermost (adjective) | farthest down. | ||
| netherworld (noun) | the world of the dead or of punishment after death; hell. | ||
| netting (noun) | 1 material made in the form of a net (wire netting to keep the chickens in). 2 the act or process of making nets. | ||
| nettle (noun) | a weed covered with stinging hairs (stung by a nettle). vb to anger, to annoy (his remarks nettled her). | ||
| network | Collective noun for administrators (A network of administrators) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| network (noun) | 1 anything in which lines, roads, railways, etc, cross and re-cross each other. 2 a widespread organization (a radio network). | ||
| neural (adjective) | of a nerve, nerves, or the nervous system. | ||
| Neurobiology | study of anatomy of the nervous system (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Neuroeconomics | study of human decision making and the ability to process multiple alternatives and to choose an optimal course of action (see list of branches of science) | ||
| neurological (adjective) | having to do with the nerves (a neurological disorder). | ||
| Neurology | study of nervous system (see list of branches of science) | ||
| neurology (noun) | the study of the nerves. n neurologist | ||
| Neuropsychology | study of relation between brain and behaviour (see list of branches of science) | ||
| neurosis (noun) | a type of mental illness in which a person suffers from great anxiety, depression, and/or fear. | ||
| neurotic (adjective) | 1 in a nervous state, unreasonably anxious or sensitive (he was a neurotic man/the dog was behaving in a neurotic way). 2 suffering from a neurosis. | ||
| Neurypnology | study of hypnotism (see list of branches of science) | ||
| neuter (adjective) | giving no indication of gender. | ||
| neutral (adjective) | 1 not taking sides, neither for nor against, impartial (a country that was neutral in the war/require someone neutral to referee the match). 2 not strong or definite (neutral colors). n a neutral person or party. | ||
| neutrality (noun) | the state of being neutral. | ||
| neutralize, neutralise (verb) | to cause to have no effect, to make useless, to balance by an opposite action or effect (neutralize the acid). | ||
| Neutrosophy | study of the origin and nature of philosophical neutralities (see list of branches of science) | ||
| never (adverb) | at no time, not ever (because of his nut allergy, the little boy can never eat peanuts). | ||
| nevermore (adverb) | never again. | ||
| never-never land (noun) | an unreal place or situation. | ||
| nevertheless (adverb) | for all that, despite everything (he is young—nevertheless he is highly qualified). | ||
| neverthriving | Collective noun for jugglers (A neverthriving of jugglers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| new (adjective) | 1 never known before (the discovery of a new star a new car). 3 changed from an earlier state, different (a new job). n newness | ||
| new moon (noun) | the first phase of the moon when it is between the earth and the sun with its dark side facing the earth. | ||
| New Testament (noun) | the part of the Christian bible that deals with the life and teachings of Jesus. | ||
| newborn (noun) | a recently born infant. | ||
| newcomer (noun) | a person who has recently arrived (the newcomers to the club were welcomed by the older members). | ||
| newfound (adjective) | newly gained. | ||
| newly (adverb) | recently (newly laid eggs). | ||
| newlywed (noun) | a recently married person. | ||
| news (noun) | 1 information about what is going on (we have no news of the missing child). 2 an account of recent events (listen to the news on the radio). | ||
| newsletter (noun) | a printed sheet of news sent to members of a group, organization, etc (a newsletter sent to all members of staff). | ||
| newspaper (noun) | a number of printed sheets (usually issued daily) containing the latest news, articles, advertisements, etc. | ||
| newsprint (noun) | a cheap, low-grade paper used for printing newspapers. | ||
| newsreel (noun) | a film showing recent events. | ||
| newsstand (noun) | a stand at which newspapers, magazines, etc are sold. | ||
| newsy (pl newsies ) n | (informal) a person, especially a child or teenager, who sells newspapers. | ||
| newt (noun) | a small lizard-like creature that can live both on land and in water. | ||
| next (adjective) | nearest, just before or just after in time, place, degree, or rank (live in the next street/the next day). Also adv, prep, n. | ||
| next of kin (noun) | someone’s closest relative (contact the dead man’s next of kin). | ||
| next-door (adjective) | in or at the next house or building. | ||
| nib (noun) | 1 the bill or beak of a bird. 2 the point of a pen (the nib of a fountain pen). | ||
| nibble (verb) | to take small bites at (mice nibbling the cheese). Also n. | ||
| nice (adjective) | 1 pleasing (a nice day a nice sense of timing). | ||
| nicety (noun) | 1 the quality or the state of being nice. 2 exactness, precise detail (consider the niceties of the two firms joining together). 3 a very small difference (the nicety of the distinction). | ||
| niche (noun) | 1 a hollow place in a wall for a statue, etc (a niche by the staircase for the statue). 2 the work, place, or position for which a person or thing is best suited (find her niche in teaching/a niche in the market for luxury apartments). | ||
| nick (noun) | 1 the small hollow left when a piece is cut or chipped out of something, a notch (a nick in the door/a nick in his skin from shaving). vb 1 to cut notches in. in the nick of time just in time (we arrived in the nick of time to catch the train). | ||
| nickel (noun) | 1 a hard silver-white metal used for plating utensils and mixed with other metals because it does not rust (steel plated with nickel). 2 a five-cent piece. | ||
| nickel-and-dime (verb) | 1 to spend very little money. 2 to weaken, destroy, etc by the constant spending of small sums or repeated small actions against. | ||
| nickelodeon (noun) | an early-twentieth-century theater to which the admission was five cents. | ||
| nickname (noun) | a name used instead of one’s real name in friendship or mockery (William’s nickname is Bill). vb to give a nickname to. | ||
| nicotine (noun) | the toxic oily liquid from tobacco that is addictive (fingers stained with nicotine). | ||
| niece (noun) | the daughter of a person’s brother or sister. | ||
| night (noun) | the time between sunset and sunrise; darkness (animals that come out at night). Also night time | ||
| night light (noun) | a small, faint light burning all night, as in a hallway or child’s room. | ||
| night owl (noun) | 1 an owl active mostly at night. 2 a person who works at night or who generally stays up late. | ||
| night watch (noun) | a watching or guarding during the night. | ||
| night watchman (noun) | a man who looks after buildings, etc, by night (the night watchman disturbed the burglars). | ||
| nightcap (noun) | 1 a cap worn in bed. 2 a drink taken last thing at night (a glass of hot milk as a nightcap). | ||
| nightclothes (noun) | clothes worn in bed, pajamas. | ||
| nightclub (noun) | a place of entertainment open at night for eating, drinking, dancing, etc (they went to a night club after a meal in a restaurant). | ||
| nightfall (noun) | evening, the approach of darkness (insist that the children are home by nightfall). | ||
| nightgown , nightdress , nightie ) n | a loose gown worn to bed by women or girls. | ||
| nightingale (noun) | a type of small bird that sometimes sings at night. | ||
| nightly (adjective) | happening every night (listen to the nightly newscast). adv every night. | ||
| nightmare (noun) | a frightening dream (a nightmare about being attacked by sharks). | ||
| nightshirt (noun) | a long, loose-fitting, shirt worn to bed. | ||
| nightwear (noun) | nightclothes. | ||
| nil (noun) | nothing, zero (the score at the end of the football match was three-nil). | ||
| nimble (adjective) | active, quick-moving (elderly people who are still nimble nim-bul-ness/. | ||
| nimbus (noun) | (pl nimbi or nimbuses ) 1 a rain cloud. 2 the halo around the head of an angel in paintings. | ||
| nine (noun) | the number 9, coming between eight and ten. | ||
| nine ball (noun) | a kind of pool game in which the winner is the one who pockets the nine ball. | ||
| nineteen (noun) | the number 19, coming between eighteen and twenty. | ||
| nineteenth (adjective) | 19th, coming after eighteen others. n one of nineteen equal parts. | ||
| nine-to-five (adjective) | of or referring to the time between 9 am and 5 pm, the period of business hours on a weekday. | ||
| ninety (noun) | the number between eighty-nine and ninety-one. adj ninetieth | ||
| ninja (noun) | a Japanese warrior that is highly trained a spy and killer. | ||
| ninth (adjective) | 1 preceded by eight others in a series. 2 any of the nine equal parts of something. | ||
| nip (verb) | (nipped , nipping ) 1 to pinch (nip the child’s arm). 2 to bite (the dog nipped him on the ankle). 3 to stop the growth (fruit trees nipped by frost). nip in the bud to destroy at an early stage (nip the conspiracy in the bud). n 1 a pinch (he gave the other child a nip). 2 severe frost or cold (a nip in the air). 3 a small drink (he had a nip of whisky). | ||
| nipple (noun) | 1 the point of the breast (a baby sucking at its mother’ s nipple during breast-feeding). 2 anything so shaped. 3 a rubber stopper with a small hole in it through which liquid may pass; a teat. | ||
| nippy (adjective) | 1 cold in a stinging way. 2 able to move very quickly. | ||
| nirvana (noun) | 1 in Buddhism, the state of being perfectly blessed after death and taken into the supreme spirit. 2 complete peace and happiness. 3 in Hinduism, a blowing out of the flame of life through reunion with Brahma, the god of creation. | ||
| nit (noun) | a young louse or the egg of a louse or other small insect (she found nits in her child’s hair). | ||
| nitpick (verb) | to find fault with someone or something in a manner that is finicky or minor. | ||
| nitrogen (noun) | a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that makes up about four-fifths of the air. adj nitrogenous | ||
| nitroglycerin (noun) | an explosive. | ||
| nitty gritty (noun) | the basic or most important details of something (we must get down to the nitty gritty of the traffic problem). | ||
| nitwit (noun) | a foolish, stupid, or silly person (he was such a nitwit to buy a second-hand car without testing it). | ||
| no (adverb) | not ever; the opposite of yes; it cannot be so. | ||
| no man’s land (noun) | 1 land that belongs to no one (a piece of no man’s land between the two farms). 2 land lying between two opposing armies (the soldier was shot crossing no man’s land). | ||
| nobility (noun) | 1 goodness of character. 2 the class of nobles of a country (a member of the nobility). | ||
| noble (adjective) | 1 fine in character, honorable (of noble character). 2 of high rank (people of noble birth). 3 stately (of noble carriage). n a person of high rank. adv nobly | ||
| nobleman (noun) | a man in the noble class. | ||
| noblewoman (noun) | a woman in the noble class. | ||
| nobody (noun) | 1 no one (she was warned to tell nobody about the secret). 2 (informal) a person of no importance (she’s just a nobody in the firm but she tries to order everyone around). | ||
| no-brainer (noun) | (informal) something so obvious or simple as to require little thought. | ||
| Noctiphobia | fear of the night (see list of phobias) | ||
| nocturnal (adjective) | 1 (formal) happening at night (a nocturnal visitor). 2 active by night (nocturnal animals, such as bats). | ||
| nocturne (noun) | 1 a dreamy piece of music. 2 a painting of a night scene. | ||
| nocuous (adjective) | harmful, poisonous. | ||
| nod (verb) | (nodded , nodding ) 1 to bow the head slightly (she nodded in agreement/he nodded to his neighbor as he passed). 2 to let the head drop forward in tiredness (old ladies nodding by the fire). n a slight bow of the head. | ||
| nodal (adjective) | of or like a node. | ||
| node (noun) | 1 the place where a leaf joins the stem. 2 the point at which a curve crosses itself. 3 a swelling or a roundish lump, as on a tree trunk or a person’s body (lymph nodes). | ||
| nodule (noun) | a small rounded lump. adj nodular | ||
| Noël (noun) | Christmas. | ||
| no-hitter (noun) | a baseball game in which the pitcher allows the other team no base hits. | ||
| noise (noun) | 1 a sound (the noise made by a fire truck). 2 loud or unpleasant sounds, din (complain about the noise from the party). vb (fml or old) to make public (noising the news of his dismissal). adj noisy | ||
| noiseless (adjective) | not making any sound. | ||
| noisemaker (noun) | a person or thing that makes noise, especially for a celebration. | ||
| nomad (noun) | 1 a wanderer. 2 a member of a group of people who have no permanent home but move around constantly in search of food, pastures, etc. | ||
| nomadic (adjective) | wandering (nomadic peoples). | ||
| Nomatophobia | fear of names (see list of phobias) | ||
| nominal (adjective) | 1 existing in name but not in reality (her father is the nominal head of the firm but she runs it). 2 having to do with a noun or nouns. 3 very small compared to others (charge his son a nominal amount of money for the car). | ||
| nominate (verb) | 1 to put forward another’s name for a certain office (nominating him for captain). 2 to appoint (nominated her brother as her representative). n nomination | ||
| nominative (adjective) | 1 having the name of a person on it. 2 in grammar, of or in the case of the subject of a verb. | ||
| nominee (noun) | a person who is nominated (several nominees for the office of president). | ||
| Nomology | study of the laws; especially of the mind (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Nomophobia | fear of being out of mobile phone coverage (see list of phobias) | ||
| non- pref | not, the opposite of, used to give a negative meaning to a word. | ||
| nonagenarian (noun) | a person who is ninety years old or between ninety and one hundred. | ||
| nonchalant (adjective) | calm, unexcited, showing little interest, cool, without warmth or concern (nonchalant about the idea of going into battle). n nonchalance | ||
| nondescript (adjective) | not easily described, not very interesting (wear nondescript clothes). | ||
| none (pronoun) | not one, not anyone, no persons or things. | ||
| nonentity (noun) | a person of no importance, a person of little ability or character (she considered the party to be full of nonentities and left early). | ||
| nonesuch (noun) | a person or thing unequalled. | ||
| nonetheless (adverb) | in spite of that, nevertheless. | ||
| nonexistence (noun) | the condition of not existing. | ||
| nonflammable (adjective) | not likely to catch fire or burn easily (nonflammable nightwear for children). | ||
| no-no (noun) | (informal) something that is forbidden or unwise to do. | ||
| no-nonsense (adjective) | practical and serious. | ||
| nonplus (verb) | (nonplussed , nonplussing ) to puzzle completely, to leave speechless (we were nonplussed by her strange behavior). | ||
| nonsense (noun) | foolish or meaningless words, ideas, etc (talk nonsense/it was nonsense to accuse him of lying). | ||
| nonsensical (adjective) | meaningless, absurd (a nonsensical thing to do). | ||
| nonstop (adjective/adverb) | without any stop or pause (nonstop pop music). | ||
| noodle (noun) | a long thin strip of pasta used especially in Chinese or Italian cooking, often eaten with sauce or soup (chicken soup with noodles). | ||
| nook (noun) | 1 a corner (a nook by the fire). 2 an out-of-the-way place (shady nooks). | ||
| Noology | study of the intellect (see list of branches of science) | ||
| noon (noun) | twelve pm, midday (lunch at noon). | ||
| noose (noun) | a cord or rope with a loop at one end fastened by a running knot (throw a noose round the ball to catch it/hang him with a noose). vb to catch in a noose. | ||
| Nootka (noun) | the Native American people living on Vancouver Island, the language of these people. | ||
| nope adv, interj | no, a negative reply. | ||
| nor (conjunction) | and not, or not (I can neither go nor stay). | ||
| norm (noun) | the usual rule, an example or standard with which others may be compared (his height is below the norm for his age/wage increases above the national norm). | ||
| normal (adjective) | usual, according to what is expected, average (normal body temperature his normal routine). n normality | ||
| normalize (verb), | also normalise (British spelling) to make normal. | ||
| north , northern , northerly (adjective) | 1 having to do with the north. 2 of or from the north (a northern accent/a north wind). | ||
| north (noun) | 1 one of the chief points of the compass. 2 (often cap) the northern part of the country. 3 the northern regions of the world. | ||
| North Pole (noun) | the northernmost part of the earth, in the middle of the Arctic regions. | ||
| northbound (adjective) | traveling north (the northbound train). | ||
| northeast (noun) | and adj the point of the compass halfway between north and east. adj northeastern | ||
| northeastward (adjective/adverb) | toward the northeast. | ||
| northern (adjective) | in, of, to, toward, or facing the north. | ||
| Northern Lights (noun, plural) | bright rays of colored light sometimes seen in the region of the North Pole (the proper name for the Northern Lights is the Aurora Borealis). | ||
| northerner (noun) | (often cap) a person living in or coming from the north (Northerners moving south to find work). | ||
| northernmost (adjective) | farthest to the north (the northernmost part of America). | ||
| northward (adverb) | toward the north (trains traveling northward). | ||
| northwest (noun) | the point of the compass halfway between north and west. Also adj. | ||
| northwestern (adjective) | in, of, to, toward, or facing the northwest. | ||
| northwestward adv, adj | toward the northwest. | ||
| nose (noun) | 1 the part of the face between the eyes and mouth that allows people and animals to breathe and smell (a boxer with a broken nose). 2 a sense of smell (dogs with good noses). 3 the part that juts out in the front of anything (the nose of an airplane). vb 1 to smell. 2 to find by smell (the dog nosed out the drugs). 3 to look or search around in (nosing about in her neighbor’s shed). 4 to discover by searching (reporters nosing out the details of the scandal). 5 to move slowly (the car nosed out into the traffic). | ||
| nose dive (noun) | 1 a nose-first dive earthwards by an airplane. 2 a sudden and great fall or drop (house prices took a nose dive). vb to take a nose dive. | ||
| nose ring (noun) | 1 a metal ring passed through the nose of an animal for leading it about. 2 a ring worn in the nose as a piece of jewelry. | ||
| nosebleed (noun) | a bleeding from the nose. | ||
| Nosemaphobia | fear of becoming ill (see list of phobias) | ||
| nosepiece (noun) | that part of a helmet that covers and protects the nose. | ||
| Nosocomephobia | fear of hospitals (see list of phobias) | ||
| Nosology | study of diseases (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Nosophobia | fear of contracting a disease or becoming ill (see list of phobias) | ||
| nostalgia (noun) | a longing or feeling of fondness for things past (music that fills him with nostalgia for his native land). adj nostalgic | ||
| Nostology | study of senility (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Nostophobia | fear of returning home (see list of phobias) | ||
| nostril (noun) | one of the two openings of the nose. | ||
| nosy (adjective) | (informal) curious about the affairs of others (nosey neighbors). | ||
| not (adverb) | in no manner; to no degree. | ||
| notable (adjective) | worthy of notice, deserving to be remembered (notable events of the year no-ta-bi-li-tee/. | ||
| Notaphily | collection of bank-notes and cheques (see list of hobbies) | ||
| notation (noun) | a set of signs or symbols that stand for letters, numbers, notes in music, etc. | ||
| notch (noun) | a small V-shaped cut (cut a notch on the stick to mark the child’s height). vb to make a notch in. | ||
| note (noun) | 1 a short letter (write them a note to thank them). 2 a short written account of what is said or done (taking notes at the committee meeting). 3 a written explanation (a note at the foot of the page). 4 a single musical sound or the sign standing for it. 5 fame, good reputation (politicians of note). 6 a piece of paper money. vb 1 to put down in writing (the policeman noted the details of the accident). 2 to take notice of (they noted a change in his behavior). | ||
| notebook (noun) | a book into which notes may be written. | ||
| noted (adjective) | famous, well known (noted actors). | ||
| notepad (noun) | a small pad of paper. | ||
| notepaper (noun) | paper for writing notes or letters on (notepaper with matching envelopes). | ||
| noteworthy (adjective) | deserving to be noticed or remembered (nothing noteworthy occurred). | ||
| nothing (noun) | 1 no thing, not anything (absolutely nothing in the cupboard). 2 a thing of no importance (her friendship is nothing to him). | ||
| notice (noun) | 1 a written or printed announcement (a notice on the wall forbidding smoking). 2 warning (change the rules without notice). 3 attention (he took no notice of the warning). 4 advance information (receive notice about a meeting). vb 1 to pay attention to. 2 to see. adj noticeable. | ||
| notify (verb) | to inform, to make known (notified the police about the accident). n notification | ||
| notion (noun) | 1 idea, opinion, view (old-fashioned notions about what is women’s work). 2 a sudden desire (he had a notion to go to the seaside for the day). | ||
| notoriety (noun) | bad reputation. | ||
| notorious (adjective) | well known for something bad (a notorious criminal/a notorious accident spot). | ||
| notoriously (adverb) | as is well known for something bad (a notoriously inefficient firm). | ||
| nougat (noun) | a white chewy candy containing chopped nuts, cherries, etc. | ||
| noun (noun) | in grammar, a word that names a person, place, quality, or thing. | ||
| nourish (verb) | 1 to feed, to give what is needed to grow or stay healthy (foods that will nourish the children/well-nourished babies). 2 to support or encourage; to foster (nourish resentment against his rival). | ||
| nourishment (noun) | food, especially food of value to health (little nourishment in fast foods). | ||
| nova (noun) | a type of star that suddenly increases in brightness and then decreases in brightness over time. | ||
| novel (adjective) | new and often of an unusual kind (a novel suggestion/a novel way of dealing with the problem). n a long story of which all or some of the events are imaginary (she writes novels for a living). | ||
| novelist (noun) | a person who writes novels. | ||
| novelty (noun) | 1 newness, the quality of being novel (the novelty of the idea). 2 a new or unusual thing (it was a novelty for him to take a holiday). 3 an unusual, small, cheap object (Christmas novelties). | ||
| November (noun) | the eleventh month of the year, following October (Thanksgiving is in November). | ||
| Novercaphobia | fear of your step-mother (see list of phobias) | ||
| novice (noun) | 1 a beginner (just a novice at skiing). 2 a person who has newly joined a religious order but has not yet taken vows (the novices in the convent). | ||
| novitiate (noun) | 1 the time spent as a novice (the novitiate of the nun). 2 a novice. | ||
| now (noun) | 1 at the present time (she is living in London now). 2 at once (Go now!). | ||
| nowadays (adverb) | in modern times (nowadays the rate of unemployment is high). | ||
| nowhere (adverb) | in no place (he was nowhere to be seen). | ||
| noxious (adjective) | (formal) harmful, hurtful (noxious fumes). | ||
| nozzle (noun) | a spout or pipe fitted on to the end of a hose, etc, to direct the liquid (the nozzle of the garden hose). | ||
| nuance (noun) | a slight difference in meaning, color, etc (fail to appreciate the nuances in the arguments). | ||
| nub (noun) | the most important point (the nub of the problem). | ||
| nuclear (adjective) | having to do with the atomic nucleus (nuclear power stations). | ||
| nuclear bomb (noun) | an atomic bomb or a hydrogen bomb, capable of destroying a large area. | ||
| nuclear energy (noun) | the energy in an atomic nucleus. | ||
| nuclear family (noun) | a basic family unit consisting of parents and their children living in one household. | ||
| nuclear physics (noun) | the science of the forces within the nucleus of the atom. | ||
| nuclear reactor (noun) | a machine for producing atomic energy. | ||
| Nucleomituphobia | fear of nuclear weapons (see list of phobias) | ||
| nucleus | Collective noun for physicists (A nucleus of physicists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| nucleus (noun) | (pl nuclei) 1 the central part of an atom, seed, etc. 2 the central part of anything around which the rest grows up (the nucleus of the library). | ||
| nude (adjective) | naked, wearing no clothes (a nude model for the artist). n a naked person (a painting of a nude). | ||
| nudge (verb) | to push with the elbow (nudging the child to warn him to keep quiet). Also n. | ||
| nudist (noun) | a person who believes that it is healthy to wear no clothes (a nudist colony). | ||
| nudity (noun) | nakedness (object to the nudity of the characters in the play). | ||
| Nudophobia | fear of nudity (see list of phobias) | ||
| nugget (noun) | a lump, as of gold, silver, etc. | ||
| nuisance (noun) | a person, action, or thing that annoys. | ||
| null adj. | null and void having no legal force (a contract declared null and void by the court). | ||
| numb (adjective) | unable to feel (fingers numb with cold numbed by the break-up of her marriage). adj numbing | ||
| number | Collective noun for mathematicians (A number of mathematicians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| number | Collective noun for questions (A number of questions) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| number | Collective noun for statisticians (A number of statisticians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| number (noun) | 1 a word or sign that tells how many (a phone number). 2 a collection of several (persons, things, etc) (a small number of viewers). 3 a single copy of a magazine, etc, printed at a particular time; an issue (the current number of the magazine). 4 a piece of popular music or a popular song usually forming part of a longer performance (one of the numbers on her latest album). vb 1 (formal) to reach as a total (the spectators numbered a thousand). 2 to give a number to (number the pages). 3 to include (he is numbered among our greatest scientists). | ||
| numerable (adjective) | that can be numbered or counted. | ||
| numeral (noun) | a word or figure standing for a number (Roman numerals). | ||
| numerate (verb) | (formal) to count. adj able to do arithmetic and mathematics (people who are scarcely numerate). n numeration | ||
| numerator (noun) | in fractions, the number above the line, which tells how many parts there are. | ||
| numerical (adjective) | having to do with numbers (numerical information/in numerical order). | ||
| Numerology | study of numbers (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Numerophobia | fear of numbers (see list of phobias) | ||
| numerous (adjective) | many (numerous reasons for leaving). | ||
| Numismatics | study of coins (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Numismatics | collection of coins/currency (see list of hobbies) | ||
| nun (noun) | a woman who joins a convent and vows to devote her life to the service of God. | ||
| nunnery (noun) | a convent, a house for nuns. | ||
| nuptial (adjective) | (formal) having to do with marriage (a nuptial ceremony). npl nuptials a marriage. | ||
| nurdle | a small pellet of plastic | ||
| nurse (noun) | a person trained to look after the young, sick, or aged (a hospital nurse). vb 1 to look after as a nurse (nurse the patient). 2 to give milk from the breast, to suckle (mothers nursing babies). 3 to look after with great care (nurse his tomato plants). 4 to keep in existence (nurse hopes of success). | ||
| nursemaid (noun) | a woman hired to take care of a child or children. | ||
| nursery | Collective noun for plants (A nursery of plants) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| nursery (noun) | 1 a room in a house for children to sleep or play in. 2 a place where young children are looked after (she takes the child to a nursery before she goes to work). 3 a place where young plants are grown for sale (buy tomato plants from the local nursery). | ||
| nursery rhyme (noun) | a short, rhymed poem for children. | ||
| nursery school (noun) | a school for young children of preschool age. | ||
| nursing (noun) | the duties of or care given by a nurse. | ||
| nursing home (noun) | a small private hospital for invalids, sick people, or old people unable to take care of themselves. | ||
| nurture (noun) | care and training (nurture of children by their parents). vb 1 to care for (parents nurturing children). 2 to help to grow or develop (nurture ideas of independence). | ||
| nut (noun) | 1 a fruit with a hard outer shell and an edible kernel inside it (crack the nut). 2 the edible kernel (put nuts in the cake). 3 a screw that is turned on to one end of a bolt to fasten it. in a nutshell in a few words. | ||
| nutcracker (noun) | an instrument for cracking nuts. | ||
| nutmeg (noun) | the hard seed of a certain kind of tree, used as a spice in cooking (add grated nutmeg to the sauce). | ||
| nutrient (noun) | a substance in food that is good for the body. | ||
| nutriment (noun) | food needed for life and growth (soil low in nutriments for the plants). | ||
| nutrition (noun) | 1 food, nourishment (poor standards of nutrition). 2 the process of giving or getting food (in charge of the children’s nutrition). | ||
| nutritious (adjective) | good for the health of the body (nutritious food/a nutritious diet). | ||
| nuzzle (verb) | 1 to push or rub with the nose (a horse nuzzling its owner). 2 to press close up to (she nuzzled her head against his shoulder). | ||
| Nyctohylophobia | fear of dark wooded areas or of forests at night (see list of phobias) | ||
| Nyctophobia | fear of the darkness or of night (see list of phobias) | ||
| nylon (noun) | 1 a human-made fiber for thread or cloth (shirts made of nylon). 2 a stocking made from this (a pair of nylons). | ||
| nymph (noun) | in legend, a goddess of forests, rivers, trees, etc. | ||
| Nymphology | study of nymphs (see list of branches of science) | ||
O
| O, o (noun) | the fifteenth letter of the alphabet. | ||
| o’clock (adverb) | according to the clock (the movie starts at eight o’clock). | ||
| o’er (preposition) | (lit) over. | ||
| oaf (noun) | a stupid or clumsy person (the oaf painted the wrong door). | ||
| oak (noun) | a hardwood tree that bears acorns. | ||
| oar (noun) | a pole with a flat broad end, used for rowing a boat (he lost one of the oars). | ||
| oarlock (noun) | a U-shaped device on the side of a boat for keeping an oar in place. | ||
| oarsman (noun) | a rower (the oarsmen in the boat race). n oarsmanship | ||
| oasis (noun) | (pl oases ) a place in the desert where there is water and trees and plants grow. | ||
| oat (noun), oats (noun, plural) | a grain often used for food. | ||
| oatcake (noun) | a thin cake made of oatmeal (serve oatcakes with cheese). | ||
| oath (noun) | 1 a solemn promise, especially one made in God’s name (take the oath in court). 2 a swear word (object to his oaths in front of children). | ||
| oatmeal (noun) | oats ground to powder (take some oatmeal to make porridge). | ||
| obedient (adjective) | willing to do what you are told (obedient children/followers obedient to their leader). n obedience. | ||
| obeisance | Collective noun for servants (An obeisance of servants) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| obelisk (noun) | a tall four-sided stone monument, narrowing to a point at its top. | ||
| obese (adjective) | (formal) very fat. n obesity | ||
| Obesophobia | fear of gaining weight (see list of phobias) | ||
| obey (verb) | 1 to do what you are told (when her mother tells her to do something, she obeys). 2 to carry out (obey instructions). | ||
| obituary (noun) | 1 a list of deaths. 2 a newspaper account of the life of a person who has recently died (an obituary of the famous poet). | ||
| object (noun) | 1 anything that can be perceived by the senses. 2 aim, purpose (his object is to make money quickly). 3 in grammar, a word governed by a verb or preposition. vb object 1 to express dislike. 2 to speak against. | ||
| objection (noun) | a reason against (raise objections against the proposed new road). | ||
| objectionable (adjective) | deserving to be disliked, unpleasant (a really objectionable young man). | ||
| objective (adjective) | not depending on, or influenced by, personal opinions (judges have to be objective). n aim, purpose (his objective is a job that he will enjoy). adv objectively | ||
| objector (noun) | a person who objects (objectors to the new road scheme). | ||
| obligation (noun) | 1 a duty, a promise that must be kept (he is under an obligation to support his children). 2 gratitude due to another for kindness or help. | ||
| obligatory (adjective) | that has to be done (e.g. as a duty), compulsory (attendance at the meeting is obligatory). | ||
| oblige (verb) | 1 (formal) to force or make it necessary to do (she was obliged to stop working because of ill health). 2 to do a kindness to or service for (could you oblige us by lending us your lawnmower?). | ||
| obliging (adjective) | ready to help, kind (obliging neighbors). | ||
| oblique (adjective) | 1 slanting (an oblique line). 2 indirect, roundabout (an oblique reference to his dishonesty). | ||
| obliterate (verb) | 1 to destroy utterly (a town obliterated by enemy bombs). 2 to blot out (snow obliterating the footprints in the mud). n obliteration | ||
| oblivion (noun) | 1 the state of being unaware, forgetfulness (in total oblivion of what had happened). 2 the state of being forgotten (he used to be famous but after his death his name sank into oblivion). | ||
| oblivious (adjective) | unaware of, not paying attention to (completely oblivious to what was happening around him). | ||
| oblong (noun) | 1 a four-sided figure with all angles right angles and one pair of sides longer than the other pair. 2 a figure or object so shaped. adj having this shape. | ||
| obnoxious (adjective) | very unpleasant, hateful (obnoxious people/obnoxious smells). | ||
| oboe (noun) | a wooden wind instrument. n oboist | ||
| obscene (adjective) | disgusting, indecent (obscene passages in the film had to be removed). adv obscenely n obscenity | ||
| obscure (adjective) | 1 (formal) dark (an obscure corner of the room). 2 not clear in meaning (an obscure reference to an earlier work). 3 not well-known, not famous (an obscure poet). vb 1 to darken. 2 to hide from view. 3 to make more difficult. | ||
| obscurity (noun) | the state of being obscure (a once-famous poet now in obscurity). | ||
| observance | Collective noun for hermits (An observance of hermits) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| observance (noun) | 1 the act of observing (the observance of religious holidays). 2 the act of obeying (the observance of the law). | ||
| observant (adjective) | quick to notice things (not observant enough to take the license number of the car). | ||
| observation (noun) | 1 the act, power, or habit of observing (the police officer’s observation of the criminal’s activities). 2 a remark (he made the observation that things were going badly for the President). | ||
| observatory (noun) | a place from which scientists study the stars, the planets, and the heavens. | ||
| observe (verb) | 1 (formal) to see, to notice (observe a change in the weather). 2 to watch carefully (police told to observe the movements of the accused). 3 to carry out (observing local customs). 4 to say, to make a remark (he observed that the weather was mild for the time of year). | ||
| observer (noun) | 1 a person who observes. 2 a person whose job it is to take careful notice of what is going on. | ||
| obsess (verb) | to take up all your thoughts and interest (obsessed by her rival’s activities). adj obsessive | ||
| obsession (noun) | an idea or interest that takes up all your attention so that you never think of other things. | ||
| obsolete (adjective) | no longer in use, out of date (obsolete computer). | ||
| obstacle (noun) | that which is in the way and prevents progress (lack of money was an obstacle to the firm’s plans for expansion). | ||
| obstacle race (noun) | a race in which the runners have to find their way under, over, or through certain objects placed on the course to hinder them. | ||
| Obstetrics | study of midwifery (see list of branches of science) | ||
| obstinate (adjective) | 1 determined to hold to your own opinions, etc; stubborn. 2 not easy to cure or remove (an obstinate stain). n obstinacy | ||
| obstruct (verb) | 1 to stop up. 2 to prevent from moving or acting freely. | ||
| obstruction (noun) | 1 a cause of delay. 2 an obstacle. | ||
| obstructive (adjective) | causing delay (obstructive tactics). | ||
| obtain (verb) | to get (interested in obtaining a share of the business). | ||
| obtainable (adjective) | that can be gotten (goods that are no longer obtainable). | ||
| obtuse (adjective) | 1 stupid, slow to understand (they accused him of being deliberately obtuse in not understanding the instructions). 2 (of an angle) greater than a right angle. | ||
| obvious (adjective) | easily seen or understood (an obvious solution to the problem). adv obviously | ||
| occasion (noun) | 1 a particular time (decide not to complain on this occasion). 2 a special event (the wedding was the occasion of the year for the family). 3 (formal) a reason (no occasion to be angry). 4 (formal) opportunity (if the occasion arises). vb to cause. | ||
| occasional (adjective) | 1 happening now and then (pay the occasional visit). 2 having to do with a particular event or occasion (occasional poems). adv occasionally | ||
| occult (adjective) | secret, mysterious, having to do with magic (occult powers/occult ceremonies). | ||
| occupancy (noun) | 1 act of going to live in a house (their occupancy of the new house). 2 the time during which you live there (an occupancy of five years). | ||
| occupant , occupier (noun) | the person living in a house (owner-occupiers). | ||
| occupation (noun) | 1 act of occupying (their occupation of the house oc-yu-pay-shnal/. | ||
| occupy (verb) | 1 to take possession of (a town occupied by the enemy). 2 to live in (he occupies the whole house). 3 to fill (occupying an important post). 4 to keep busy (she keeps herself occupied by doing voluntary work). 5 to take up (space, time, etc) (his collection of model trains occupies a whole room). | ||
| occur (verb) | (occurred , occurring ) 1 to happen (accidents occurring). 2 to come to the mind (it suddenly occurred to me who he was). 3 to be found here and there. | ||
| occurrence (noun) | a happening, an event (a daily occurrence). | ||
| ocean (noun) | 1 the vast body of salt water surrounding the land on the earth (on land or in the ocean). 2 a large sea (the Pacific Ocean). adj oceanic | ||
| Oceanography | study of oceans (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Oceanology | study of oceans (see list of branches of science) | ||
| ocelot (noun) | a spotted wildcat from southwestern United States, Central America and parts of South America. | ||
| Ochlophobia | fear of crowds or mobs (see list of phobias) | ||
| Ochophobia | fear of vehicles (see list of phobias) | ||
| octagon (noun) | a figure or shape with eight angles and sides. | ||
| octagonal (adjective) | eight-sided. | ||
| octave (noun) | 1 (music) a scale of eight notes beginning and ending with a note of the same tone but a different pitch. 2 a stanza of eight lines. | ||
| octet (noun) | a piece of music for eight singers or instruments. | ||
| October (noun) | the tenth month of the year, following September (Hallowe’en is October 31). | ||
| octogenarian (noun) | a person who is 80 years old or between 80 and 90. | ||
| Octophobia | fear of the figure 8 (see list of phobias) | ||
| octopus (noun) | a sea creature with eight tentacles. | ||
| odd (adjective) | 1 (of a number) not even, that cannot be divided by 2 without leaving a remainder of 1 (9 is an odd number). 2 strange, unusual (an odd character od-lee/. | ||
| oddity (noun) | something strange or unusual, a strange person (he’s a bit of an oddity). | ||
| oddment (noun) | a piece left over (oddments of material). | ||
| odds (noun, plural) | the chances in favor of a certain happening or result (the odds are that he will win). at odds with on bad terms with (two branches of the firm at odds with each other). make no odds make no difference (it makes no odds how many people come—we have plenty of room). odds and ends extra pieces or things of various kinds (go shopping for some odds and ends). | ||
| ode (noun) | a poem in which the writer expresses his or her ideas or feelings on a certain subject at some length (Keats’s “Ode to Autumn”). | ||
| odious (adjective) | hateful, disgusting (an odious smell/an odious man). | ||
| odium (noun) | (formal) hatred, widespread dislike or blame (bring odium on his family). | ||
| Odonatology | study of dragonflies and damselflies (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Odontology | study of teeth (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Odontophobia | fear of teeth or dental surgery (see list of phobias) | ||
| odor (noun), | also odour (British spelling) any smell, pleasant or unpleasant (the odor of a fish in the boat). | ||
| odorless adj, also odourless (British spelling) | having no smell (odorless face creams). | ||
| odorous (adjective) | having a smell, especially a characteristic one (the odorous smell of lilies). | ||
| Odynephobia | fear of pain (see list of phobias) | ||
| Odynophobia | fear of pain (see list of phobias) | ||
| odyssey | Collective noun for luggage (An odyssey of luggage) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| odyssey (noun) | (lit) a long adventurous journey. | ||
| Oenology | study of wines (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Oenophobia | fear of wines (see list of phobias) | ||
| oesophagus | see esophagus. | ||
| of prep1 | belonging to (the shore of the lake). 2 relating to (a tale of the Wild West). 3 made of (a band of gold). 4 from (south of the border). | ||
| off (adverb) | 1 away (they drove off). 2 distant (a few miles off). adj 1 not happening (the match is off). 2 (informal) not fit to eat, bad, rotten (this meat is off). (preposition) away from, not on (keep off the grass/take your foot off the table. | ||
| offal (noun) | the inner organs of an animal, sold as food or regarded as waste matter (offal such as heart and liver). | ||
| offence | see offense | ||
| offend (verb) | 1 to displease, to hurt someone’s feelings (she was offended at not being asked to their party). 2 (formal) to do wrong (offend against society). 3 to be unpleasant or disagreeable (his bad language offended her). | ||
| offender (noun) | 1 a person who does wrong (a first offender who was not sent to prison). 2 a person who causes offense. | ||
| offense (noun), | also offence (British spelling) 1 a wrongful act (it’s an offense to drive in the dark without lights). 2 hurt done to the feelings, a feeling that you have been insulted (a remark that gave offense to his family). 3 those players in a sports team whose job is to score goals. | ||
| offensive (adjective) | 1 unpleasant (an offensive smell/an offensive person). 2 insulting (an offensive remark). 3 having to do with attack (offensive weapons). n an attack (the army took the offensive). | ||
| offer (verb) | 1 to give someone the chance of taking (offer him a job). 2 to say that you are willing (to do something) (to offer to help). 3 to give as a sacrifice (offer a lamb to God). n 1 act of offering. 2 the thing or amount offered (an offer of $250,000 for their house). | ||
| offering (noun) | 1 (fml or hum) a gift (a humble offering). 2 (old) that which is sacrificed to God. 3 a sum of money given at a religious service, used for the work of the church. | ||
| offhand (adjective) | careless, thoughtless (his offhand treatment of others). | ||
| office (noun) | 1 a special duty. 2 a job, especially one in the service of the public (the office of mayor/the political party in office). 3 a room or building in which business is carried on (the head office of the company). 4 (formal) an act of kindness (thanks to his good offices). | ||
| officer (noun) | a person who holds a post with certain powers or duties, especially in the armed forces (an army officer). | ||
| official (adjective) | 1 having to do with an office or the duties attached to it (his official tasks). 2 given out or announced by those with the right to do so (receive official permission). n a person who holds a post with certain powers or duties. adv officially | ||
| officialdom (noun) | 1 all those holding public office. 2 an unbending attitude of holding to regulations and routine (thanks to officialdom, her visa took weeks to come through). | ||
| off-peak (adjective) | happening when, for example, the city is less busy (buy an off-peak travel ticket). | ||
| off-putting (adjective) | discouraging. | ||
| offset (verb) | (offset, offsetting) to make up for (her enthusiasm offsets her lack of training). | ||
| offshoot (noun) | 1 a branch or shoot growing out from the main stem of a plant. 2 something growing out of something else (the firm is an offshoot of a large business). | ||
| offshore (adjective) | toward the sea. adv offshore. | ||
| offside (adverb) | and adj in soccer or hockey, in a position disallowed by the rules when the ball was last kicked or struck. | ||
| offspring (noun) | a child or children (the couple have badly behaved offspring). | ||
| often (adverb) | frequently (we often see them). | ||
| ogle | Collective noun for office boys (An ogle of office boys) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| ogle (verb) | to look sidewise at, to look or stare at because of admiration or physical attraction. | ||
| ogre (noun) | in fairy tales, a man-eating giant. f ogress | ||
| ohm (noun) | the unit of measurement of electrical resistance. | ||
| Oikology | study of housekeeping (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Oikophobia | fear of home surroundings and household appliances (see list of phobias) | ||
| oil (noun) | a greasy liquid obtained from vegetable, animal, or mineral sources, and used as a food, fuel, lubricant, etc (put more oil in the car engine oilz/ oil paints or painting (a portrait in oils). vb to put or drop oil on, as on the parts of a machine, to make them work smoothly (oil the hinges of the gate). | ||
| oil painting (noun) | a picture done in oils (an oil painting of their house). | ||
| oilskin (noun) | a cloth made waterproof with oil. | ||
| oily (adjective) | 1 covered with oil (oily hands). 2 greasy (oily food). | ||
| ointment (noun) | an oily paste rubbed on the skin to heal cuts or sores. | ||
| OK (adverb) | and adj (informal) all right. | ||
| old (adjective) | 1 not new (old clothing). 2 aged (old people). 3 belonging to the past (old customs). 4 not fresh (old bread). | ||
| olden (adjective) | of former times (in the olden days). | ||
| old-fashioned (adjective) | out of date (old-fashioned clothing). | ||
| Olfactology | study of the sense of smell (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Olfactophobia | fear of smells (see list of phobias) | ||
| olive (noun) | 1 an evergreen tree bearing a small, sharp-tasting fruit, from which oil can be obtained. 2 its fruit, used as food (olives stuffed with peppers). adj yellowish-green. n olive oil. | ||
| olive branch (noun) | a sign of peace (we hadn’t spoken to our neighbors for years but we decided to hold out an olive branch to them). | ||
| olive-skinned (adjective) | having a yellowish-brown skin (olive-skinned people). | ||
| Olympic (adjective) | having to do with Olympia in Greece, and the games held there every four years in ancient times. | ||
| Olympic Games (noun) | an international athletic contest held every four years, each time in a different country. | ||
| Ombrology | study of rain (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ombrophobia | fear of rain or of being rained on (see list of phobias) | ||
| omelet (noun), | also omelette eggs beaten and fried in a pan. | ||
| omen (noun) | a sign of a future event, good or bad (clouds are an omen of bad weather). | ||
| ominous (adjective) | signifying future trouble or disaster (ominous black clouds). | ||
| omit (verb) | (omitted , omitting ) 1 to fail to do (omit to post the letters). 2 to leave out (omit a few passages from the report). n omission | ||
| omitting | Collective noun for censors (An omitting of censors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Ommatophobia | fear of eyes (see list of phobias) | ||
| Ommetaphobia | fear of eyes (see list of phobias) | ||
| omnibus (noun) | 1 (formal) a bus. 2 a book containing several works by the same author or on the same subject (an omnibus edition of the crime writer’s works). | ||
| omnivorous (adjective) | (fml or hum) eating all kinds of food (omnivorous animals). | ||
| Omphalophobia | fear of belly buttons (see list of phobias) | ||
| on (adverb) | 1 being worn (put your shoes on). 2 forward (they walked on). adj in operation (the TV is on). (preposition) on top of (on the table). | ||
| once (adverb) | 1 on one occasion only (I met him only once). 2 formerly (they were friends once). once and for all once and never again (they told her once and for all to go). at once immediately (I shall come at once). | ||
| Oncology | study of tumours (see list of branches of science) | ||
| oncoming (adjective) | approaching (oncoming traffic). | ||
| one (adjective) | single. pron a person. n the number 1. | ||
| Oneirogmophobia | fear of wet dreams (see list of phobias) | ||
| Oneirology | study of dreams (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Oneirophobia | fear of dreams (see list of phobias) | ||
| one-sided (adjective) | favoring one party or point of view only (giving a one-sided version of events). | ||
| one-way (adjective) | of a street, allowing movement of traffic in one direction only. | ||
| ongoing (adjective) | continuing, continuing to develop (an ongoing process). | ||
| onion (noun) | a strong-smelling edible bulb, often used in cooking. | ||
| online (adjective/adverb) | controlled by or connected to a central computer or connected to the Internet. | ||
| onlooker (noun) | a spectator, a person who looks at what is happening but takes no part in it (police asked the onlookers to move from the scene of the accident). | ||
| only (adverb) | no more than (only two days). (conjunction) except that (I would love to take a vacation, only I can’t afford it). | ||
| only child (noun) | a person who has no brothers or sisters. | ||
| Onomasiology | study of nomenclature (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Onomastics | study of proper names (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Onomatophobia | fear of hearing a certain word or of names (see list of phobias) | ||
| onomatopoeia (noun) | forming words by imitating sounds (e.g. hiss, bang). adj onomatopoeic | ||
| onrush (noun) | a rapid advance (the onrush of the protesting demonstrators). | ||
| onset (noun) | the first attack of or the beginning of (the onset of the illness). | ||
| onshore (adjective) | toward the shore. adv onshore | ||
| onslaught (noun) | a fierce attack (try to withstand the enemy onslaught/a politician making an onslaught on the government). | ||
| Ontology | study of pure being; the nature of things (see list of branches of science) | ||
| onward (adjective) | forward. adv onward | ||
| onyx (noun) | a precious stone containing layers of different colors. | ||
| Oology | study of eggs (see list of branches of science) | ||
| ooze | Collective noun for amoebas (An ooze of amoebas) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| ooze (noun) | soft mud, slime. vb 1 to flow very slowly (blood oozing from the wound). 2 to have flowing from (a wound oozing pus). | ||
| opacity | see opaque. | ||
| opal (noun) | a white precious stone that changes color when turned in the light. | ||
| opaque (adjective) | that cannot be seen through, letting no light through (opaque glass). n opacity | ||
| open (adjective) | 1 not shut, uncovered (an open gate). 2 ready for business (the stores are open). 3 not hidden (an open show of affection). 4 free from obstructions (the road is open now). 5 public (an open meeting). 6 sincere (an open manner). 7 clear. vb 1 to make or become open (open the door). 2 to unlock (open the safe). 3 to begin (open the meeting). in the open air outside. keep open house to welcome all visitors. open up to build roads, etc, in a country to make progress possible. | ||
| open-handed (adjective) | (formal) generous (an open-handed host). | ||
| opening (noun) | 1 beginning (the opening of the fête). 2 a gap, a way in or out (an opening in the fence). 3 an opportunity (job openings). | ||
| openly (adverb) | publicly, not secretly (discuss the matter openly). | ||
| open-minded (adjective) | ready to consider new ideas, unprejudiced. | ||
| opera | Collective noun for canaries (An opera of canaries) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| opera glasses (noun, plural) | glasses used in the theater to magnify the stage and players. | ||
| opera1 (noun) | a musical drama in which all or some of the words are sung (operas by Wagner). | ||
| opera2 | see opus. | ||
| operate (verb) | 1 (of a machine) to work or to cause to work (machines operated by hand). 2 (of a surgeon) to cut the body in order to cure or treat a diseased part (operating to remove her appendix). | ||
| operatic (adjective) | having to do with opera (operatic tenors). | ||
| operating system (noun) | the software that controls the operation of a computer. | ||
| operation (noun) | 1 action (a rescue operation/a plan now in operation). 2 the way a thing works (the operation of the machine). 3 the cutting of the body by a doctor or surgeon to cure or treat a diseased or injured part (an operation to remove tonsils). | ||
| operative (adjective) | 1 in action. 2 having effect. n a worker in a factory. | ||
| operator (noun) | a person who looks after a machine (the elevator operator). | ||
| operetta (noun) | a short, not too serious, musical play (an operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan). | ||
| Ophidiophobia | fear of snakes (see list of phobias) | ||
| Ophiology | study of snakes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| ophthalmic (adjective) | having to do with the eye(s). | ||
| Ophthalmology | study of eye diseases (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Ophthalmophobia | fear of being stared at (see list of phobias) | ||
| opinion (noun) | 1 that which you think or believe about something (listen to the opinions of others). 2 judgment (too ill to work, in the doctor’s opinion). | ||
| opinionated , opinionative (adjective) | sure that your opinions are correct (an opinionated young woman who refuses to listen to the advice of others). | ||
| Opiophobia | fear of prescribing (opioid) medication to patients (see list of phobias) | ||
| opium (noun) | a sleep-producing drug made from poppy seeds. | ||
| opossum (noun) | a small animal that carries its young in a pouch. | ||
| opponent (noun) | an enemy, a person whom you try to overcome in a game, argument, etc (his opponent in the tennis match). | ||
| opportune (adjective) | happening at the right time (arrive at the opportune moment). | ||
| opportunist (noun) | a person who takes advantage of opportunities that occur). adj opportunistic. | ||
| opportunity (noun) | happening at the right time (arrive at the opportune moment). | ||
| oppose (verb) | 1 to act or speak against (opposing the bill in Parliament). 2 to resist (oppose change). | ||
| opposite (adjective) | 1 facing (the house opposite). 2 in the same position on the other side. 3 different in every way (have opposite tastes in music/go in opposite directions). n something in every way different (“good” is the opposite of “bad”). adv across from. | ||
| opposition (noun) | 1 the act of going or speaking against, resistance (their opposition to the new road). 2 (often cap) in politics, the party that criticizes or resists the governing party (leader of the Opposition). | ||
| oppress (verb) | 1 to govern harshly or unjustly, to treat cruelly (a tyrant who oppressed the people). 2 to make gloomy or anxious (oppressed by news of the war). n oppression | ||
| oppressive (adjective) | 1 harsh and unjust (an oppressive form of government). 2 (of the weather) hot and tiring. | ||
| opt (verb) | to choose (I opted for the rack of lamb). opt out to choose not to do something. | ||
| optic , optical (adjective) | having to do with sight or the eye(s). | ||
| optician (noun) | a person who makes or sells glasses for the eyes (an appointment at the optician’s for an eye test). | ||
| Optics | study of light (see list of branches of science) | ||
| optics (noun) | the science of light or sight. | ||
| optimal (adjective) | best (the optimal time). | ||
| optimism | Collective noun for youths (An optimism of youths) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| optimism (noun) | the belief that all that happens is for the best, cheerful hope that all will go well (they were full of optimism although we thought they had little chance of success). | ||
| optimist (noun) | a cheerfully hopeful person. | ||
| optimistic (adjective) | having to do with or characterized by optimism (optimistic people op-ti-mi-sti-clee/. | ||
| optimum (adjective) | and n best. | ||
| option (noun) | choice (no option but to go). | ||
| optional (adjective) | that may or may be done or not, by choice (some school subjects are optional). | ||
| Optology | study of sight (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Optophobia | fear of opening one’s eyes (see list of phobias) | ||
| opulence (noun) | (formal) riches, wealth (the opulence of the king). | ||
| opulent (adjective) | (formal) rich, wealthy. | ||
| opus (noun) | (pl opuses or opera ) 1 (formal) a work of art (the latest opus of the author). 2 a musical work numbered in order of composition (Beethoven’s opus 106). | ||
| or (conjunction) | used to link alternatives (would you like milk or OJ?) | ||
| oracle (noun) | 1 in legend, the answer given to a question by or on behalf of a god. 2 the place where such answers were given. 3 a person who answers on behalf of a god. 4 (often hum) a wise or knowledgeable person (she is the oracle on company law in the office). | ||
| oral (adjective) | spoken, not written (an oral exam). adv orally | ||
| orange (noun) | 1 a juicy fruit with a reddish-yellow skin (peel the rind from an orange). 2 the tree bearing it. 3 its color, reddish-yellow. adj of orange color. | ||
| orangutan (noun) | a large man-like ape with long arms. | ||
| oration (noun) | (formal) a formal public speech (a funeral oration). | ||
| orator (noun) | a skilled public speaker (an eloquent orator). | ||
| orb (noun) | (lit) a sphere, a round object. | ||
| orbit | Collective noun for ophthalmologists (An orbit of ophthalmologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| orbit | Collective noun for satellites (An orbit of satellites) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| orbit (noun) | the curved path of a planet, comet, rocket, etc, around a larger heavenly body (a satellite in orbit around the earth). adj orbital | ||
| orchard | Collective noun for apple trees (An orchard of apple trees) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| orchard | Collective noun for fruit trees (An orchard of fruit trees) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| orchard (noun) | a field in which fruit trees are grown (an apple orchard). | ||
| orchestra | Collective noun for crickets (An orchestra of crickets) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| orchestra (noun) | 1 a group of musicians skilled in different instruments who play together (she plays the flute in the orchestra). 2 the place where they sit in a hall or theater. | ||
| orchestral (adjective) | suitable for performance by an orchestra (orchestral music). | ||
| orchestrate (verb) | 1 to arrange for an orchestra (orchestrating the music). 2 to organize or arrange (orchestrate the campaign). n orchestration | ||
| orchid (noun) | a showy flower with unusually shaped petals. | ||
| Orchidology | study of orchids (see list of branches of science) | ||
| ordain (verb) | 1 (formal) to order (prisoners freed as the king ordained). 2 to admit to office as a priest or minister of religion. | ||
| ordeal (noun) | a difficult, painful experience (being taken hostage was a terrible ordeal). | ||
| order (noun) | 1 a methodical arrangement (put the books in order). 2 a command (obey the officer’s order). 3 rank, class (the various orders of plants). 4 obedience to law (law and order). 5 tidiness (lack of order in the room). 6 an instruction to make or supply something (an order for books). 7 a body or brotherhood of people of the same rank, profession, etc; a religious brotherhood obeying a certain rule (an order of monks). vb 1 to arrange (order the book alphabetically). 2 to command (order them to leave). 3 to give an instruction to make or supply (orders books from them). | ||
| orderly (adjective) | 1 tidy, well-arranged (an orderly room). 2 well-behaved (an orderly group of children). n 1 a soldier who carries the orders and messages of an officer. 2 a hospital attendant. | ||
| ordinal (adjective) | showing the place in an order (first, second, third, etc, are ordinal numbers). | ||
| ordinance (noun) | (formal) a law, a command (obey the king’s ordinance). | ||
| ordinary (adjective) | usual, common, not exceptional (an ordinary working day). adv ordinarily | ||
| ordination (noun) | the act or ceremony of admitting to office as a priest or minister of religion. | ||
| ore (noun) | rock from which metal is obtained (iron ore). | ||
| oregano (noun) | the dried leaves of the herb marjoram, used in cooking. | ||
| organ (noun) | 1 part of an animal or plant that serves some special purpose (the respiratory organs). 2 a large musical instrument supplied with wind through pipes and played by a keyboard (play the church organ). 3 a means of conveying views or information to the public (e.g. a newspaper) (the organ of the political party). | ||
| organic (adjective) | 1 having to do with an organ (an organic disorder). 2 produced by living organs (organic compounds). 3 grown without the use of artificial fertilizers (organic vegetables). adv organically | ||
| organism (noun) | 1 any living thing (all the organisms in a pond). 2 anything in which the parts all work together to serve one purpose. | ||
| organist (noun) | a person who plays the organ. | ||
| organization (noun) | also organisation (British spelling) 1 orderly arrangement (try to establish some organization in the office system). 2 a group of people working systematically to carry out a common purpose (a business organization). adj organizational , also organisational (British spelling) | ||
| organize (verb), | also organise (British spelling) 1 to put together in an orderly way, to make to work systematically (organizing the office filing system). 2 to arrange (organize a party). n organizer , also organiser (British spelling) | ||
| Organology (biology) | study of form, structure, development, and functions of plant or animal organs (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Organology (musicology) | study of musical instruments in relation to history, culture, construction, acoustic properties and classification (see list of branches of science) | ||
| orgy | Collective noun for swingers (An orgy of swingers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| orgy (noun) | a wild or drunken feast (have an orgy while his parents are away). | ||
| Orient (noun) | the East. | ||
| orient (verb) | to orientate. | ||
| oriental (adjective) | Eastern, Asian. n a native of an Eastern or Asian country. | ||
| Orientalist (noun) | a person who studies Eastern languages. | ||
| orientate (verb) | 1 to find out north, south, east, and west from the point where you are standing (the climbers were lost in the mist and tried to orientate themselves). 2 to arrange or direct toward (a course orientated to adult learners). n orientation | ||
| orienteering (noun) | the sport of following a route on foot as quickly as possible, using a map and compass. | ||
| orifice (noun) | (formal) an opening (bodily orifices). | ||
| origami (noun) | the Japanese art of paper-folding. | ||
| origin (noun) | 1 the place or point at which a thing begins; the beginning (the origin of the river/the origin of the word). 2 the cause (the origin of his problem). | ||
| original (adjective) | 1 new, not thought of before (an original idea). 2 first in order (the original inhabitants of the country). 3 ready to think or act in a new way (an original thinker). 4 not copied (an original painting). n 1 an original work of art, etc. 2 a creative or eccentric person. adv originally | ||
| originality (noun) | the ability to think or act in a new way. | ||
| originate (verb) | 1 to bring into being (originating a new club). 2 to come into being (a sport that originated in China). | ||
| oriole (noun) | a bird with golden-yellow feathers. | ||
| ornament (noun) | that which decorates or makes more attractive. vb ornament to decorate. n ornamentation | ||
| ornamental (adjective) | decorative (fireplaces that are purely ornamental). | ||
| ornate (adjective) | with a great deal of ornament, richly decorated (ornate furniture). | ||
| Ornithology | study of birds (see list of branches of science) | ||
| ornithology (noun) | the study of birds. n ornithologist (noun) a person who studies birds (ornithologists going on a bird-watching trip). | ||
| Ornithophobia | fear of birds (see list of phobias) | ||
| Orology | study of mountains (see list of branches of science) | ||
| orphan (noun) | a child whose parents are dead (made an orphan by the plane crash). vb to cause to become an orphan. Also adj. | ||
| orphanage (noun) | a home for orphans. | ||
| orthodontist (noun) | a dentist who straightens teeth. | ||
| orthodox (adjective) | 1 having the same beliefs or opinions as most other people (orthodox people). 2 agreeing with accepted belief (orthodox views). n orthodoxy | ||
| Orthoepy | study of correct pronunciation (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Orthography | study of spelling (see list of branches of science) | ||
| orthopedic adj, also orthopaedic (British spelling) | having to do with injury or diseases of the bones or joints (an orthopedic surgeon). | ||
| Orthophobia | fear of property (see list of phobias) | ||
| Orthopterology | study of cockroaches (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Oryctology | study of fossils , minerals , and rocks (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Osmics | study of smells (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Osmology | study of smells and olfactory processes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Osmophobia | fear of smells or odors (see list of phobias) | ||
| Osphresiology | study of the sense of smell (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Osphresiophobia | fear of smells or odors (see list of phobias) | ||
| osprey (noun) | a hawk that feeds on fish. | ||
| ostensible (adjective) | as far as can be seen, apparent (his ostensible reason for leaving). adv ostensibly | ||
| ostentatious (adjective) | showy, fond of display (an ostentatious wedding despite their lack of money). | ||
| Osteology | study of bones (see list of branches of science) | ||
| osteopath (noun) | a person who practices osteopathy (he attended an osteopath for his backache). | ||
| osteopathy (noun) | the cure of pain or disease by massage or otherwise manipulating the bones. | ||
| ostracize (verb), | also ostracise (British spelling) to drive out of society; to refuse to have anything to do with (workers ostracizing people who worked during the strike). n ostracism | ||
| Ostraconophobia | fear of shellfish (see list of phobias) | ||
| ostrich (noun) | a large swift-running bird valued for its feathers. | ||
| other (adjective) | 1 one of two things (the other hand). 2 additional (we have other problems). 3 not mentioned, present, etc (other people). | ||
| otherwise (adverb) | 1 in a different way (they think otherwise). 2 if this were not so (you must pay—otherwise they will sue you). | ||
| Otology | study of the ear (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Otorhinolaryngology | study of ear, nose and throat (see list of branches of science) | ||
| otter (noun) | a fish-eating animal of the weasel family. | ||
| ottoman (noun) | a sofa without back or arms. | ||
| ought (verb) | should (she ought to see a doctor). | ||
| ounce (noun) | 1 in the imperial system, a unit of weight (1/16 of a pound). 2 a small amount (she has not an ounce of common sense). | ||
| our (adjective) | belonging to us. pron (possessive) ours , ourselves | ||
| Ouranophobia | fear of heaven (see list of phobias) | ||
| oust (verb) | to put out; to drive out (ousted from his post). | ||
| out (adverb) | 1 not inside (the children are out in the garden). 2 away (he was told to get out). (preposition) out of, out through, outside. adj 1 external. 2 asleep or unconscious (out to the world). | ||
| out of date (adjective) | old-fashioned (his car was very out of date/she wore out-of-date clothing). | ||
| out-and-out (adjective) | thorough (an out-and-out villain). | ||
| outback | Collective noun for Aussies (An outback of Aussies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| outback (noun) | a remote area of Australia with very few inhabitants. | ||
| outbid (verb) | to offer a higher price than another (she outbid him for the antique furniture). | ||
| outboard (adjective) | attached to the outside of a boat (an outboard motor). | ||
| outbreak (noun) | a sudden beginning, a breaking out (the outbreak of war). | ||
| outburst (noun) | a bursting out, an explosion (an outburst of applause/an outburst of anger). | ||
| outcast (adjective) | driven away from your home and friends. n a person who is so driven away (an outcast from society). | ||
| outcome (noun) | the result (the outcome of the discussion). | ||
| outcrop (noun) | a layer of rock that shows above the surface of the earth. | ||
| outcry (noun) | widespread complaint (there was an outcry at the closure of the bridge). | ||
| outdated (adjective) | old-fashioned, out of date (outdated ideas about child care). | ||
| outdo (verb) | to do better than (his rival tried to outdo him in giving her expensive presents). | ||
| outdoor (adjective) | done in the open air (an outdoor display). | ||
| outdoors (adverb) | in the open air (have lunch outdoors). Also n. | ||
| outer (adjective) | 1 farther out (outer space). 2 outside (the outer layer of clothing). | ||
| outer space (noun) | space beyond the earth’s atmosphere. | ||
| outermost (adjective) | farthest out (the outermost ring of a target). | ||
| outfield (noun) | the part of a baseball field that extends outward from the diamond. n outfielder | ||
| outfit (noun) | 1 all the articles necessary for a certain job (a bicycle repair outfit). 2 a set of articles of clothing (buy a new outfit for the wedding). | ||
| outgoings (noun, plural) | the money spent (their outgoings came to more than their income). | ||
| outgrow (verb) | 1 to grow taller than (he has outgrown his elder brother). 2 to grow too big or too old for (children outgrowing their clothing). | ||
| outing (noun) | a short trip made for pleasure (take the children on an outing to the shore). | ||
| outlast (verb) | to last longer than. | ||
| outlaw (noun) | (old) someone whose person and property are no longer protected by the law (Billy the Kid was an outlaw). vb 1 to declare an outlaw. 2 to declare not legal (the authorities want to outlaw drinking and driving). | ||
| outlet (noun) | 1 an opening outward (an outlet from the main water tank). 2 an activity that allows you to make use of your powers or of a particular ability (playing in the youth orchestra was an outlet for his musical talent). | ||
| outline (noun) | 1 a line showing the shape of a thing (she tried to draw an outline of the building). 2 an account of the most important points, etc. vb 1 to draw in outline. 2 to describe without giving details (at the meeting the directors outlined the company’s plans for expansion). | ||
| outlive (verb) | to live longer than (he outlived his son). | ||
| outlook (noun) | 1 a view (a house with a beautiful outlook). 2 what seems likely to happen in future (the financial outlook for the firm is not good). 3 a point of view (a gloomy outlook on life). | ||
| outmoded (adjective) | out of fashion (outmoded ideas). | ||
| outnumber (verb) | to be greater in number than (the children outnumbered the adults). | ||
| outpatient (noun) | a person who visits a hospital for treatment but does not stay there overnight (he attended the hospital as an outpatient). | ||
| outpost (noun) | 1 a defended place close to enemy territory and in front of the main positions. 2 a settlement far from towns and main roads (the last outpost of civilization). | ||
| output (noun) | the total amount produced by a machine, factory, worker, etc (increase output by 10%). | ||
| outrage (noun) | 1 a violent and wicked deed (outrages committed by enemy soldiers). 2 a deed that shocks or causes widespread anger (he regarded the decision to cut workers’ wages as an outrage). vb 1 to cause anger or resentment. 2 to seriously offend or insult. adj outrageous | ||
| outrider (noun) | person who rides on horseback or on a motorcycle beside or in front of a vehicle (he traveled by car with police outriders). | ||
| outright (adverb) | 1 completely and at once (they paid for the furniture outright/kill him outright). 2 openly, frankly (tell me outright what you feel). adj complete (an outright refusal). | ||
| outrun (verb) | to run faster than (outrun the other horses in the race). | ||
| outset (noun) | beginning (realized the plan was a failure from the outset). | ||
| outside (noun) | 1 the outer part or parts (the outside of the orange). 2 the part farthest from the center (standing on the outside of the group). adj 1 being on the outside, external (outside help). 2 outdoor (an outside hot tub). 3 slight (an outside chance). adv on or to the outside. (preposition) on or to the exterior of, beyond. | ||
| outsider (noun) | 1 a person who is not accepted as a member of a certain group (still regarded as an outsider by the family although she is married to one of the sons). 2 a person who is believed to have little chance of winning (a horse regarded as an outsider won the race). | ||
| outskirts (noun, plural) | the parts of a town or city farthest from the center (live on the outskirts of the city). | ||
| outsmart (verb) | to outwit someone (the fox outsmarted the hunters). | ||
| outspoken (adjective) | saying just what you think, frank (outspoken people stating their objections). | ||
| outstanding (adjective) | 1 exceptionally good (an outstanding student/an outstanding performance). 2 (formal) still in existence (outstanding debts). | ||
| outward (adjective) | 1 on the outside or surface (her outward cheerfulness). 2 away from a place (the outward journey). adv outward, outwardly | ||
| outwit (verb) | to outdo or overcome by greater cleverness, to deceive (succeed in outwitting the police). | ||
| ova | see ovum. | ||
| oval (adjective) | egg-shaped (an oval face). n an oval shape or figure. | ||
| ovary (noun) | 1 a bodily organ in which eggs are formed (a woman’s ovaries). 2 the seed case of a plant. | ||
| ovation (noun) | enthusiastic applause (a standing ovation). | ||
| oven (noun) | a small chamber heated by a fire or stove and used for cooking (an electric oven). | ||
| over (preposition) | 1 above (a picture over the mantel). 2 across (jump over the wall). 3 more than (over three miles). adv 1 above (planes flying over). 2 across (water boiling over). 3 from one side to the other or another (roll over). 4 more than the quantity assigned (food left over). 5 completed (it’s all over). 6 from beginning to end (think it over). | ||
| overalls (noun, plural) | a garment worn over your usual clothing to keep it clean (workers wearing overalls). | ||
| overawe (verb) | to frighten into obeying or being silent, to fill with silent respect (children overawed by the great man). | ||
| overbalance (verb) | 1 to lean too much in one direction and fall (the tightrope walker overbalanced). 2 to cause to fall in this way. | ||
| overbearing (adjective) | proud and commanding (overbearing people who try to bully others). | ||
| overboard (adverb) | over the side of a ship (fall overboard). | ||
| overcast (adjective) | clouded over (an overcast sky). | ||
| overcharge | Collective noun for repairmen (An overcharge of repairmen) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| overcharge (verb) | to ask for too great a price (he was overcharging customers). | ||
| overcoat (noun) | a warm outer garment (wear an overcoat over his suit). | ||
| overcome (verb) | 1 to defeat (overcome the enemy). 2 to get the better of (overcome difficulties). | ||
| overdo (verb) | 1 to do too much (the invalid was told not to overdo it). 2 to cook for too long (overdo the steak). | ||
| overdose (noun) | too large a dose (take an overdose of the drug, intending to commit suicide). Also vb. | ||
| overdraft (noun) | the amount of money drawn from a bank in excess of what is available in an account (try to pay off their overdraft). | ||
| overdraw (verb) | to take more from a bank than you have in your account (overdraw his account). | ||
| overdress (verb) | to dress too well for the occasion (she felt overdressed since everyone else was wearing jeans and sweaters). | ||
| overdue (adjective) | after the time fixed or due. | ||
| overestimate (verb) | to set too high a value on (overestimating their ability). | ||
| overexpose (verb) | to expose a photographic film to too much light. | ||
| overflow (verb) | to flood, to flow over the edge or limits of (the river overflowed its banks). n 1 what flows over the sides (a pipe for the overflow). 2 the amount by which something is too much (another hall for the overflow of the audience). | ||
| overgrown (adjective) | grown beyond the normal size. | ||
| overhand (adjective) | something done with your arm raised above your shoulder (an overhand pitch). | ||
| overhaul (verb) | 1 to examine thoroughly and carry out necessary repairs (overhauling the car engine). 2 to catch up (overhaul the other runners). n overhaul | ||
| overhead (adjective/adverb) | in the sky, above (overhead cables). | ||
| overheads (noun, plural) | the costs of running a business (the overheads are too expensive). | ||
| overhear (verb) | to hear what you are not intended to hear (overhear his parents’ conversation). | ||
| overjoyed (adjective) | extremely happy. | ||
| overland (adverb) | across land (not sea) (journey overland). adj passing by land. | ||
| overlap (verb) | to cover partly and go beyond (tiles overlapping). | ||
| overleaf (adverb) | on the reverse side of a page (turn overleaf). | ||
| overload (verb) | to put too heavy a load on. | ||
| overlook (verb) | 1 to look down on from above (balconies overlooking the sea). 2 to forgive, to let off without punishment (overlook the children’s naughtiness). 3 not to notice, to miss (defects that are easily overlooked). | ||
| overnight (adverb) | during the night (have to stay overnight after the party). adj done in or lasting the night (an overnight journey). | ||
| overpower (verb) | to defeat by greater strength (succeed in overpowering the burglar). | ||
| overpowering (adjective) | too great to bear (an overpowering urge to scream). | ||
| overrate (verb) | to think a person or thing better than he, she, or it really is (he thinks the artist is overrated). | ||
| override (verb) | 1 to decide to pay no attention to (override their objections). 2 to take manual control of a system usually under automatic control. | ||
| overrule (verb) | to use your power to rule out the decision or judgment of another (the appeal court judge overruled the previous judgment). | ||
| overrun (verb) | 1 to spread over in large numbers (rats overran the building). 2 to continue beyond the expected time (the show overran). | ||
| overseas (adjective/adverb) | across the sea; abroad (go overseas to work). | ||
| oversee (verb) | (pt oversaw , pp overseen ) to direct the work of others (oversee production). n overseer | ||
| overshadow (verb) | 1 to make less happy (the threat of war overshadowed their celebrations). 2 to make seem less important (her achievements were overshadowed by those of her sister). | ||
| overshoot (verb) | (pt, pp overshot ) to go beyond before stopping (the plane overshot the runway). | ||
| oversight (noun) | a mistake, a failure to do something (their failure to invite her was an oversight). | ||
| oversleep (verb) | (pt, pp overslept )to sleep later than intended. | ||
| overstep (verb) | to go beyond the limits of (she overstepped her authority when she sent everyone home). | ||
| overt (adjective) | done or said openly, not hidden (their overt dislike of him). adv overtly | ||
| overtake (verb) | to catch up with and pass (the car overtook the truck). | ||
| overthrow (verb) | to defeat, to remove from power (overthrow the government). Also n. | ||
| overtime (noun) | time worked beyond the regular hours (be paid extra for overtime). Also adj and adv. | ||
| overture (noun) | 1 a proposal, an offer. 2 the music played by the orchestra before an opera, etc. | ||
| overturn (verb) | 1 to turn upside down (overturn the bucket). 2 to make fall, to defeat, to ruin. | ||
| overweight (adjective) | weighing more than the proper amount. n excess weight. | ||
| overwhelm (verb) | 1 to defeat utterly (overwhelm the enemy). 2 to overcome all your powers, to make feel helpless (overwhelmed by the volume of work). adj overwhelming adv overwhelmingly | ||
| overwork (verb) | to work too hard (many students tend to overwork for their exams). n too much work. | ||
| ovoid (adjective) | egg-shaped. | ||
| ovum (noun) | (pl ova ) an egg. | ||
| owe (verb) | 1 to be in debt to (owe his brother $100). 2 to be obliged to (someone), to feel grateful to (owe his parents a lot). owing to because of (canceled owing to bad weather). | ||
| owl (noun) | a night bird of prey. | ||
| owlet (noun) | a young owl. | ||
| own (adjective) | belonging to yourself. vb 1 to possess (they own a car). 2 (formal) to admit (she owned that she was guilty). n owner n ownership | ||
| ox (noun) | (pl oxen ) a bull or cow). npl oxen cattle. | ||
| oxidation (noun) | compounding with oxygen. | ||
| oxide (noun) | a compound of oxygen with another element. | ||
| oxidize, oxidise (verb) | to make unite with oxygen. | ||
| oxygen (noun) | a gas without color, taste, or smell that is present in air and water, and is necessary for all life. | ||
| oxygenate , oxygenize , also oxygenise (British spelling) vb | to mix with oxygen. | ||
| oxymoron (noun) | a figure of speech in which an adjective seems to contradict the noun it accompanies (e.g. busy idler). | ||
| oyster (noun) | an edible shellfish with a double shell in which pearls are sometimes found (oysters and champagne). | ||
| oyster-catcher (noun) | a bird of the seashore. | ||
| ozone (noun) | 1 a kind of colorless gas with a chlorine-like smell. 2 (informal) clean, bracing air as found beside the sea. | ||
| ozone layer (noun) | a layer of ozone in the stratosphere that absorbs ultraviolet rays from the sun. | ||
P
| P, p (noun) | the sixteenth letter of the alphabet. | ||
| p.m. | abbreviation for post meridiem a Latin phrase meaning “after noon”. | ||
| pace (noun) | 1 a step with the foot. 2 the distance so covered. 3 speed. vb 1 to walk slowly. 2 to measure by steps. | ||
| pacification (noun) | act of bringing peace. | ||
| pacifier (noun) | a rubber teat given to babies to suck on (some people think pacifiers are a good thing, others disagree). Also dummy (British spelling) | ||
| pacifism (noun) | the belief that war is never right. | ||
| pacifist (noun) | someone who works for the end of all war (pacifists who refused to join the armed services). | ||
| pacify (verb) | 1 to restore peace, to end a war in. 2 to calm, to soothe (pacified the crying baby). | ||
| pack | Collective noun for dogs (A pack of dogs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pack | Collective noun for hounds (A pack of hounds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pack | Collective noun for juice (A pack of juice) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pack | Collective noun for perch (A pack of perch) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pack | Collective noun for rats (A pack of rats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pack | Collective noun for stoats (A pack of stoats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pack | Collective noun for submarines (A pack of submarines) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pack | Collective noun for suitcases (A pack of suitcases) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pack | Collective noun for wolves (A pack of wolves) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pack (noun) | 1 a bundle of things fastened or strapped together (the pack on the hiker’s back). 2 a set of playing cards. 3 individual items grouped together into one package (a pack of cigarettes). 4 a number of animals acting or hunting together (a pack of hounds). 5 a gang (a pack of thieves). 6 a mass of floating pieces of ice. vb 1 to make into a bundle, to put things into a case, etc (pack for their vacation/pack their clothes). 2 to fill. 3 to fill to overflowing (pack the hall). 4 to fill with a person’s own supporters (pack the jury). | ||
| pack animal (noun) | an animal used for carrying loads (a pack horse). | ||
| package (noun) | 1 a wrapped and sealed container, along with its contents (a package of cookies). 2 a parcel, a bundle (packages delivered by mail). | ||
| packaging (noun) | the materials in which objects are wrapped before they are put on sale. | ||
| packet | Collective noun for lollies (A packet of lollies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| packet (noun) | 1 a small parcel (a packet containing a watch). 2 a mail boat. | ||
| pack-ice (noun) | a mass of floating pieces of ice. | ||
| packing (noun) | the paper, cardboard, etc, used to protect goods being delivered (unwrap the china and throw away the packing). | ||
| pact (noun) | an agreement (sign a peace pact). | ||
| pad1 (noun) | 1 a small cushion (kneel on a pad to scrub the floor). 2 soft material used to protect or to alter shape (shoulder pads). 3 sheets of paper fixed together (note pads). 4 the soft flesh on the foot of certain animals (a dog’s pad). vb (padded, padding) 1 to fill out with soft material (pad the shoulders of the coat). 2 to make longer with unnecessary words (having little to say, she padded out the essay as much as possible). | ||
| pad2 (verb) | to walk steadily and usually softly (children padded down the hall in their slippers). | ||
| padding (noun) | 1 soft material used for stuffing or filling out. 2 words, sentences, etc, put in merely to make something longer. | ||
| paddle (noun) | a short oar with a broad blade, sometimes at each end. vb 1 to row with a paddle (paddle the boat downstream). 2 to walk in water with bare feet (children paddling at the seaside). | ||
| paddle steamer (noun) | a steamer driven by two large wheels turning in the water to make it move. | ||
| paddock (noun) | 1 a small enclosed field (the paddock for the pony near the house). 2 an enclosure in which horses are assembled before a race (the jockeys mounted their horses in the paddock). | ||
| paddy field (noun) | a flooded field in which rice is grown (paddy fields can be built into steep hillsides as terraces). | ||
| padlock (noun) | a metal locking device that closes over two rings and thus fastens something (the padlock on the gate). vb to close with a padlock (padlock the trunk). | ||
| Paedology | study of children (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pagan (noun) | 1 someone who is not Christian, Jewish or Muslim 2 someone who worships many gods. 3 someone who has no religion; heathen (modern paganism is sometimes described as a nature religion). n paganism | ||
| page1 (noun) | 1 a boy employee, usually uniformed, in a hotel, club, etc (tell the page to take a message). 2 a boy attendant on a bride at a wedding. 3 (old) a boy attendant of a knight or nobleman. | ||
| page2 (noun) | one side of a sheet of paper in a book, etc (turn over the pages of the magazine). | ||
| pageant (noun) | 1 a performance or procession, often presenting scenes from history (a pageant to celebrate the centenary of the village). 2 a fine display or show (a colorful pageant). | ||
| pageantry (noun) | splendid display. | ||
| pagoda (noun) | a pyramid-shaped temple in Eastern countries. | ||
| Pagophobia | fear of ice or frost (see list of phobias) | ||
| Paidonosology | study of children's diseases; pediatrics (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pail (noun) | an open vessel with a handle for carrying liquids (carry a pail of water). | ||
| pain (noun) | 1 suffering of body or mind (he went to the doctor because of the pain in his back painz pain-ful pain-less/. on pain of death with death as a punishment. | ||
| painstaking (adjective) | 1 very careful (a painstaking report). 2 taking great trouble (a painstaking student). | ||
| paint (noun) | a coloring substance spread over the surface of an object with a brush (buy cans of blue paint to decorate the bedroom paint a picture). 2 to paint a picture (he paints as a hobby). n painter. | ||
| paintbrush (noun) | 1 a brush used for decorating a house with paint. 2 a brush used for painting pictures. | ||
| painting (noun) | a painted picture (a painting of their house). | ||
| pair | Collective noun for lovebirds (A pair of lovebirds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pair (noun) | 1 two things of the same kind, a set of two (a pair of gloves our neighbors are an inquisitive pair). vb 1 to arrange in twos. 2 to join one to another. | ||
| pajamas npl, also pyjamas (British spelling) | a loose, lightweight set of pants and a shirt, worn in bed. | ||
| pal (noun) | (informal) a friend, comrade (his best pal). | ||
| palace (noun) | a large and splendid house, especially the house of a king or queen (Buckingham Palace). adj palatial | ||
| Palaeoanthropology | study of early humans (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Palaeobiology | study of fossil plants and animals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Palaeoclimatology | study of ancient climates (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Palaeoichthyology | study of ancient fish (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Palaeolimnology | study of ancient lakes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Palaeontology | study of fossils (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Palaeopedology | study of early soils (see list of branches of science) | ||
| palate (noun) | 1 the roof of the mouth. 2 the sense of taste, the ability to tell good food or wine from bad (get him to choose the wine as he has a good palate). 3 a taste or liking (novels that are not to his palate). | ||
| pale1 (adjective) | 1 lacking color, whiteish (ill people looking pale). 2 not dark in color (pale colors). vb to make or become pale (she paled with fear). | ||
| pale2 (noun) | 1 a pointed stake of wood driven into the ground as part of a fence. 2 (old) a boundary. beyond the pale beyond the limit of proper behavior (his drunken behavior was beyond the pale). | ||
| Paleobotany | study of ancient plants (see list of branches of science) | ||
| paleolithic adj, also palaeolithic (British spelling) | having to do with the early Stone Age (paleolithic remains). | ||
| paleontologist (noun), | also palaeontologist (British spelling) someone who studies paleontology. | ||
| paleontology (noun), | also palaeontology (British spelling) the study of fossils and ancient life forms. | ||
| Paleo-osteology | study of ancient bones (see list of branches of science) | ||
| palette (noun) | a thin board on which an artist mixes his paints. | ||
| palindrome (noun) | a word or phrase whose letters when read from end to beginning spell the same word (e.g. noon). | ||
| palisade (noun) | 1 (old) a defensive fence of stakes. 2 npl palisades a line of high cliffs. | ||
| pallet (noun) | 1 a wooden platform on which goods can be carried by a fork-lift truck. 2 (old) a bed of straw. | ||
| pallor | Collective noun for night watchmen (A pallor of night watchmen) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pallor (noun) | paleness (the invalid’s pallor). | ||
| Palm Sunday (noun) | the Sunday before Easter. | ||
| palm1 (noun) | the inner part of the hand between the wrist and fingers. palm off to get to accept something worthless (palm off the painting as genuine although it was a copy). | ||
| palm2 (noun) | a tall tropical tree with a crown of long broad leaves at the top of the trunk (coconut palms). | ||
| palmist (noun) | a person who claims to tell someone’s future from the lines on their hand (have her future told by a palmist). n palmistry | ||
| palsy (noun) | a disease causing trembling of the limbs. adj palsied | ||
| paltry (adjective) | 1 contemptibly small in worth, worthless (a paltry sum of money). 2 insignificant, meager (they considered the results too paltry for all the effort they had put into the project). | ||
| Palynology | study of pollen (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pampas (noun, plural) | the vast grassy treeless plains of South America. | ||
| pamper (verb) | to spoil by trying to please too much (pamper the child). | ||
| pamphlet (noun) | a small paper-covered booklet. | ||
| pan | Collective noun for critics (A pan of critics) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pan | Collective noun for reviewers (A pan of reviewers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pan- | prefix all. | ||
| pan (noun) | 1 a metal pot used for cooking (pans sitting on the stove). 2 the tray of a balance or set of scales. vb to criticize severely. pan out to turn out, to result. | ||
| Pan (noun) | in legend, the Greek god of nature and shepherds. | ||
| panacea (noun) | a cure for all diseases or evils (look for a panacea for the world’s ills). | ||
| panache (noun) | style, a dramatic show of skill, etc (introduce the guest with great panache). | ||
| pancake (noun) | a thin cake of batter cooked in a pan or on a griddle (toss the pancakes). | ||
| pancreas (noun) | a gland in the body that produces a fluid that helps digestion and produces insulin which helps the body to use glucose (a malfunctioning pancreas caused the boy to develop diabetes). | ||
| panda (noun) | a large black and white animal found in China. | ||
| pandemonium (noun) | a scene of noisy disorder, uproar (there was pandemonium when the crowds were refused entrance to the rally). | ||
| pander (verb) | to give in to the desires of a person or group (pander to the children by letting them stay up late). | ||
| pane (noun) | a single piece of glass in a window. | ||
| panel | Collective noun for experts (A panel of experts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| panel | Collective noun for umpires (A panel of umpires) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| panel (noun) | 1 a thin board fitted into the framework of a door or on a wall or ceiling (an old house with indoor walls made of wooden panels). 2 a group of people who discuss or answer questions put to them by others (a panel of experts answering questions asked by television viewers). | ||
| pang (noun) | 1 a sudden sharp pain (pangs of hunger). 2 a sudden sharp feeling (pangs of regret). | ||
| panic | Collective noun for producers (A panic of producers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| panic (noun) | 1 a sudden uncontrollable fear (she felt the panic rising). 2 sudden fear spreading through a crowd and causing wild disorder (there was panic in the cinema when the fire broke out). Also adj. | ||
| panic-stricken (adjective) | filled with panic (the panic-stricken crowd). | ||
| Panophobia | fear of everything (see list of phobias) | ||
| panorama (noun) | 1 a wide view (a breathtaking panorama from the top of the mountain). 2 a scene painted on a strip of material and gradually unrolled before an audience. 3 a general representation in words or pictures (a book giving a panorama of life in the prohibition era). | ||
| pansy (noun) | a garden plant like a large type of violet. | ||
| pant (verb) | 1 to take short quick breaths (runners panting at the end of the race). 2 to long for (pant for the chance to sing). n a gasp. | ||
| pantheon | Collective noun for gods (A pantheon of gods) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| panther (noun) | a leopard, especially the black variety. | ||
| Panthophobia | fear of suffering and disease (see list of phobias) | ||
| panties (noun, plural) | women or children’s underwear. | ||
| pantomime (noun) | 1 a story told through mime. 2 (British spelling) an amusing Christmas play, popular with children, with music and songs, based on a well-known story or fairy tale. | ||
| Pantophobia | fear of everything (see list of phobias) | ||
| pantry | Collective noun for food (A pantry of food) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pantry (noun) | 1 a small room for keeping food (keep the food cool in the pantry). 2 a room in which food, dishes, cutlery, etc, are stored. | ||
| pants (noun, plural) | 1 a piece of clothing that has two legs and fastens at the waist. 2 (British spelling) underpants. | ||
| pantyhose (noun) | a woman’s undergarment covering the legs and bottom, similar to tights, made from nylon or silk. | ||
| Papaphobia | fear of the pope (see list of phobias) | ||
| paparazzi (noun, plural) | (sing paparazzo ) photographers who follow famous people (often intrusively) in order to take their photographs to sell to newspapers and magazines. | ||
| papaya (noun) | 1 a Caribbean tree with large green hanging fruit. 2 the yellow sweet-tasting fruit of this tree (papaya tastes delicious with a squeeze of lime juice). | ||
| paper (noun) | 1 a material made from wood pulp, rags, etc, and used for writing, printing, wrapping and many other purposes (waste paper). 2 a newspaper (a daily paper). 3 an essay (write a paper on the poetry of John Keats). 4 a set of examination questions on a subject or part of a subject (the maths paper). vb to cover with paper (paper the walls). | ||
| paper chase (noun) | a cross-country run in which certain runners throw down a trail of paper for the others to follow. | ||
| paper money (noun) | bank notes. | ||
| paperback (noun) | a soft book with a cover of thin card (wait for the novel to come out in paperback). | ||
| paperweight (noun) | a heavy object placed on top of loose papers to keep them in place. | ||
| papier mâché (noun) | a substance consisting of paper pulp used when wet for molding boxes, ornaments, etc, that is hard when dry. (the children were making bowls out of papier mâché). | ||
| papoose (noun) | a Native American baby. | ||
| paprika (noun) | a powdered seasoning made from red pepper (sprinkle paprika on the savories). | ||
| Papyrology | study of paper (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Papyrophobia | fear of paper (see list of phobias) | ||
| papyrus (noun) | (pl papyri ) 1 a reed from which paper was made in ancient times. 2 the paper thus made. | ||
| par (noun) | 1 the state of being equal (cities on a par in terms of tourist popularity). 2 the normal value, amount or degree of something (work not up to par). 3 in golf, the number of strokes that should be taken on a round by a good player (a score of two over par). | ||
| parable (noun) | a simple story made up to illustrate the difference between right and wrong. | ||
| parabola (noun) | 1 a curved line so drawn that it is throughout its length the same distance from both a fixed point and a line. 2 a section obtained by cutting a cone by a plane parallel to its side. | ||
| parachute (noun) | an apparatus that opens like an umbrella and enables people to jump from an airplane and drop to the ground safely (parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon). | ||
| parade (noun) | 1 a public procession (a parade of decorated floats). 2 a vsible display (a parade of his knowledge). 3 soldiers, etc, standing in lines under the command of their officers. vb 1 to display (parade his knowledge). 2 to take up places in an orderly body (e.g. of soldiers). 3 to march in a procession. 4 to walk up and down (she paraded up and down impatiently). | ||
| paradise (noun) | 1 Heaven. 2 the Garden of Eden. 3 (informal) a place or state of great happiness (regard a day without work as paradise). | ||
| paradox (noun) | a statement that seems to contradict itself (“More haste, less speed” is a paradox). adj paradoxical | ||
| Paradoxology | study of paradoxes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| paraffin (noun) | a waxy substance obtained from shale or coal and used for making candles or made into oil for lamps, etc. | ||
| paragon (noun) | a perfect example of a good quality (a paragon of good manners). | ||
| paragraph (noun) | a distinct division of a piece of writing beginning on a new line, and often with its first word slightly in from the left-hand margin. | ||
| parakeet (noun) | a small parrot. | ||
| Paralipophobia | fear of neglecting duty or responsibility (see list of phobias) | ||
| parallel (adjective) | 1 (of lines) at the same distance from each other at all points. 2 similar (a parallel case/parallel circumstances). n 1 a like or similar example, a comparison (see a parallel in the two cases). 2 one of the lines drawn on maps through all places at the same distance from the equator. | ||
| parallelogram (noun) | a four-sided figure whose opposite sides are parallel. | ||
| paralysis (noun) | a condition causing loss of feeling and the power to move in part of the body (suffering from paralysis below the waist). | ||
| paralytic (adjective) | suffering from paralysis. Also n. | ||
| paralyze (verb), | also paralyse (British spelling) 1 to make helpless or powerless (a country paralyzed by a transport strike). 2 to strike with paralysis (he has been paralyzed since the accident to his spine). | ||
| paramedic (noun) | a person who is trained to give a certain amount of medical treatment until the patient can be treated by a doctor. | ||
| parameter (noun) | a factor that determines the limits (working within the parameters of the resources available to them). | ||
| paramount (adjective) | highest, greatest (of paramount importance). | ||
| paranoia (noun) | a form of mental illness which can result in delusions, or feelings of persecution. | ||
| parapet (noun) | a safety wall at the side of a bridge, at the edge of a roof, etc. | ||
| paraphernalia (noun, plural) | a large collection of objects, often personal belongings, or all the tools necessary for a job or hobby (the paraphernalia necessary to take a baby on a journey). | ||
| Paraphobia | fear of sexual perversion (see list of phobias) | ||
| paraphrase (verb) | to express the sense of a passage by using other words (the teacher paraphrased the difficult poem). Also n. | ||
| Parapsychology | study of unexplained mental phenomena (see list of branches of science) | ||
| parasite (noun) | 1 a plant or animal that lives on or in another (fleas are parasites). 2 someone who lives at another’s expense (a parasite who moves from one friend’s house to another). adj parasitic | ||
| Parasitology | study of parasites (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Parasitophobia | fear of parasites (see list of phobias) | ||
| Paraskavedekatriaphobia | fear of Friday the 13th (see list of phobias) | ||
| parasol (noun) | a sunshade in the form of an umbrella (carry a parasol in the midday sun). | ||
| paratroop(er) (noun) | a soldier trained to drop from an airplane by parachute. | ||
| parboil (verb) | to boil slightly (parboil the potatoes). | ||
| parcel | Collective noun for hinds (A parcel of hinds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| parcel | Collective noun for postal workers (A parcel of postal workers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| parcel (noun) | 1 a small bundle or package (send the present in a parcel). 2 a small piece of land, especially part of a large piece (the large estate has been divided into parcels of land). vb (parceled , parceling ) 1 to divide into shares (parcel out the food to the homeless). 2 to wrap up in paper, etc (parcel up the presents). | ||
| parch (verb) | to dry up (grass parched by the sun). | ||
| parched (adjective) | 1 dried out (parched land). 2 (informal) very thirsty (parched after the long walk). | ||
| parchment (noun) | 1 a skin prepared for writing on. 2 what is written on it. | ||
| pardon (verb) | to forgive, to let off without punishment (the priest pardoned his wrongdoing). n forgiveness. | ||
| pardonable (adjective) | that can be forgiven (crimes that are not pardonable). | ||
| pare (verb) | to cut off the skin or edge of (paring the rind from the cheese). | ||
| parel | Collective noun for troops (A parel of troops) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| parent (noun) | a father or mother (being a parent is often difficult, but very rewarding). | ||
| parentage (noun) | parents and ancestors, birth (of noble parentage). | ||
| parental (adjective) | of a parent (they took their parental responsibilities very seriously). | ||
| parenthesis | Collective noun for cellists (A parenthesis of cellists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| parenthesis (noun) | 1 a group of words put into the middle of a sentence interrupting its sense and often enclosed in brackets (in the sentence “the weather [according to the forecast] was going to be terrible”, “according to the forecast” is in parenthesis). 2 either of a pair of brackets. adj parenthetical | ||
| paring (noun) | a piece of skin cut off (feed vegetable parings to the pigs). | ||
| parish (noun) | 1 a district with its own church and priest or minister. 2 (British spelling) a division of a county for administrative purposes. adj having to do with a parish (a parish church/a parish council). | ||
| parity (noun) | equality, the state of being equal (women seeking parity with men in terms of their wages). | ||
| park (noun) | 1 an enclosed piece of ground for the use of the public (children playing in the park). 2 a large enclosed space of open ground round a country house (a mansion with an extensive park). 3 see parking lot. vb to leave (a motor car, etc) standing (park his car illegally). | ||
| parka (noun) | a heavy jacket with a hood. | ||
| parking lot (noun) | a place where cars, etc, may be left | ||
| parkway (noun) | a wide road that has trees, shrubs, grass or flowers planted down the middle or along the sides. | ||
| parley | Collective noun for instruments (A parley of instruments) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| parliament | Collective noun for owls (A parliament of owls) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| parliament | Collective noun for ptarmigans (A parliament of ptarmigans) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| parliament | Collective noun for whores (A parliament of whores) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| parliament (noun) | 1 an assembly that discusses and makes laws. 2 (British spelling) (usually cap) the House of Commons and the House of Lords in the UK. adj parliamentary | ||
| parlor (noun), | also parlour (British spelling) 1 (old) a sitting room. 2 a shop providing some kind of personal service (a beauty parlor/a funeral parlor). | ||
| parody (noun) | 1 a humorous imitation of a serious work of literature. 2 a weak and unsuccessful copy or absurd imitation (his statement was a parody of the truth). vb 1 to make a parody of. 2 to imitate in order to make fun of (he parodied the judge’s closing speech). | ||
| Paroemiology | study of proverbs (see list of branches of science) | ||
| parole (noun) | the release of a prisoner before the end of his or her sentence on condition that he or she does not break the law (prisoners released on parole). | ||
| parrot (noun) | a brightly colored tropical bird able to imitate human speech (keep a parrot in a cage as a pet). | ||
| parse (verb) | to tell what part of speech a word is and its relation to other words in the sentence. n parsing | ||
| parsley (noun) | a garden herb used in cooking (use parsley to flavor the soup). | ||
| parsnip (noun) | a vegetable with a yellow edible root. | ||
| parson (noun) | a member of clergy (married by the local parson). | ||
| part (noun) | 1 one of the pieces into which a thing can be divided. 2 some but not all. 3 the character played by an actor. 4 the division made when the hair is brushed in two directions (a center part) 5 pl ability, talents. adj in part. vb 1 to divide. 2 to separate. adv partly in good part without being angry (take the news of the defeat in good part). part and parcel a necessary part. | ||
| partake (verb) | (formal) 1 to take a share in, to take part in (partaking in the decision). 2 to eat (partake of a large meal). | ||
| Parthenology | study of virgins (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Parthenophobia | fear of virgins or young girls (see list of phobias) | ||
| partial (adjective) | 1 in part only (a partial improvement). 2 favoring one side or person (a partial decision/a partial umpire). 2 fond (of) (partial to sweet things). | ||
| partiality (noun) | 1 (formal) the favoring of one more than others, unfairness (an umpire accused of partiality). 2 liking (for) (a partiality for chocolate). | ||
| participant , participator (noun) | someone who takes part in (participants in the quiz). | ||
| participate (verb) | to take part in, to have a share in (participating in the discussions). n participation | ||
| participle (noun) | a part of the verb which does the work of an adjective. | ||
| particle (noun) | a very small part (particles of dust/not a particle of truth). | ||
| particular (adjective) | 1 different from others, special. 2 careful, exact. 3 difficult to please. n a single fact, a detail. | ||
| particularize (verb), | also particularise to describe in detail. | ||
| parting (noun) | 1 separation (the parting of the ways). 2 act of going away or leaving (a sad parting at the station). 3 (British spelling) the division made when the hair is brushed in two directions (a center parting). adj done when going away, final (her parting words). | ||
| partition (noun) | 1 a dividing wall or screen (a partition dividing the bedroom into two). 2 division (the partition of India). 3 a part divided off from the rest (a partition for changing). vb 1 to divide up (partition the country into states). 2 to set up a dividing wall, etc. | ||
| partner (noun) | 1 someone who works or plays with another in a certain undertaking, game, etc (business partners/tennis partners). 2 a husband or wife, someone with whom one lives or is in a long-term relationship (he and his partner were invited to the party). vb to go with or give to as a partner (she partnered him to the dance). | ||
| partnership (noun) | 1 the state of being partners (go into partnership). 2 a group of people working together for the same purpose (a business partnership). 3 people playing on the same side in a game (a successful tennis partnership). | ||
| partridge (noun) | a game bird with gray, brown and white feathers, hunted in sport. | ||
| part-time (adjective) | for some of the time only (part-time work). | ||
| Parturiphobia | fear of childbirth (see list of phobias) | ||
| party (noun) | 1 a group of people who have the same or similar beliefs and opinions (political parties). 2 a meeting of a number of people for enjoyment (a birthday party). 3 a person or organization taking part (one of the parties involved in the scheme). | ||
| pass (verb) | 1 to go past (pass the church on the way to the station). 2 to go on one’s way (watch the soldiers pass on their way to war). 3 to move (something) from one place or person to another (could you pass the salt?). 4 to die (the invalid passed away). 5 (of time) to go by (as the hours passed). 6 to spend (time) (pass the summer reading). 7 to overtake (a car passing the truck). 8 to succeed at examination. 9 to recognize as good enough, to approve (pass his application for a license). 10 to utter (pass a remark). 11 to set up as by vote (congress passing a new bill). 12 (formal) to be too great for (pass their understanding). n 1 a narrow valley between mountains. 2 a written permission to visit certain places. 3 success in an examination (get a pass in maths). a pretty pass a bad state of affairs (things have come to a pretty pass). | ||
| passable (adjective) | 1 fairly good (a passable pianist). 2 that can be crossed or traveled on (roads scarcely passable in the winter). | ||
| passage (noun) | 1 a way through (force a passage through the crowds). 2 act of passing (the passage of time). 3 a journey, especially by sea (pay for his passage to Australia by cooking for the crew). 4 a corridor (a large house with long dark passages). 5 part of a book, poem, etc (learn a passage from the poem by heart). | ||
| passbook (noun) | a book showing the amounts paid into and drawn from a bank account. | ||
| passel | Collective noun for brats (A passel of brats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| passel | Collective noun for possums (A passel of possums) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| passenger (noun) | someone traveling in a ship, car, train, etc (he had room for another passenger in his car). | ||
| passer-by (noun) | (pl passers-by ) someone who is walking past (the beggar was ignored by the passers-by). | ||
| passing (adjective) | 1 moving or going past. 2 lasting for a short time only (a passing thought). | ||
| passion (noun) | 1 strong feeling such as love (their passion for each other). 2 anger (he threw his glass to the floor in a fit of passion). 3 strong affection, enthusiasm (football is his great passion). the Passion the last sufferings of Christ. | ||
| passionate (adjective) | 1 having or showing strong feelings (a passionate love of freedom). 2 very enthusiastic (a passionate interest in sport). | ||
| passion-flower (noun) | a tropical flower, so-called because of an imagined resemblance to Christ’s crown of thorns. | ||
| passion-fruit (noun) | the edible purple fruit of the passion-flower. | ||
| passive (adjective) | 1 acted on (passive verbs). 2 showing no emotion, interest, etc. 3 not active; unresisting (accept the situation with passive resignation). passive smoking the breathing in of other people’s cigarette smoke (passive smoking is bad for your health). n passivity | ||
| Passover (noun) | a Jewish feast in memory of their escape from Egypt. | ||
| passport (noun) | a document giving a person permission to travel in foreign countries (they had to show their passports at the border). | ||
| password (noun) | 1 a secret combination of letters and numbers that must be supplied by a user in order to gain access to a digital resource such as an online account (I’ve forgotten my password again). 2 a secret word used by authorized persons to prove their right to access, information, etc. | ||
| past (adjective) | 1 gone by (in past times). 2 belonging to an earlier time (past presidents). n 1 time gone by (in the past he was very poor). 2 one’s earlier life (his past is unknown to his present employer). (preposition) 1 beyond (the building past the church). 2 after (past 3 o’clock). adv by (watch the soldiers march past). | ||
| past master (noun) | an expert, someone with great skill (a past master at the art of conversation). | ||
| past participle (noun) | a form of verb often ending in -ed or -en, that shows that an action happened in the past (sang is the past participle of sing). | ||
| past perfect , pluperfect (noun) | a tense indicating that an action took place before a past action (I knew who he was. I had seen him before). | ||
| pasta (noun) | an Italian food, such as spaghetti, made from a paste of flour, eggs and water, formed into different shapes and often dried before use (pasta and tomato sauce). | ||
| paste (noun) | 1 flour mixed with water, etc, to make dough for cooking. 2 a sticky mixture of this used as an adhesive. 3 food crushed so that it can be spread like butter (fish paste). 4 the hard shiny glass material of which imitation gems are made (a paste necklace). vb to stick with paste (pasting the posters on the billboard). | ||
| pastel (noun) | 1 a colored chalk or crayon. 2 a drawing done with pastel. 3 a pale delicate color. adj soft, quiet, not bright (pastel colors). | ||
| pasteurize (verb), | also pasteurise (British spelling) to heat in order to kill all harmful germs (pasteurized milk). | ||
| pastille (noun) | 1 a small sweet-smelling lozenge. 2 a lozenge containing medicine (cough pastilles). | ||
| pastime (noun) | a hobby, a game, an interest for one’s spare time (his pastimes are chess and golf). | ||
| pastor (noun) | the minister of a church. | ||
| pastoral (adjective) | 1 (formal) having to do with the country or country life (pastoral scenes). 2 having to do with a member of the clergy or his or her duties (pastoral duties). n a poem describing country life. | ||
| pastry (noun) | 1 a dough of flour, water etc, made crisp by baking (puff pastry). 2 a pie or tart (a shop selling pastries). | ||
| pasture (noun) | grassland where farm animals graze. vb 1 to put cattle to graze. 2 to eat grass on. | ||
| pasty (adjective) | white and unhealthy, pale (a pasty complexion). | ||
| pat (noun) | 1 a tap, a light touch (a pat on the back). 2 a small lump (a pat of butter). vb (patted , patting ) to tap, to hit lightly (pat the dog). adj ready, coming too easily (an explanation that was too pat to be convincing). | ||
| Pataphysics | study of imaginary solutions (see list of branches of science) | ||
| patch (noun) | 1 a piece of material sewed or put on to cover a hole (a patch on the knee of her jeans). 2 a small piece of ground (a vegetable patch in the garden). vb to mend by covering over (patch the elbows of his jacket). | ||
| patchwork (noun) | many small pieces of material sewn together (a quilt made of patchwork). | ||
| patchy (adjective) | 1 full of small areas of differing quality (patchy paintwork). 2 (informal) sometimes good, sometimes bad (his schoolwork is patchy). | ||
| pâté (noun) | finely minced cooked meat, such as liver, which is spreadable. | ||
| patent (noun) | 1 a written document giving someone the sole right to make or sell a new invention. 2 the granting of land titles by the government. adj 1 protected by patent (a patent cough cure). 2 (formal) obvious, clear (his patent dishonesty). vb 1 to obtain a patent for (patenting his new machine). 2 to grant land titles by a patent. | ||
| patent leather (noun) | leather with a very high gloss (dancing shoes of patent leather). | ||
| paternal (adjective) | 1 fatherly, like a father (paternal love). 2 related by blood to one’s father (his paternal grandmother). | ||
| paternity (noun) | the state of being a father (question his paternity of the child). | ||
| path (noun) | 1 a narrow way made by the treading of feet, a track (mountain paths). 2 the course followed by a person or thing (a new career path). | ||
| pathetic (adjective) | sad, causing pity (a pathetic sight/a pathetic person). | ||
| pathless (adjective) | (formal) without a path, unexplored (pathless tracts of the jungle). | ||
| pathological (adjective) | 1 having to do with the study of disease (pathological research). 2 (informal) unreasonable, unnatural (a pathological hatred of his brother). | ||
| Pathology | study of disease (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pathology (noun) | the study of diseases. n pathologist | ||
| Pathophobia | fear of disease (see list of phobias) | ||
| pathos (noun) | the quality that evokes pity or sadness (the documentary caught the pathos of the orphans’ situation). | ||
| pathway (noun) | a path (the mountain pathways/the pathway to fortune). | ||
| patience (noun) | the ability to suffer or wait long without complaining; calmness despite delay or difficulty (she bears her long illness with patience). | ||
| patient (adjective) | suffering delay, pain, irritation, etc, quietly and without complaining (a patient acceptance of her long illness/be patient and wait your turn in the line). n a person receiving medical treatment (the doctor’s patients). | ||
| patio (noun) | a paved area outside a house where people can sit, plants can be grown in containers, etc. | ||
| patriarch (noun) | (formal) 1 the head of a tribe or family. 2 a senior bishop. 3 a head of the Greek church. 4 a very old man (the patriarchs of the village sitting in the square). adj patriarchal | ||
| patriot (noun) | someone who loves his or her country (a patriot who died for his country). n patriotism | ||
| patriotic (adjective) | loving one’s country (sing the national anthem with patriotic enthusiasm). | ||
| Patroiophobia | fear of heredity (see list of phobias) | ||
| patrol (noun) | 1 a group of men, ships, etc, sent out as a moving guard (enemy aircraft spotted by the patrol). 2 the act of patrolling (soldiers on patrol). vb (patrolled , patrolling ) to move about on guard or to keep watch (security guards patrolling the factory grounds). | ||
| patrolman (noun) | a police officer responsible for a particular beat. | ||
| Patrology | study of early Christianity (see list of branches of science) | ||
| patron (noun) | 1 someone who encourages, helps or protects (a patron of the arts). 2 a regular customer (a patron of the local hairdresser). | ||
| patron saint (noun) | a saint believed to give special protection (Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland). | ||
| patronage (noun) | 1 the help or protection given by a patron (his patronage of the arts). 2 the right of appointing to certain offices (the chairman’s patronage secured his son’s appointment). 3 a manner that shows that one thinks oneself superior (her patronage of the younger members of staff). | ||
| patronize (verb), | also patronise 1 to behave to another as if superior to him or her (the manager’s secretary who patronizes the younger secretaries) 2 (formal) to encourage or help, as a patron (patronizing young artists). 3 to go somewhere regularly as a patron (I patronize Burke’s Bistro). | ||
| patsy (noun) | someone who can be used or manipulated. | ||
| patter1 (verb) | 1 to make a light tapping sound (rain pattering on the roof). 2 to run with quick light steps (mice pattering around the attic). n the sound of pattering (the patter of rain on the roof). | ||
| patter2 (noun) | fast talk, especially persuasive talk (the patter of a salesman). | ||
| pattern (noun) | 1 a model that can be copied (a dress pattern). 2 an example (the pattern of good behavior). 3 a design as on cloth, a carpet, etc (a flower pattern on the curtains). 4 the way in which something happens or develops (the pattern of the illness). | ||
| patty (noun) | a little pie (meat patties). | ||
| paunch (noun) | the belly, especially a large protruding one (he has developed a paunch from drinking too much beer). | ||
| pauper (noun) | a person too poor to support him- or herself (he was wealthy once but he died a pauper). | ||
| pause (verb) | to stop for a time (pause for a moment before answering). n a short stop (a pause for breath/a pause for a cup of tea). | ||
| pavanne | Collective noun for matadors (A pavanne of matadors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pave (verb) | to make a road or pathway by laying down flat stones (paving the road leading to the new houses). pave the way for to prepare for (the opening of the new shopping mall paved the way for further property developments). | ||
| pavement (noun) | (British) a path for pedestrians at the side of a road; sidewalk. | ||
| pavilion (noun) | 1 a building put up quickly for a special purpose (the exhibition pavilions). 2 a large tent. 3 a small, decorative building in a park or garden. | ||
| paw (noun) | the foot of an animal that has claws (a dog’s paws). vb 1 to scrape with the forefoot (horses pawing the ground). 2 to handle clumsily, and often in too familiar a way (he was pawing the woman he was dancing with). | ||
| pawn1 (noun) | 1 in chess, the piece of least value. 2 a person made use of by another to do his or her will (the child was used as a pawn in the quarrel between his divorced parents). | ||
| pawn2 (verb) | to hand over in return for money lent (pawning his watch). n a thing handed over in return for a loan of money and returned when the loan is repaid. pawnbroker (noun) | ||
| pay (verb) | (pt, pp paid ) 1 to give money for goods, service, etc (pay for their groceries pay heed). 4 to produce a profit (find a product that pays). 5 to let run out (pay out the rope to let the boat into the water). n wages, salary. pay through the nose (informal) to pay too much for something (he paid through the nose for that old car). | ||
| payment (noun) | 1 the act of paying (the payment of their debts). 2 the amount paid (payment received in full). | ||
| payroll (noun) | a list of persons to be paid (people on the factory payroll). | ||
| PC | abbreviation for 1 personal computer. 2 politically correct. 3 (British spelling) police constable. | ||
| pea (noun) | 1 a climbing plant with pods containing round edible seeds. 2 one of the seeds (soup made from peas). | ||
| peace (noun) | 1 quiet, calm (peace reigned after the children went to bed). 2 freedom from war or disorder (people in a country at war longing for peace). 3 the agreement to end a war (talks on peace). | ||
| peaceful (adjective) | 1 quiet, calm, untroubled (a peaceful village in the country). 2 without war (peaceful countries). | ||
| peach (noun) | a juicy fruit with a rough stone and soft velvety skin (ripe golden peaches). | ||
| peacock (noun) | a bird, the male of which has a large, brightly colored spreading tail. f peahen | ||
| peak (noun) | 1 the highest point (the peak of his political career). 2 the pointed top of a mountain. 3 the jutting-out brim at the front of a cap (a blue cap with a red peak). adj connected with the time of greatest use or demand (peak TV viewing times). vb to reach the highest point (his career peaked in his early 40s). | ||
| peaked (adjective) | having a jutting-out brim in front (a peaked cap). | ||
| peal | Collective noun for bells (A peal of bells) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| peal (noun) | 1 a sudden noise (a peal of thunder). 2 the loud ringing of bells (the peal of the church bells). 3 a set of bells for ringing together. vb to sound or ring loudly. | ||
| peanut (noun) | the edible nut-like seed of a legume, used as a food and an oil (peanut butter). Also groundnut. | ||
| pear (noun) | a juicy fruit narrower at one end than at the other (there are lots of ripe pears on the tree). | ||
| pearl (noun) | 1 a shining white jewel found in shellfish, especially oysters (a necklace of pearls). 2 (informal) something highly valued (the pearl of his collection of antiques). 3 mother-of-pearl (pearl handles). | ||
| peasant (noun) | a person who works on the land, especially in a poor, primitive or underdeveloped area. | ||
| peat (noun) | turf containing decayed vegetable matter, dried and used as fuel (peat fires in the Scottish Highlands). | ||
| pebble (noun) | a small stone made round by the action of water (a beach of pebbles). adj pebbly (a pebbly beach). | ||
| Peccatophobia | fear of sinning or imaginary crimes (see list of phobias) | ||
| peck | Collective noun for Frenchmen (A peck of Frenchmen) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| peck1 (noun) | in the imperial system, a measure for grain, etc (= 2 gallons). | ||
| peck2 (verb) | 1 to strike with the beak (his pet bird pecked his finger). 2 to pick up with the beak (birds pecking at seed). 3 to eat slowly in small mouthfuls, to nibble (a child who only pecks at her food). | ||
| peculiar (adjective) | 1 strange, odd (meat that tastes peculiar). 2 belonging to one person, place or thing in particular and to no other (his peculiar style of walking/the peculiar charm of the village). | ||
| peculiarity (noun) | 1 a quality, custom, etc, that belongs to a particular person, thing, etc. 2 an odd way of behaving. | ||
| Pedagogics | study of teaching (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pedal (noun) | a lever worked by foot to control the working of a machine (the bicycle pedal pe-dald pe-da-ling/) to work a pedal by foot (pedal the bicycle uphill). | ||
| pedant (noun) | 1 someone who shows off his or her learning. 2 someone who attaches too much importance to small details and unimportant rules (a pedant who kept finding problems with the wording of the contract). adj pedantic | ||
| pedantry (noun) | 1 showing off one’s learning. 2 over-insistence on rules, etc. | ||
| peddle (verb) | to sell from door to door (salesmen peddling cleaning products). | ||
| peddler (noun), | also pedlar, pedler someone who travels about selling small objects (peddlers selling things from door to door). | ||
| pedestal (noun) | the block of stone at the base of a column or under a statue (a bust of Shakespeare on a pedestal). put on a pedestal to treat with very great, often too much, respect (he put his wife on a pedestal but she did not deserve his respect). | ||
| pedestrian (noun) | someone who goes on foot, a walker (pedestrians looking for a place to cross the street/a pedestrian crossing). adj 1 going on foot (pedestrian passengers on the ferry). 2 dull, uninteresting (a pedestrian style of writing). | ||
| pedestrianized (adjective) | of or relating to streets in which traffic is not allowed so that pedestrians can walk safely (a pedestrianized precinct). | ||
| Pediaphobia | fear of babies or children (see list of phobias) | ||
| Pediculophobia | fear of lice (see list of phobias) | ||
| pedicure (noun) | 1 professional treatment of the feet by a medical expert. 2 a single treatment of the feet. | ||
| pedigree (noun) | 1 a written table showing one’s ancestors (get a copy of the dog’s pedigree). 2 one’s ancestors (a young woman of aristocratic pedigree). adj of good birth (a pedigree spaniel). | ||
| pediment (noun) | the triangular topmost part at the front of a building. | ||
| Pediophobia | fear of dolls (see list of phobias) | ||
| pedlar, pedler | see peddler. | ||
| Pedology | study of soils (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pedometer (noun) | an instrument that measures distance walked (walkers wearing pedometers). | ||
| Pedophobia | fear of children (see list of phobias) | ||
| peel | Collective noun for vacationers (A peel of vacationers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| peel (verb) | 1 to strip off. 2 to cut the skin off a fruit or vegetable. 3 to come off, as does skin or the bark of a tree (oranges that peel easily). n skin, rind, bark. | ||
| peeling (noun) | a piece peeled off. | ||
| peep1 (verb) | to chirp, to squeak. n 1 a chirp or squeak. 2 any of various small sandpipers. | ||
| peep2 (verb) | 1 to look at through a narrow opening. 2 to look at for a moment only. 3 to begin to appear (the sun peeped through the clouds). n 1 a quick or secret look. 2 a look through a narrow opening. 3 a first appearance. | ||
| peephole (noun) | a small hole for looking through (a peephole in the front door). | ||
| peer1 (verb) | 1 to strain one’s eyes to see. 2 to look closely. | ||
| peer2 (noun) | 1 an equal, one’s equal in age, ability, rank (a child ahead of his peers at school). 2 a British nobleman (peers in the House of Lords). f peeress | ||
| peerage (noun) | 1 all the noblemen of a country. 2 the rank or title of a British nobleman. | ||
| peerless (adjective) | (formal) unequalled (her peerless beauty). | ||
| peevish (adjective) | irritable, full of complaints (a peevish old man who is difficult to please). | ||
| peg (noun) | a nail, pin or fastener (tent pegs). vb (pegged , pegging ) to fasten with a peg (peg the tent to the ground). take down a peg to humble, to humiliate (she was so conceited that they felt they had to take her down a peg or two). | ||
| Peladophobia | fear of bald people (see list of phobias) | ||
| pelican (noun) | a water bird with a large beak containing a pouch for storing fish. | ||
| Pellagrophobia | fear of pellagra (see list of phobias) | ||
| pellet (noun) | 1 a small ball of anything (give the birds pellets of bread). 2 a pill. 3 one of a number of small lead balls packed in a cartridge and fired from a gun. | ||
| pell-mell (adverb) | in great disorder (the children ran pell-mell into the yard). | ||
| Pelology | study of mud (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pelt1 (noun) | the raw skin of an animal (sell mink pelts for profit). | ||
| pelt2 (verb) | 1 to attack by throwing things at (the audience pelting the comedian with rotten fruit). 2 (of rain) to fall heavily (it was pelting down). | ||
| pelvis (noun) | the bony frame and the lower end of the trunk, into which the hipbones fit. | ||
| pen friend (noun) | a person one gets to know only through exchanging letters. Also pen pal. | ||
| pen name (noun) | a name, other than his or her real name, under which an author writes (the author’s pen name). | ||
| pen pal | see pen friend. | ||
| pen1 (noun) | an instrument for writing in ink (a fountain pen). vb to write. | ||
| pen2 (noun) | a female swan. | ||
| pen3 (noun) | a small enclosure, especially for animals (a sheep pen). vb (penned , penning ) to shut up in a small space (pen the stray dogs up in a cage). | ||
| penal (adjective) | having to do with punishment (the penal system). | ||
| penalize (verb), | also penalise (British spelling) to punish (penalizing the baseball player/penalize his attempt at cheating). | ||
| penalty (noun) | 1 due punishment (the death penalty). 2 a disadvantage of some kind that must be suffered for breaking the rules (a football penalty). | ||
| penance (noun) | punishment willingly accepted as a sign of sorrow for sin (do penance for his sins). | ||
| pence (British spelling) | see penny. | ||
| penchant (noun) | (formal) a liking for, a preference for (a penchant for spicy food). | ||
| pencil | Collective noun for lines (A pencil of lines) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pencil (noun) | a writing or drawing instrument. vb (penciling , penciled ) to write or draw with pencil (pencil in a few corrections). | ||
| pendant (noun) | 1 an ornament hanging from a necklace or bracelet (a diamond pendant). 2 an earring. 3 anything hanging (e.g. a lamp from a roof). | ||
| pending (adjective) | not yet decided (the matter is still pending). (preposition) waiting for (pending a decision). | ||
| pendulous (adjective) | (formal) hanging (branches pendulous with fruit). | ||
| pendulum (noun) | a swinging weight, as in a large clock. | ||
| penetrable (adjective) | that can be penetrated (roads scarcely penetrable in winter). | ||
| penetrate (verb) | 1 to pass through (light penetrating the thin curtains). 2 to make a hole in or through (a bullet penetrated his shoulder). 3 to reach the mind of (it didn’t seem to penetrate that her husband was dead). | ||
| penetrating (adjective) | 1 sharp (a penetrating stare). 2 loud and clear (a penetrating voice). | ||
| penetration (noun) | 1 act of passing through or making a hole in. 2 clear understanding, intelligence. | ||
| penguin (noun) | a web-footed bird with very short wings that it uses for swimming, not flying (penguins are found in the Antarctic regions). | ||
| Peniaphobia | fear of poverty (see list of phobias) | ||
| penicillin (noun) | a kind of germ-killing drug obtained from mould (take penicillin to cure her sore throat). | ||
| peninsula (noun) | a piece of land almost surrounded by water. | ||
| penitent (adjective) | sorrowful for having done wrong (children penitent for having broken the window). n someone who is penitent. n penitence | ||
| penitential (adjective) | (formal) having to do with penitence (a penitential attitude). | ||
| penitentiary (noun) | a prison. | ||
| penknife (noun) | a folding pocket knife. | ||
| penmanship (noun) | (formal) the art of handwriting (admire his penmanship). | ||
| pennant , pennon (noun) | 1 a long narrow triangular flag. 2 a flag symbolizing a particular sports championship. | ||
| penniless (adjective) | having no money (penniless people begging). | ||
| penny (noun) | (pl pennies , pence ) a British bronze coin worth one twelfth of a shilling until 1971 after which 100 new pence = £1. | ||
| Penology | study of crime and punishment (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pension (noun) | money paid regularly to someone for the rest of his or her lifetime after he or she has stopped working or after some misfortune (receive a company pension). vb to give a pension to. | ||
| pensioner (noun) | someone who receives a pension. | ||
| pensive (adjective) | (formal) thoughtful (in pensive mood). | ||
| pentagon (noun) | a five-sided figure. | ||
| Pentagon (noun) | the headquarters of the Department of Defense. | ||
| Pentecost (noun) | a Christian and Jewish festival. | ||
| Pentheraphobia | fear of mother-in-law (see list of phobias) | ||
| penthouse (noun) | 1 an apartment, usually luxurious, at the top of a building (a fine view from the penthouse). 2 a shed with down-sloping roof built against a wall. | ||
| penultimate (adjective) | (formal) the last but one (it was the tv series’ penultimate episode). | ||
| peony (noun) | a garden plant with large white or red flowers. | ||
| people (noun) | 1 all those belonging to one nation or country (the people of Brazil). 2 the ordinary persons of a country and not their rulers, etc (the people rebelling against their rulers). 3 persons (people who care about others). vb 1 to fill with people (a building peopled with office workers). 2 to inhabit (tribes who people the plains). | ||
| pep (noun) | vitality, high spirits. | ||
| pepper (noun) | 1 a plant whose seeds are ground into a hot-tasting powder and used for flavoring food. 2 the powder so used (season the dish with salt and pepper). | ||
| peppercorn (noun) | the seed of the pepper plant. | ||
| peppermint (noun) | 1 a plant with sharp-tasting oil. 2 a sharp-tasting candy (suck a peppermint). | ||
| peppery (adjective) | like pepper, hot (a peppery sauce). | ||
| per (preposition) | 1 for each (apples $2 per kilo). 2 during each (work 40 hours per week). 3 (informal) according to (as per instructions). | ||
| perceive (verb) | to know through one of the senses, to see, to understand (perceive a reason for their distress). | ||
| percent adv, also per cent | in each hundred (%). | ||
| percentage (noun) | the number of cases in every hundred (a percentage of the injured animals die). | ||
| perceptible (adjective) | able to be perceived (no perceptible difference). | ||
| perception (noun) | 1 the ability to perceive. 2 intelligence. | ||
| perceptive (adjective) | 1 quick to notice or understand (perceptive people who reported him to the police). 2 showing the ability to notice or understand (perceptive comments). | ||
| perch1 (noun) | a freshwater fish. | ||
| perch2 (noun) | 1 the bar, branch, etc, on which a bird stands when resting. 2 a high place. vb 1 to rest on a bar or high place (parrots perching on bars in their cages). 2 to put or be in a high position. | ||
| perchance (adverb) | (old) perhaps. | ||
| percussion (noun) | 1 the striking of one thing against another. 2 the sound thus made. 3 the drums and cymbals section of an orchestra. | ||
| perdition (noun) | 1 entire ruin (an army led to perdition by an incompetent general). 2 condemnation to hell (sinners facing perdition). | ||
| peremptory (adjective) | short and commanding (a peremptory manner). | ||
| perennial (adjective) | 1 lasting for ever, continual (their perennial complaints). 2 (of a plant) growing again year after year. n a perennial plant. | ||
| perfect (adjective) | 1 without fault, excellent (a perfect piece of work). 2 exact (a perfect copy). 3 complete, utter (a perfect fool). vb to finish, to make perfect. n perfection | ||
| perforate (verb) | to make a hole or row of holes through (perforating paper/a perforated ulcer). | ||
| perforation (noun) | a row of small holes, often to make tearing easy, as in sheets of stamps, etc. | ||
| perform (verb) | 1 to do, to carry out (perform her duties satisfactorily). 2 to show in a theater (perform a production of Hamlet). 3 to act in a play (they performed in a musical production). | ||
| performance (noun) | 1 act of doing or carrying out (the performance of their duties). 2 that which is done (admire their musical performance). 3 the acting of a play or part (we went to see a performance of Othello). | ||
| performer (noun) | an actor, musician, etc. | ||
| performing (adjective) | trained to act, do tricks, etc (performing animals). | ||
| perfume (noun) | 1 a sweet smell (the perfume of roses). 2 a sweet-smelling liquid, scent (buy a bottle of perfume). vb perfume 1 to apply perfume to. 2 to give a pleasant smell to (roses perfuming the garden). | ||
| perfumer (noun) | someone who makes perfume. | ||
| perfumery (noun) | 1 a place where perfumes are made or sold. 2 the art of making perfumes (a training in perfumery). | ||
| perfunctory (adjective) | done carelessly or without interest, badly done (a perfunctory cleaning of the room). | ||
| perhaps (adverb) | it may be, possibly. | ||
| peril (noun) | risk, danger (the perils of travel in those parts). | ||
| perilous (adjective) | dangerous (a perilous journey). | ||
| perimeter (noun) | 1 the total length of the line(s) enclosing a certain space or figure. 2 the boundaries of a camp or piece of land (the perimeter of the city). | ||
| period (noun) | 1 a certain length of time (a period of three months). 2 an age in history (the period of The Depression). 3 the dot or full stop marking the end of a sentence. 4 a time of menstruation. | ||
| periodic (adjective) | happening at regular intervals (periodic breakdowns in the system). | ||
| periodic table (noun) | a chart showing the arrangement of chemical elements and their connections to one another. | ||
| periodical (noun) | a newspaper or magazine that appears at regular intervals of a week, month, etc (a scientific periodical). | ||
| Periodontics | study of gums (see list of branches of science) | ||
| periphery (noun) | a boundary line (on the periphery of the city/on the periphery of the subject that she is studying). | ||
| periscope (noun) | an instrument in which mirrors are so arranged that one can see things on the surface of the land or sea when in a trench or submarine. | ||
| perish (verb) | 1 to die (soldiers who perished in the battle). 2 to pass away completely (a way of life that perished). 3 to rot away (rubber that perished). | ||
| perishable (adjective) | that will rot away under ordinary conditions (perishable food). | ||
| Peristerophily | collection of pigeons (see list of hobbies) | ||
| perjury (noun) | the saying on oath that a statement is true when one knows it to be false (a witness who committed perjury). | ||
| perk1 (verb) | perk up to cheer up (she perked up when she heard the good news). | ||
| perk2 n | see perquisite. | ||
| perky (adjective) | lively, cheerful (in a perky mood). n perkiness | ||
| perm (noun) | an artificial wave in the hair. | ||
| permanent (adjective) | lasting (a permanent dye per-ma-nense/. | ||
| permanent wave (noun) | see perm. | ||
| permeable (adjective) | allowing liquid, gases, etc, to pass through. | ||
| permeate (verb) | 1 to pass through, to spread through every part of (damp permeating the whole house/an organization permeated with politics). | ||
| permissible (adjective) | (formal) that can be allowed (it is not permissible to leave school early). | ||
| permission (noun) | leave, consent (get permission to leave early). | ||
| permissive (adjective) | (formal) allowing freedom (a permissive regime). | ||
| permit (verb) | (permitted , permitting ) to allow (the children are not permitted to leave the school premises). n a paper giving the holder the right to do certain things (a permit to sell things in the market). | ||
| permutation (noun) | 1 all the ways in which a series of things, numbers, etc, can be arranged. 2 one of these ways. | ||
| peroration (noun) | 1 (formal) the closing part of a speech. 2 a grand long speech, often meaningless. | ||
| peroxide (noun) | 1 a mixture of oxygen with another element to contain the greatest possible amount of oxygen. 2 a substance used for bleaching, e.g. the hair. | ||
| perpendicular (adjective) | 1 at right angles. 2 upright. n a line at right angles to another. | ||
| perpetrate (verb) | to commit, to do (perpetrating a crime). n perpetration n perpetrator | ||
| perpetual (adjective) | 1 lasting for ever (perpetual life). 2 continuing endlessly, uninterrupted (perpetual noise). | ||
| perpetuate (verb) | to make lasting (a system that perpetuates the old faults). n perpetuation | ||
| perpetuity (noun) | (formal) everlasting time. in perpetuity for ever. | ||
| perplex (verb) | to puzzle, to bewilder (perplexed by the flashing traffic signals). | ||
| perplexity (noun) | puzzlement, bewilderment. | ||
| perquisite (noun) | (usually shortened to perk ) money, goods, etc, gained from a job in addition to wages or salary. | ||
| persecute (verb) | to ill-treat, especially because of personal beliefs; to treat cruelly (persecuted for their religious faith). n persecution n persecutor | ||
| perseverance (noun) | the quality of continuing to try until one succeeds. | ||
| persevere (verb) | to keep on trying (if you don’t succeed at first, persevere/persevering with singing lessons). | ||
| persist (verb) | 1 to keep on doing (persist in telling lies). 2 to last (an infection that persisted). 3 not to give in despite difficulty. | ||
| persistence | Collective noun for parents (A persistence of parents) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| persistence (noun) | the quality of persisting; obstinacy. | ||
| persistent (adjective) | 1 keeping on trying, not giving in easily. 2 long, continuing (a persistent infection). | ||
| persnickety adj, also pernickety (Br) | overly fussy; being too concerned with small and unimportant things. | ||
| person (noun) | 1 a human being, a man, woman or child. 2 (formal) one’s body (drugs about one’s person). | ||
| personal (adjective) | 1 concerning a person’s own private life (personal belongings). 2 (of remarks) unkind. | ||
| personal identification number | see PIN. | ||
| personality (noun) | 1 the union of qualities that makes someone’s character different from those of other people (a cheerful personality). 2 a strong, distinct character (a woman of personality). 3 a well-known person (television personalities). | ||
| personally (adverb) | as far as one is concerned oneself (personally I think she is honest). | ||
| personate (verb) | (formal) to act the part of, to pretend to be (someone else). | ||
| personify (verb) | 1 to speak or write of a thing, quality, etc, as if it were a human being (innocence personified as a baby). 2 to be a perfect example of (he personifies optimism). n personification | ||
| personnel (noun) | the persons employed in an organization (highly qualified personnel). | ||
| perspective (noun) | 1 the art of drawing objects on a flat surface so that they appear farther or nearer as they do to the eye. 2 (formal) a view. see in perspective to see the real value or importance of things when compared with others (so upset that she was unable to see things in perspective). | ||
| Perspex™ (noun) | a tough transparent glass-like plastic. | ||
| perspicacious (adjective) | (formal) quick to notice or understand (perspicacious enough to spot the errors). | ||
| perspicacity (noun) | quickness or clearness of understanding. | ||
| perspire (verb) | to sweat (runners perspiring in the heat). n perspiration | ||
| persuade (verb) | to convince a person or get him or her to do as one wants by argument (persuading them to take part). | ||
| persuasion (noun) | 1 act of persuading. 2 (formal) a belief or set of beliefs (of the Christian persuasion). 3 a group holding certain beliefs. | ||
| persuasive (adjective) | good at gaining the agreement of others, able to influence others (a persuasive young man/a persuasive argument). | ||
| pert (adjective) | forward, cheeky (a pert young woman). n pertness | ||
| pertain (verb) | to belong, to have to do with (remarks not pertaining to the situation). | ||
| pertinent (adjective) | to the point, having to do with the subject. n pertinence , pertinency | ||
| perturb (verb) | to make worried or anxious, to disturb (perturbed by rumors of war). n perturbation | ||
| perusal (noun) | reading, study. | ||
| peruse (verb) | (formal) to read through, to examine carefully (perusing the contract). | ||
| pervade (verb) | to spread through (an area pervaded by disease). | ||
| pervasive (adjective) | spreading through all parts. | ||
| perverse (adjective) | 1 holding firmly to a wrong opinion. 2 continuing to do things that one knows to be wrong, unacceptable or forbidden (it was perverse of her to disobey her father). | ||
| perversion (noun) | the act of putting to a wrong or evil use (an unnatural perversion). | ||
| perversity (noun) | the quality of being perverse. | ||
| pervert (verb) | 1 to put to a wrong use (perverting the course of justice). 2 to teach wrong ways to. n someone who has formed unnatural habits (a pervert who preys on the young). | ||
| pervious (adjective) | (formal) that can be passed through. | ||
| peseta (noun) | a former Spanish coin. | ||
| pessimism (noun) | the belief that things generally turn out for the worst. n pessimist | ||
| pessimistic (adjective) | having to do with pessimism, gloomy (a pessimistic outlook on life). | ||
| pest (noun) | 1 something harmful. 2 an annoying person, a nuisance (that child is just a pest). 3 a destructive animal, insect, etc (farmers spraying crops to kill pests). | ||
| pester (verb) | to keep on annoying (children pestering their mother to buy ice cream). | ||
| pesticide (noun) | a chemical substance used to kill pests, especially insects which are harmful to crops and other plants (spray the roses with pesticide). | ||
| pestilence (noun) | any deadly disease that spreads quickly; plague. adj pestilential | ||
| pestilent (adjective) | causing pestilence or disease. | ||
| pestle (noun) | an instrument for pounding substances to powder (a mortar and pestle). | ||
| Pestology | science of pests (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pet (noun) | 1 a favorite child (a teacher’s pet). 2 a tame animal kept in the house as a companion (keep a dog as a pet). adj best-loved, favorite. vb (petted , petting ) 1 to treat lovingly. 2 to fondle. | ||
| petal (noun) | the leaf-shaped part of a flower. | ||
| peter (verb) | peter out to stop or disappear gradually (a mild protest that petered out). | ||
| petite (adjective) | tiny, dainty (a petite blonde). | ||
| petition (noun) | 1 a request. 2 a written request signed by a number of people (sign a petition against the new superhighway being built). 3 a prayer. vb 1 to make a request to someone able to grant it. 2 to put forward a written request (they petitioned the authorities for a new pedestrian crossing). n petitioner | ||
| petrel (noun) | a sea bird. | ||
| petrifaction (noun) | 1 turning into stone. 2 terror, amazement. | ||
| petrify (verb) | 1 to turn into stone. 2 to terrify, to astound (children petrified by the eerie music). | ||
| petrol (British spelling) | see gasoline. | ||
| petroleum (noun) | a heavy oil obtained from under the surface of the earth. | ||
| Petrology | study of rocks (see list of branches of science) | ||
| petrology (noun) | the study of the formation, composition and erosion of rocks. | ||
| petticoat (noun) | a woman’s undergarment. | ||
| pettish (adjective) | sulky (in a pettish mood). | ||
| petty (adjective) | 1 small, unimportant, trivial (petty crime). 2 mean-spirited (petty, spiteful people). | ||
| petty cash (noun) | money held in readiness to meet small expenses (take the money for stationery from petty cash). | ||
| petty officer (noun) | in the navy, a non-commissioned officer. | ||
| petulant (adjective) | easily angered or annoyed, peevish (he got tired of her petulant behavior). n petulance | ||
| petunia (noun) | 1 a flowering garden plant of various colors but often purple. 2 the purplish color of this flower. | ||
| pew (noun) | a seat in a church. | ||
| pewter (noun) | a mixture of tin and lead (the first prize was a goblet made of pewter). | ||
| pH (noun) | the measurement of the acid or alkaline content of something. | ||
| phaeton (noun) | (old) an open four-wheeled carriage drawn by a pair of horses. | ||
| Phagophobia | fear of swallowing or of eating or of being eaten (see list of phobias) | ||
| Phalacrophobia | fear of becoming bald (see list of phobias) | ||
| phalanx | Collective noun for umbrellas (A phalanx of umbrellas) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| phalanx (noun) | 1 (fml or old) a body of foot soldiers standing close to each other in battle. 2 a body of persons or animals standing close to each other (a phalanx of police officers held back the crowds as the movie stars arrived for the awards ceremony). | ||
| Phallophobia | fear of erections or fear of penis (see list of phobias) | ||
| phantom (noun) | a ghost. | ||
| pharaoh (noun) | a king of ancient Egypt. | ||
| pharmaceutical (adjective) | having to do with the making up of drugs or medicines. | ||
| Pharmacognosy | study of drugs of animal and plant origin (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Pharmacology | study of drugs (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Pharmacophobia | fear of taking medicine or fear of drugs (see list of phobias) | ||
| pharmacy (noun) | 1 the making up of drugs or medicines (study pharmacy). 2 a shop in which medicines are made up and sold (she was told to take the prescription to the pharmacy that evening). n pharmacist | ||
| Pharology | study of lighthouses (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pharyngitis (noun) | inflammation of the pharynx. | ||
| Pharyngology | study of the throat (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pharynx (noun) | the back part of the mouth. | ||
| phase (noun) | 1 a distinct stage in growth or development (the first phase of the building project). 2 apparent shape (e.g. of the moon). | ||
| Phasmophobia | fear of ghosts or phantoms (see list of phobias) | ||
| pheasant (noun) | a large bird hunted for sport (have roast pheasant for dinner). | ||
| Phengophobia | fear of daylight or sunshine (see list of phobias) | ||
| phenix (noun) | in ancient fables, a bird said to burn itself and rise again from its own ashes. | ||
| Phenology | study of organisms as affected by climate (see list of branches of science) | ||
| phenomenal (adjective) | unusual, extraordinary (a phenomenal talent). | ||
| Phenomenology | study of phenomena (see list of branches of science) | ||
| phenomenon (noun) | (pl phenomena ) 1 any natural happening that can be perceived by the senses. 2 anything unusual or extraordinary (snow in that part of the world is a phenomenon). | ||
| phial (noun) | a small glass bottle (a phial of poison). | ||
| philander (verb) | to flirt (he is always philandering with married women). n philanderer | ||
| philanthropy (noun) | love of humankind, shown by giving money, etc, to help those in need or to benefit the public. adj philanthropic n philanthropist | ||
| Philately | collection of postage stamps (see list of hobbies) | ||
| philately (noun) | stamp collecting. n philatelist | ||
| Philemaphobia | fear of kissing (see list of phobias) | ||
| Philematology | study of kissing (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Philematophobia | fear of kissing (see list of phobias) | ||
| philistine (noun) | an uncultured person (a philistine with no interest in books or the arts). | ||
| Phillumeny | collection of matchboxes/matchbooks (see list of hobbies) | ||
| Philology | study of ancient texts; historical linguistics (see list of branches of science) | ||
| philology (noun) | the study of languages, their history and development. n philologist | ||
| Philophobia | fear of falling in love or being in love (see list of phobias) | ||
| philosopher (noun) | 1 someone who tries to find by reasoning the causes and laws of all things. 2 someone who treats life calmly. | ||
| philosophic(al) (adjective) | 1 having to do with philosophy. 2 calm, not easily annoyed (of a philosophical turn of mind). | ||
| Philosophobia | fear of philosophy (see list of phobias) | ||
| Philosophy | study of knowledge or wisdom (see list of branches of science) | ||
| philosophy (noun) | 1 the study of the causes and laws of all things (study philosophy at university). 2 a particular way of thinking (his philosophy of life is to enjoy himself). | ||
| philter (noun) | (formal) a magic drink supposed to make the drinker fall in love. | ||
| phlebitis (noun) | inflammation of a vein of the body. | ||
| phlegm (noun) | the thick slimy liquid coughed up from the throat. | ||
| phlegmatic (adjective) | cool, not easily excited. | ||
| phlox (noun) | a garden plant with brightly colored flowers. | ||
| Phobia | A phobia is an irrational and extreme fear of something that’s unlikely to cause harm. (see list of phobias) | ||
| phobia (noun) | an unreasoning fear or dread (have a phobia about heights). | ||
| Phobophobia | fear of fear itself or of having a phobia (see list of phobias) | ||
| phone | the short form of telephone | ||
| phonetic (adjective) | having to do with the sounds of speech or pronunciation (the phonetic alphabet). npl phonetics the study of the sounds of speech. | ||
| Phoniatrics | study and treatment of organs involved in speech production (see list of branches of science) | ||
| phonic (adjective) | having to do with sound. | ||
| phonograph (noun) | (old) an instrument for recording sounds and playing them back. | ||
| Phonology | study of speech sounds (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Phonophobia | fear of loud noises or voices or phones (see list of phobias) | ||
| phony (adjective) | (informal) not genuine, not sincere, unreal (a phony workman/a phony interest in the arts). | ||
| phosphate (noun) | a type of salt mixed into soil to make it more fertile. | ||
| phosphorescence (noun) | a faint shining visible only in the dark. | ||
| phosphorescent (adjective) | giving out a faint light in the dark (phosphorescent paint). | ||
| phosphorous (noun) | a yellowish substance, easily set alight, giving out a faint light. | ||
| photo | the short form of photograph (she had some lovely photos of her vacation). | ||
| Photoaugliaphobia | fear of glaring lights (see list of phobias) | ||
| Photobiology | study of effects of light on organisms (see list of branches of science) | ||
| photocopy (noun) | a photographed copy (take a photocopy of the document). vb to make a photographed copy. | ||
| photogenic (adjective) | suitable for photographing (the girl was photogenic enough to be a professional model). | ||
| photograph (noun) | a picture in the form of a print, recorded by a camera on photosensitive material. abbreviation photo. vb to take a photograph. n photographer adj photographic | ||
| photography (noun) | the art of taking photographs. | ||
| photometer (noun) | an instrument for measuring the intensity of light. | ||
| Photonics | study of photons (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Photophobia | fear of light (see list of phobias) | ||
| phrase (noun) | 1 a small group of connected words expressing a single idea. 2 (music) a group of connected notes. vb to express in words (phrase his statement in simple language). | ||
| Phraseology | study of phrases (see list of branches of science) | ||
| phraseology (noun) | a manner or style of expressing in words (expressed in simple phraseology). | ||
| Phrenology | study of bumps on the head (see list of branches of science) | ||
| phrenology (noun) | 1 the belief that a person’s intelligence and abilities may be judged from the shape of his or her skull. 2 study of the shape of the skull based on this belief. n phrenologist | ||
| Phronemophobia | fear of thinking (see list of phobias) | ||
| Phthiriophobia | fear of lice (see list of phobias) | ||
| Phthisiophobia | fear of tuberculosis. (see list of phobias) | ||
| Phycology | study of algae and seaweeds (see list of branches of science) | ||
| physical (adjective) | 1 having to do with the body (a physical abnormality). 2 having to do with the natural world (the physical sciences). | ||
| physical therapy (noun) | the use of exercise or massage to improve mobility after illness or injury. | ||
| physician (noun) | a doctor, especially as opposed to a surgeon. | ||
| physicist (noun) | a student of physics. | ||
| Physics | study of properties of matter, force and energy (see list of branches of science) | ||
| physics (noun) | the study of matter, its properties, and the forces affecting it (e.g. heat, electricity, etc). | ||
| Physiology | study of processes of life (see list of branches of science) | ||
| physiology (noun) | the study of living bodies, their organs and the way they work. adj physiological n physiologist | ||
| physique (noun) | 1 the structure of a person’s body. 2 strength of body (athletes trying to improve their physique). | ||
| Phytology | study of plants (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pianissimo (adverb) | (music) very softly. | ||
| pianist (noun) | someone who plays on a piano. | ||
| piano1 , pianoforte (noun) | a musical instrument played by pressing down keys that cause little hammers to strike tuned strings. | ||
| piano2 (adverb) | (music) softly. | ||
| piazza (noun) | 1 an open square surrounded by buildings (cafés around the piazza). 2 (British spelling) a path under a roof supported by pillars. | ||
| piccolo (noun) | a small high-pitched flute. | ||
| pick1 (verb) | 1 to choose (pick a cookie from the plateful). 2 to pull or gather (pick flowers/pick raspberries). 3 to eat by small mouthfuls (pick at one’s food). 4 to open (a lock) with a tool. 5 to steal from (a pocket). n choice, the best. pick holes in to point out the faults in (pick holes in the argument). pick up 1 to take up (pick up his tools). 2 to learn as if by chance (pick up a foreign language). 3 to come upon by chance (pick up some interesting jewelry). | ||
| pick2 , pickax (noun) | a tool with a long pointed head, used for breaking up hard ground. etc (laborers breaking up the road surface with picks). | ||
| picket (noun) | 1 a pointed wooden post. 2 a small group of soldiers acting as a guard. 3 a number of people on strike who try to prevent others from going to work (pickets stopping trucks on the way into the factory). vb 1 to send out soldiers, strikers, etc, on picket. 2 to tie to a post. | ||
| pickle (noun) | 1 salt water or vinegar in which food is preserved (serve pickles with cold roast beef). 2 (informal) a difficult or unpleasant situation (in a fine old pickle). 3 pl vegetables, especially cucumber, preserved in vinegar. vb to preserve by putting in salt water, vinegar, etc. | ||
| pickpocket (noun) | someone who steals from pockets. | ||
| picnic (noun) | an outing taken for pleasure, during which a meal is eaten out of doors. Also vb. | ||
| pictorial (adjective) | told or illustrated by pictures (a pictorial description). | ||
| picture (noun) | a painting, drawing, photograh or other likeness; a portrait. vb 1 to imagine clearly (try to picture their distress). 2 (formal) to represent in a painting (the artist has pictured him as an old man). | ||
| picturesque (adjective) | that would make a good picture, striking in appearance, beautiful (a picturesque village). | ||
| pie (noun) | meat or fruit in or under a crust of pastry (a steak pie). | ||
| piece (noun) | 1 a bit (a piece of chewing gum). 2 a distinct part (put it together piece by piece). 3 a literary or musical composition. 4 (informal) a gun. 5 a short distance (down the road a piece). 6 a coin (a ten-cent piece). vb 1 to put (together). 2 to patch. | ||
| piecemeal (adverb) | 1 in or by pieces. 2 little by little. | ||
| piecework (noun) | work paid by the amount done, not by time. | ||
| pied (adjective) | (formal) of different colors, spotted. | ||
| pier (noun) | 1 a stone pillar supporting an arch, etc. 2 (British spelling) boardwalk. a wooden platform built out into the sea, often used as a landing place by boats. | ||
| pierce (verb) | 1 to make a hole through. 2 to go through (a dagger pierced her heart). | ||
| piercing (adjective) | 1 high-sounding (a piercing scream). 2 bright and intelligent-looking, staring (a piercing stare). | ||
| pig (noun) | 1 a common farm animal (we get pork and bacon from pigs). 2 a rough block or bar of smelted metal. vb (pigged , pigging ) (informal) to live in dirty or untidy surroundings (pig it in a student apartment). buy a pig in a poke to buy something without examining it first (buying goods at an auction can be like buying a pig in a poke). | ||
| pigeon (noun) | a dove. | ||
| pigeon-hole (noun) | one of several compartments in a desk for storing papers, letters, etc. | ||
| piggy bank (noun) | a small savings bank shaped like a pig. | ||
| pig-headed (adjective) | foolishly stubborn (too pig-headed to listen to advice). | ||
| pigment (noun) | any substance used for coloring (a red pigment). | ||
| pigmy | see pygmy. | ||
| pigpen (noun) | an enclosure for pigs. | ||
| pig-sticking (noun) | hunting wild boar with spears. | ||
| pigtail (noun) | a plait of hair hanging down the back or from each side of the head (a girl with pigtails). | ||
| pike1 (noun) | a large freshwater fish. | ||
| pike2 (noun) | (old) a long spear. | ||
| pilchard (noun) | a small edible sea fish. | ||
| pile | Collective noun for accidents (A pile of accidents) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pile | Collective noun for dung (A pile of dung) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pile | Collective noun for dust (A pile of dust) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pile | Collective noun for garbage (A pile of garbage) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pile | Collective noun for proctologists (A pile of proctologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pile1 (noun) | 1 a heap (a pile of rubbish). 2 (informal) a large and grand building (a stately pile) 3 a large amount of money (he made a pile from that contract). vb to heap up (rubbish piling up). | ||
| pile2 (noun) | one of a number of wooden posts driven into the ground as the foundation for a building. | ||
| pile3 (noun) | the soft wooly hair on cloth, carpets, etc. | ||
| pilfer (verb) | to steal small amounts or articles of small value (she had been pilfering money from the cash register). n pilferer | ||
| pilgrim (noun) | 1 someone who travels, often very far, to a holy place to worship. 2 npl the Pilgrims a group of people who left England because they were being persecuted for their religion, and came to America, founding the Plymouth colony in 1620. | ||
| pilgrimage (noun) | a journey made by a pilgrim (a pilgrimage to Bethlehem). | ||
| piling | Collective noun for construction workers (A piling of construction workers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pill (noun) | a tiny ball of medicine (vitamin pill). | ||
| pillar (noun) | 1 an upright of stone, wood, etc, for supporting an arch, roof, etc. 2 any person or thing that gives support (a pillar of the local tennis club). | ||
| pillow (noun) | in bed, a soft cushion for the head. | ||
| pillowcase (noun) | the cover put over a pillow. | ||
| pilot (noun) | 1 someone who steers an airplane. 2 someone who guides a ship in and out of harbor. vb 1 to steer an airplane (he pilots military aircraft). 2 to guide, to show the way (piloting ships into the harbor). | ||
| pimple (noun) | a small swelling on the skin (she was very self-conscious about the pimple on her chin). | ||
| pimply (adjective) | (informal) covered with pimples. | ||
| PIN | abbreviation for personal identification number a number, consisting of several digits, used to identify a person (enter your PIN to get money from the ATM). | ||
| pin (noun) | 1 a short pointed bar of wire with a flattened head, used for fastening cloth, paper etc (put up the hem of the dress with pins). 2 a wooden, metal, or plastic peg (have a pin put in his injured arm). 3 a bolt. 4 a narrow brooch (a silver pin). vb (pinned , pinning ) 1 to fasten with pins. 2 to hold firmly (to) (she pinned him against the wall). pins and needles a tingling feeling in a limb as the blood starts to flow freely through it again. | ||
| piñata (noun) | a container covered in coloured tissue paper, full of candy and gifts and used at parties when it is hung from the ceiling and hit with sticks until its contents spill out. | ||
| pincers (noun, plural) | 1 a tool for gripping things, such as nails, firmly. 2 claws (e.g. of a crab). | ||
| pinch (verb) | 1 to take or nip between the finger and thumb (pinch his arm). 2 to squeeze the flesh until it hurts. 3 (informal) to steal (pinch money from her mother’s purse). n 1 the amount that can be taken between the finger and thumb. 2 a small amount (a pinch of salt). 3 need, distress (feeling the pinch having no job). | ||
| pine cone (noun) | the scaly fruit of the pine tree. | ||
| pine1 (noun) | a cone-bearing evergreen tree. | ||
| pine2 (verb) | 1 to waste away with sorrow, pain, etc. 2 to long for. | ||
| pineapple (noun) | 1 a tropical American plant cultivated for its sweet-tasting fruit. 2 the fruit of this plant (she had a slice of pineapple for her dessert). | ||
| ping (noun) | a sharp sound, as of a bullet striking something metal. | ||
| pink1 (noun) | 1 a garden flower. 2 a light red color. 3 the state of being in the best of condition (in the pink). Also adj. | ||
| pink2 (verb) | to cut a zig-zag edge on cloth (pink the edges of the seams). | ||
| pinnacle (noun) | 1 a pointed tower or spire on a building. 2 a pointed mountain. 3 the highest point. | ||
| pinstripe (noun) | a very thin stripe running through a material. | ||
| pint | Collective noun for Irishmen (A pint of Irishmen) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pint (noun) | in the imperial system, the eighth part of a gallon (0.57 litre). | ||
| pioneer (noun) | 1 someone who goes before the main body to prepare the way, someone who is the first to try out new ideas etc (a pioneer of medical research in cancer). 2 an explorer. vb 1 to begin (pioneer the research). 2 to explore. | ||
| pious (adjective) | loving and worshipping God, religious (the congregation’s pious members). n piety. | ||
| pip (noun) | 1 seed of fruit (orange pips). 2 the spot on a card, dice, domino, etc. 3 one of the badges worn on an army officer’s shoulder to show his rank. | ||
| pipe (noun) | 1 a musical wind instrument (the pipes of Pan). 2 a long tube (water pipes). 3 a tube with a bowl at one end for smoking tobacco (smoke a pipe). 4 a shrill voice. 5 a bird’s note. 6 (formal) a measure of wine. vb 1 to play upon a pipe. 2 to make (water, gas, etc) pass through pipes (piping oil to the refinery). 3 to speak in a shrill voice. 4 to whistle. piping hot very hot. | ||
| pipeline (noun) | a long line of pipes to carry water, oil, etc. in the pipeline in preparation (plans in the pipeline). | ||
| piper (noun) | someone who plays a pipe or bagpipes. pay the piper to pay the bill. | ||
| piquant (adjective) | 1 sharp-tasting, appetizing (a piquant sauce). 2 witty, arousing interest. n piquancy | ||
| pique (noun) | irritation, anger caused by wounded pride. vb 1 to wound the pride of, to offend. 2 to arouse or excite (the preview piqued my interest). | ||
| pirate (noun) | 1 someone who attacks and robs ships at sea. 2 a person who does something without legal right (pirates who publish books without permission). Also vb. n piracy | ||
| pirouette (verb) | to turn round on the points of the toes, as in ballet. Also n. | ||
| Piscatology | study of fishes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pistachio (noun) | a nut with a green kernel. | ||
| Pisteology | study of faith (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pistil (noun) | the seed-bearing part of a flower. | ||
| pistol (noun) | a small firearm fired with one hand. | ||
| piston (noun) | a plug that fits closely into a hollow cylinder inside which it moves up and down (the pistons in the engine). | ||
| pit1 (noun) | 1 a deep hole in the earth. 2 the passageway leading down to a mine. 3 a mine (for coal, etc). 4 the area in front of the stage in a theater where the orchestra sits. 5 a trading area in a commodities exchange. vb (pitted , pitting ) 1 to lay in a pit. 2 to set against in order to outdo (pit his wits against theirs). | ||
| pit2 (noun) | the stone of fruits such as the peach, plum, or cherry. | ||
| pitch1 (verb) | 1 to set up (pitch a tent). 2 to throw (pitch a ball). 3 to fall heavily (he suddenly pitched forward). 4 to set the keynote of (a tune). 5 (of a ship) to dip down headfirst after rising on a wave. n 1 a throw. 2 the highness or lowness of a note in music. 3 the ground marked out for a game (a baseball pitch). pitched battle a set battle between two prepared armies. | ||
| pitch2 (noun) | a thick dark substance obtained from tar (as black as pitch). | ||
| pitcher1 (noun) | a container for liquids (a pitcher of water). | ||
| pitcher2 (noun) | the person who throws the ball to the batter in baseball. | ||
| pitchfork (noun) | a long-handled tool with prongs for moving hay. vb 1 to move with a pitchfork. 2 to put suddenly into a new situation. | ||
| pitfall (noun) | a trap (the pitfalls of business). | ||
| pith (noun) | 1 material just under the skin of an orange etc. 2 the soft center of the stem of a plant. 3 the most important part (the pith of his speech). | ||
| pithy | Collective noun for truths (A pithy of truths) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pithy (adjective) | short and to the point, forceful. | ||
| pitiable (adjective) | deserving pity (a pitiable sight). | ||
| pitta (bread) (noun) | an oval-shaped type of flat bread that can be opened to insert a filling. | ||
| pittance (noun) | a small allowance or wage (earn a pittance). | ||
| pitted (adjective) | marked with little hollows (her skin was pitted after years of having acne). | ||
| pity | Collective noun for prisoners (A pity of prisoners) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pity (noun) | sympathy for the pain or sorrow of others (feel pity for the homeless). vb to feel sorry for. adj pitiful , pitiless | ||
| pitying | Collective noun for turtledoves (A pitying of turtledoves) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pivot (noun) | 1 the pin on which anything (e.g. a wheel) turns. 2 the central point of anything (the pivot of the organization). | ||
| pivotal (adjective) | holding a central or important position (a pivotal role in the firm). | ||
| pixel (noun) | in computing or photography, one of many tiny dots that make up a larger picture (the picture is made up of 350 pixels per square inch). | ||
| pixie, pixy (noun) | a fairy. | ||
| pizza (noun) | a baked circle of dough covered with cheese, tomatoes, etc. | ||
| pizzeria (noun) | a restaurant where pizzas are baked and sold. | ||
| placard (noun) | a notice put up in a public place to announce or advertise something (carry a placard protesting against the new bill). | ||
| placate (verb) | to make calm or peaceful (placating their angry mother). | ||
| place (noun) | 1 an open space in a town. 2 a particular area of space. 3 a village, town, etc. 3 the post or position held by someone. 4 rank in society. 5 a passage in a book. vb 1 to put or set. 2 to decide from where a thing comes or where it ought to be. 3 to recognize. 4 to find a job for. | ||
| placebo (noun) | 1 an ineffective medication given to a control group in an experiment. 2 an action or assurance designed to humor someone. | ||
| placid (adjective) | calm, not easily angered or upset, gentle (a placid baby). n placidity | ||
| Placophobia | fear of tombstones (see list of phobias) | ||
| plagiarism (noun) | the act of stealing from another author’s works. n plagiarist | ||
| plagiarize (verb), | also plagiarise (British spelling) to use the words or ideas of another and pretend they are one’s own (plagiarizing his friend’s essay). | ||
| plague | Collective noun for locals (A plague of locals) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| plague | Collective noun for locusts (A plague of locusts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| plague (noun) | 1 a very infectious and dangerous disease (the Black Death was a dangerous plague in the Middle Ages). 2 (informal) a nuisance. vb (informal) to keep on annoying, to pester (plaguing us with questions). | ||
| plaice (noun) | an edible flat fish (plaice and chips). | ||
| plaid (noun) | 1 a type of checked cloth. 2 a large woolen shawl-like wrap, often of tartan, worn as part of Scottish Highland dress. | ||
| plain | Collective noun for farmers (A plain of farmers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| plain (adjective) | 1 clear, easily understood (plain English). 2 simple, bare, undecorated (plain living). 3 obvious (it was plain that she was guilty). n a stretch of level country. | ||
| plain sailing (noun) | something easy (getting into the building was plain sailing). | ||
| plain-spoken (adjective) | saying what one thinks, frank. | ||
| plaint | Collective noun for oboists (A plaint of oboists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| plaintiff (noun) | the person who brings a suit before a court of law. | ||
| plaintive (adjective) | sad, expressing sorrow (a plaintive sound). | ||
| plait , pleat (noun) | 1 a pigtail of intertwined hair. 2 a fold (e.g. in material). vb to twist together into a plait. | ||
| plan (noun) | 1 a drawing of the outlines made by an object on the ground, a map (a plan of the building). 2 a scheme of what is to happen on a future occasion (make plans for defeating the enemy). vb (planned , planning ) 1 to draw a plan of. 2 to arrange beforehand what should happen (plan their future actions). n planner. | ||
| plane1 (noun) | 1 a smooth or level surface. 2 a carpenter’s tool for giving wood a smooth surface. 3 a common short form of airplane adj level, smooth. vb to make smooth (planing the rough wood). | ||
| plane2, plane tree (noun) | a tall broad-leaved tree. | ||
| planet (noun) | one of the heavenly bodies moving in orbit round the sun. adj planetary | ||
| planetarium (noun) | 1 a building containing an optical device which simulates the motion of the sun, moon and planets against a backdrop of the stars. 2 a model of the planetary system. | ||
| Planetology | study of planets (see list of branches of science) | ||
| plank (noun) | a long flat piece of timber (a floor made of planks). | ||
| plankton (noun) | small living organisms found in the sea. | ||
| plant (noun) | 1 anything growing from the earth and feeding on it through its roots (garden plants). 2 the machinery and equipment used in a factory (industrial plant). vb 1 to put in the ground to grow (plant potatoes). 2 to set firmly (plant his feet on the ground). | ||
| plantain1 (noun) | a type of herb with broad leaves. | ||
| plantain2, plantain tree (noun) | a tropical tree with fruit like a banana. | ||
| plantation (noun) | 1 a wood planted by man. 2 a colony. 3 an estate on which a large amount of sugar, tea, cotton, etc, is cultivated. | ||
| planter (noun) | the owner or manager of a plantation (a rubber planter). | ||
| plaque (noun) | 1 an ornamental plate of metal, etc (a plaque on the wall in memory of the dead soldier). 2 a deposit of saliva and bacteria that forms on the teeth. | ||
| plasma (noun) | the liquid part of blood. | ||
| plaster (noun) | 1 a mixture of lime, water and sand spread over the walls of buildings to make them smooth. 2 an adhesive bandage used for dressing wounds, etc (put a plaster on his grazed knee). vb 1 to cover with plaster. 2 to spread over the surface of. | ||
| plaster cast (noun) | a rigid casing put around a broken limb for support while it is healing (his friends signed their names on his plaster cast). | ||
| plasterer (noun) | someone who plasters walls. | ||
| plastic (adjective) | easily shaped or molded. n one of a group of man-made substances that can be molded into any shape (chairs made of plastic). | ||
| plastic surgery (noun) | the reshaping of the human body by surgery (have plastic surgery to reshape his nose). | ||
| plate (noun) | 1 a shallow dish for food (serve the meat on the plates). 2 a flat piece of metal, glass, etc (the name of the company engraved on a plate on the wall). 3 gold and silver household articles (burglars stole the family plate). 4 a picture printed from an engraved piece of metal, etc. vb to cover with a thin coat of metal. | ||
| plateau (noun) | (pl plateaux or plateaus ) an extent of high level land, a tableland. | ||
| platform (noun) | 1 a raised part of the floor (for speakers, etc). 2 a bank built above ground level for those entering trains, etc. 3 statement of the aims of a group (the animal rights platform). | ||
| plating (noun) | the art of covering articles with a thin coat of metal (silver plating). | ||
| platinum (noun) | a valuable heavy grayish-white metal. | ||
| platitude | Collective noun for sophomores (A platitude of sophomores) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| platonic love (noun) | purely spiritual love between two human beings (a platonic relationship). | ||
| platoon (noun) | a small division of a company of infantry. | ||
| platter (noun) | a large flat plate or dish (a platter of cold meat). | ||
| platypus (noun) | an Australian mammal with jaws like a duck’s bill. | ||
| plausible (adjective) | that sounds convincing, seemingly true or truthful (a plausible excuse). n plausibility | ||
| play (verb) | 1 to amuse oneself (children playing). 2 to take part in a game or sport (play darts). 3 to gamble. 4 to act a part in a drama (play Hamlet). 5 to perform on a musical instrument (to play the piano). 6 to trifle with (she played with his affections). n 1 a drama (go to see a play in the local theater). 2 trifling amusement or sport (children engaged in play). 3 gambling. 4 free movement (the play of the rope). | ||
| player (noun) | 1 someone who takes part in a sport or drama. 2 a musical performer (piano-player). | ||
| playful (adjective) | fond of sport or amusement. | ||
| playground (noun) | a piece of ground set aside for children to play in. | ||
| playhouse (noun) | 1 (especially in titles) a theater. 2 a toy house large enough for children to play inside. | ||
| playmate (noun) | a childhood companion (his playmates at nursery school). | ||
| plaything (noun) | a toy. | ||
| playwright (noun) | someone who writes plays. | ||
| plea (noun) | 1 an excuse. 2 an earnest request. 3 the prisoner’s answer to the charge in a law court (a plea of not guilty). | ||
| plead (verb) | (pt, pp pled or pleaded ) 1 to request earnestly (plead for his friend’s release). 2 to put forward in excuse (plead that he was somewhere else). 3 to present one’s case or one’s client’s case in a court of law. | ||
| pleasant (adjective) | agreeable, enjoyable (a pleasant companion/a pleasant day). | ||
| please (verb) | 1 to make happy or content (do anything to please her). 2 to seem good to (music is pleasing to her). 3 to be so kind as to (close the window, please). | ||
| pleasurable (adjective) | giving pleasure (a pleasurable occasion). | ||
| pleasure (noun) | 1 delight, joy (get pleasure in her son’s happiness). 2 will or choice (at their pleasure). | ||
| pleat | see plait. | ||
| plectrum (noun) | a small instrument for plucking the strings of stringed instruments. | ||
| pledge (noun) | 1 a solemn promise (a pledge that he would look after her). 2 an object handed over to another to keep until a debt has been paid back to him or her. 3 a toast. vb 1 to promise solemnly (pledge that he would be present). 2 (formal) to give to keep until a debt has been repaid (pledging his watch at the pawnbroker’s). 3 to drink to the health of. | ||
| plenitude | Collective noun for freshmen (A plenitude of freshmen) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| plenitude (noun) | an abundance, completeness. | ||
| plentiful (adjective) | enough, more than enough (a plentiful supply). | ||
| plenty (noun) | all that is necessary, more than is necessary (there is plenty of food). | ||
| plethora (noun) | more than enough of anything (a plethora of second-hand clothes). | ||
| pliable (adjective) | 1 easily bent. 2 easily influenced (pliable people doing what she says). n pliability | ||
| pliant (adjective) | 1 easily bent. 2 easily influenced. n pliancy | ||
| pliers (noun, plural) | a small tool for gripping things firmly and for cutting wire (use pliers to pull out the nail). | ||
| plight1 (noun) | a difficult condition, situation (in an awkward financial plight). | ||
| plight2 (verb) | (old) to promise (plight their troth). | ||
| plinth (noun) | the square slab at the foot of a pillar or under a statue. | ||
| plod (verb) | (plodded , plodding ) to walk or work slowly and steadily (plodding home at the end of the day). | ||
| plodder (noun) | someone who, though not clever, makes progress by hard work. | ||
| plot (noun) | 1 a small piece of ground (a plot in the cemetery). 2 the planned arrangement of the events of a story, play, etc. 3 a secret plan against one or more persons (conspirators in a plot against the government). vb (plotted , plotting ) 1 to plan. 2 to form a plan against (plot against the government). 3 to mark out or set down on paper (plot a graph). n plotter | ||
| plow (noun), | also plough (British spelling) an instrument for turning up soil before seeds are sown. vb to turn up with a plow. | ||
| plowman (noun) | someone who plows, a farm laborer. | ||
| plowshare (noun) | the cutter or blade of a plow. | ||
| ploy (noun) | a devious tactic (his ploy to get rid of them worked). | ||
| pluck | Collective noun for firefighters (A pluck of firefighters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pluck (verb) | 1 to pick or gather (pluck roses). 2 to snatch (pluck the log from the fire). 3 to pull off the feathers (pluck the pheasant for dinner). n courage (have the pluck to face danger). | ||
| plucky (adjective) | brave (plucky fighters). | ||
| plug (noun) | an object that fits into a hole and stops it, a stopper. vb (plugged , plugging ) 1 to stop with a plug. 2 (informal) to publicize (plugging his new book on radio). | ||
| plum (noun) | a common stone-fruit. adj 1 a dark purple-red color. 2 desirable (a plum job). | ||
| plum pudding (noun) | a pudding containing currants, raisins, etc, flavored with spices. | ||
| plumage (noun) | the feathers of a bird. | ||
| plumb (noun) | a piece of lead on a string, lowered from the top of a wall to see that it is at right angles to the ground. adj straight up and down. adv 1 exactly (plumb between the eyes). 2 straight up and down 3 really, incredibly (plumb crazy). vb 1 to measure depth. 2 to study thoroughly (plumb the human mind). | ||
| plumber (noun) | a workman skilled in mending or fitting pipes, faucets, etc. | ||
| plumbing (noun) | 1 the work of a plumber. 2 all the pipes, faucets, etc, in a house (faulty plumbing). | ||
| plumbline (noun) | the string by which a plumb is lowered. | ||
| plume (noun) | 1 a feather. 2 an ornament of feathers in a hat, etc. | ||
| plummet (verb) | to drop down, to plunge. | ||
| Plumology | study of feathers (see list of branches of science) | ||
| plump | Collective noun for moorhens (A plump of moorhens) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| plump | Collective noun for waterfowl (A plump of waterfowl) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| plump | Collective noun for wildfowl (A plump of wildfowl) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| plump1 (adjective) | fat and rounded. vb to grow fat, to fatten (plump the turkeys for Christmas). n plumpness | ||
| plump2 (verb) | 1 to sit or fall suddenly (plump down on the sofa). 2 to choose (plump for the older candidate). adv suddenly or directly. | ||
| plunder | Collective noun for goons (A plunder of goons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| plunder (verb) | to steal by force, to rob. n that which is taken away by force (plunder taken by the enemy from the city). | ||
| plunge (verb) | 1 to thrust into water (plunging the vegetables into boiling water). 2 to jump or dive into water (plunge into the lake). 3 to rush (into) (plunge into marriage). n 1 a dive. 2 act of rushing. | ||
| pluperfect (noun) | see past perfect. | ||
| plural (adjective) | more than one in number. n the form(s) of a word indicating more than one. | ||
| pluralist (noun) | (formal) someone who holds more than one office. | ||
| plurality (noun) | (formal) 1 a number consisting of more than one. 2 the majority. | ||
| plus (preposition) | with the addition of (brains plus beauty). adj 1 more than (children who are twelve plus). 2 to be added, extra (a plus factor). n the sign (+) of addition. | ||
| plush (noun) | (informal) a velvety kind of cloth. adj luxurious (she is living in a very plush apartment). | ||
| Pluto (noun) | the second-largest dwarf planet in the solar system. | ||
| Plutology | study of wealth (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Plutophobia | fear of wealth (see list of phobias) | ||
| Pluviophobia | fear of rain or of being rained on (see list of phobias) | ||
| ply1 (verb) | 1 to work at (plying his trade). 2 to go regularly between two places (a ferry plied between the island and the mainland). 3 to use skillfully. | ||
| ply2 (noun) | a layer (four-ply wood). | ||
| plywood (noun) | strong board made up of several thin layers of wood stuck together. | ||
| pneumatic (adjective) | filled with air, moved by air. | ||
| Pneumatics | study of mechanics of gases (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Pneumatiphobia | fear of spirits (see list of phobias) | ||
| pneumonia (noun) | an inflammation of the lungs. | ||
| Pneumonology | study of diseases involving the respiratory tract (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Pnigerophobia | fear of choking of being smothered (see list of phobias) | ||
| Pnigophobia | fear of choking of being smothered (see list of phobias) | ||
| poach1 (verb) | to cook (fish, eggs, etc) lightly in liquid. | ||
| poach2 (verb) | to hunt unlawfully on another’s land (poach pheasants). n poacher | ||
| Collective noun for oranges (A pocket of oranges) (see list of collective nouns) | |||
| pocket (noun) | 1 a small bag attached to a garment, billiard table, suitcase, etc (a handkerchief in his top pocket). 2 a hollow in earth or rock filled with metal ore. 3 the hollow in a baseball mitt for catching the ball. vb 1 to put into a pocket (pocketing his winnings). 2 to steal. 3 to conceal (pocketed his pride). | ||
| pocket money (noun) | money carried about for immediate personal use. | ||
| pocketbook (noun) | a small bag or case for holding money, letters, etc, carried by a handle or in one’s pocket. | ||
| pockmarked (adjective) | marked with small hollows on the skin as a result of smallpox. | ||
| Pocrescophobia | fear of gaining weight (see list of phobias) | ||
| pod | Collective noun for dolphins (A pod of dolphins) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pod | Collective noun for peas (A pod of peas) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pod | Collective noun for whiting (A pod of whiting) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pod (noun) | the covering of the seed of plants, such as peas, beans, etc. | ||
| podcast (noun) | a free audio or video file, downloadable from a website and playable on computers, iPods™, etc. | ||
| podgy (adjective) | (informal) short and fat. | ||
| Podiatry | study of disorders of the foot; chiropody (see list of branches of science) | ||
| podium | Collective noun for orators (A podium of orators) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Podology | study of the feet (see list of branches of science) | ||
| poem (noun) | a piece of writing set down in memorable language and in lines with a recognizable rhythm. | ||
| poems on women empowerment | collection of poems on women empowerment) | ||
| poet (noun) | someone who writes poetry. f poetess | ||
| poetic , poetical (adjective) | 1 having to do with poetry. 2 suitable for poetry (poetic language). | ||
| poetry (noun) | ideas, feelings, etc, expressed in memorable words and rhythmical language. | ||
| Pogonology | study of beards (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Pogonophobia | fear of beards (see list of phobias) | ||
| poignant (adjective) | painful and deeply felt (poignant memories). | ||
| Poinephobia | fear of punishment (see list of phobias) | ||
| point (noun) | 1 the sharp end of anything (the point of the knife). 2 a headland. 3 a dot. 4 the exact place or time. 5 the purpose for which something is said or written (fail to see the point of his speech). 6 a single stage in an argument or list. 7 the unit of scoring in certain games (a team three points ahead). 8 pl (British spelling) see switch. vb 1 to show the direction of with a finger, stick, etc (point out the house to them). 2 to sharpen. 3 to aim (point the gun at them). 4 (of dogs) to show the direction of game with the nose. make a point of to attach special importance to. on the point of about to (on the point of leaving). | ||
| pointed (adjective) | 1 sharp (with a pointed edge). 2 meant to be understood in a certain way (a pointed remark). | ||
| pointer (noun) | 1 a rod for pointing with (indicate the place on the map with a pointer). 2 a dog trained to point out game. | ||
| pointless (adjective) | having no meaning, having no sensible purpose (a pointless exercise). | ||
| poise (noun) | 1 balance. 2 calmness and good sense (enough poise to cope with the situation). vb 1 to balance. 2 to hover (poised ready to intervene). | ||
| poison (noun) | 1 any substance that when taken into a living creature (animal or vegetable) harms or kills it. 2 any idea, etc, that when spread through society causes standards of judgment to become lower. vb 1 to give poison to. 2 to kill by poison. | ||
| poisonous (adjective) | 1 being or containing poison (poisonous berries). 2 having a very harmful influence (poisonous influences on society). | ||
| poke | Collective noun for fencers (A poke of fencers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| poke (verb) | to push with something pointed (e.g. a finger, stick, etc); to prod. n a prod given with something pointed (a poke in the ribs). poke fun at to make fun of. poke one’s nose into to interfere in what does not concern one. | ||
| poker (noun) | 1 a metal rod for stirring the coal, etc, in a fire. 2 a card game, usually played for money. | ||
| poky (adjective) | (informal) small and confined (a family living in a poky apartment). | ||
| polar (adjective) | of or near one of the poles of the earth (the polar regions). | ||
| polar bear (noun) | the white bear of Arctic regions. | ||
| polarize (verb), | also polarise (British spelling) 1 to make to work in the same direction. 2 to divide into groups based on two completely opposite opinions, attitudes, etc. | ||
| pole1 (noun) | 1 a long rod. 2 a long rounded post. 3 in the imperial system, a measure of length (= 5.03 meters). | ||
| pole2 (noun) | 1 one of the ends of the axis of the earth. 2 one of the points in the sky opposite the poles of the earth (celestial poles). 3 the end of either of the two arms of a magnet. | ||
| polecat (noun) | a weasel-like animal that throws out a foul-smelling liquid when attacked. | ||
| Polemology | study of war (see list of branches of science) | ||
| polestar, Pole Star (noun) | a particular star at or near the celestial North Pole, used for finding directions. | ||
| police (noun) | a body of persons whose job is to keep public order and see that the law is kept. vb to see that law and order are kept (policing the area). n policeman , police officer , policewoman | ||
| policy (noun) | 1 the methods or plans of a government or party. 2 a plan for a course of action (a marketing policy). 3 a written agreement with an insurance company (a household insurance policy). | ||
| Poliosophobia | fear of contracting poliomyelitis (see list of phobias) | ||
| polish (verb) | 1 to make smooth and shining by rubbing (polish the table). 2 to improve, to refine (manners requiring polishing). n 1 a smooth shiny surface. 2 any substance rubbed on to make smooth and shiny. 3 good manners, refinement (sent to finishing school to acquire polish). | ||
| polite (adjective) | well-mannered, refined (polite children). n politeness | ||
| political (adjective) | having to do with politics (political motives). | ||
| politically correct (adjective) | of language that is designed to avoid giving offence to particular groups of people, usually people who are often discriminated against (often abbreviated to PC). n political correctness | ||
| politician (noun) | 1 a statesman whose work is concerned with the public affairs or government of a country. 2 someone who seeks political office for selfish motives. | ||
| Politicophobia | fear or abnormal dislike of politicians (see list of phobias) | ||
| politics (noun) | the art or study of government; political matters (go in for politics). | ||
| polka (noun) | a quick lively dance. | ||
| poll (noun) | 1 an election (a poll to elect a president). 2 the number of votes (a small poll). vb 1 to record the vote of. 2 to receive a vote or votes (he polled over twenty thousand votes). | ||
| pollen (noun) | the yellow dust on a flower that when united to seeds makes them grow. | ||
| pollinate (verb) | to make pollen unite with the seed. n pollination | ||
| pollutant (noun) | something which pollutes. | ||
| pollute (verb) | to make filthy or unfit for use (water polluted by industrial waste). n pollution | ||
| polo (noun) | a game like hockey played on horseback. | ||
| poltergeist (noun) | a mischievous spirit or ghost (believe that a poltergeist was throwing things around the room). | ||
| poly- | prefix many. | ||
| polyester (noun) | a synthetic fiber used to make fabric. | ||
| Polyphobia | fear of many things or fear of everything (see list of phobias) | ||
| polythene (noun) | a man-made plastic material resistant to chemicals and moisture (bags made of polythene). | ||
| pomegranate (noun) | a large thick-skinned fruit containing many red, juicy, edible seeds. | ||
| Pomology | study of fruit-growing (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pomp (noun) | splendid show or display, grandeur (a procession full of pomp). | ||
| pomposity (noun) | act of being pompous. | ||
| pompous (adjective) | trying to appear dignified or important (a pompous old fool). | ||
| poncho (noun) | a circular or rectangular cloak with a hole in the middle to put the head through. | ||
| pond (noun) | a large pool of standing water. | ||
| ponder | Collective noun for philosophers (A ponder of philosophers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| ponder (verb) | (formal) to think deeply, to consider carefully (ponder the problems of the situation). | ||
| ponderous (adjective) | 1 (formal) very heavy (a ponderous load). 2 slow, dull (with ponderous steps). | ||
| Ponophobia | fear of overworking or of pain (see list of phobias) | ||
| pontiff (noun) | 1 a bishop. 2 the pope. | ||
| pontifical (adjective) | 1 having to do with a bishop or the pope. 2 pompous. | ||
| pontificate (verb) | 1 (formal) to state one’s opinions pompously, as if stating undoubted facts (pontificating on the state of the country). 2 to act as a pontiff. n the office or reign of a pontiff. | ||
| pontoon1 (noun) | a card game, usually played for money. | ||
| pontoon2 (noun) | a flat-bottomed boat used as a support for a bridge. | ||
| pony (noun) | a small horse (the little girl was given a pony for her birthday). | ||
| poodle (noun) | a pet dog with curly hair, often clipped to leave part of its coat very short. | ||
| pooh-pooh (verb) | (informal) to sneer at, to speak scornfully of (an idea) as foolish (pooh-poohed their efforts to help). | ||
| pool1 (noun) | 1 a puddle. 2 a deep place in a stream or river. 3 an area of still water (a swimming pool). | ||
| pool2 (noun) | 1 all the money bet on a certain game or event. 2 a collection of resources, money, etc, for sharing, communal use, etc (a typing pool). vb to put together the goods, etc, of individuals for use by the whole group (pooling their resources). | ||
| poop1 (noun) | the back part of a ship, the stern. | ||
| poop2 (verb) | to cause to become exhausted (many people dropped out of the race, pooped by their efforts to finish in a good time on such a hot day) | ||
| poor (adjective) | 1 having little money. 2 unfortunate (sorry for the poor soul). 3 bad (poor weather). | ||
| poorly (adjective) | unwell (too poorly to go to work). | ||
| pop (noun) | a sharp, low sound (the pop of a cork being pulled from a bottle). vb (popped , popping ) 1 to make a sharp low sound. 2 to move quickly or suddenly (the child popped out from behind the door). | ||
| pop music (noun) | popular tunes of the day. | ||
| pope (noun) | the head of the Roman Catholic church. | ||
| poplar (noun) | a tall slender tree. | ||
| poppy (noun) | a plant with brightly colored flowers (red poppies). | ||
| populace (noun) | (formal) the common people (ideas disliked by the populace). | ||
| popular (adjective) | 1 having to do with the people (popular issues). 2 well liked by most people (a popular young woman). | ||
| popularity (noun) | the state of being liked by most people. | ||
| popularize (verb), | also popularise (British spelling) to make popular (popularizing the fashion for short skirts). | ||
| populate (verb) | to provide with inhabitants (an island mainly populated by old people). | ||
| population (noun) | all the people living in a place. | ||
| populous (adjective) | having many inhabitants (the more populous areas of the world). | ||
| porcelain (noun) | fine pottery. | ||
| porch (noun) | a roofed approach to a door. | ||
| porcupine (noun) | an animal like the rat, covered with prickly quills. | ||
| pore1 (noun) | a tiny opening, especially in the skin (blocked pores). | ||
| pore2 (verb) | pore over to study closely (poring over the map). | ||
| pork (noun) | the meat obtained from a pig (roast pork). | ||
| Pornophobia | dislike or fear of pornography (see list of phobias) | ||
| porous (adjective) | having small holes through which liquid may pass (porous substances). | ||
| Porphyrophobia | fear of the color purple (see list of phobias) | ||
| porpoise (noun) | a sea animal about 1.5 meters long. | ||
| porridge (noun) | a food made from oatmeal boiled in water or milk to make a thick broth (have porridge for breakfast). | ||
| port1 (noun) | 1 a harbor. 2 a place with a harbor (a small port in the south of the country). | ||
| port2 (noun) | an opening in the side of a ship. | ||
| port3 (noun) | the left side of a ship (looking forward), larboard. | ||
| port4 (noun) | a dark sweet red wine (serve port after dinner). | ||
| portable (adjective) | able to be carried about (a portable television). | ||
| portal (noun) | (formal) a doorway, a gateway. | ||
| portcullis (noun) | a grating of criss-cross iron bars that can be lowered suddenly to close the gateway of a castle against attackers. | ||
| porter1 (noun) | someone who carries loads, baggage, etc, for others (the station porter carried my bags onto the train). | ||
| porter2 (noun) | a dark-brown beer (specialized porter brews continue the tradition of aging in barrels). | ||
| portfolio | Collective noun for pictures (A portfolio of pictures) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| portfolio | Collective noun for stockbrokers (A portfolio of stockbrokers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| portfolio (noun) | 1 a case for carrying loose papers, drawings etc. 2 the office of a minister of state (the trade and industry portfolio). | ||
| porthole (noun) | a small window in the side of a ship. | ||
| portico (noun) | (pl porticoes or porticos ) 1 a roof supported by a row of pillars, jutting out at the front of a building. 2 a roofed approach to a door. 3 a path covered by a roof supported by pillars. | ||
| portion (noun) | 1 a share (take a portion of the blame). 2 a helping (a large portion of cake). 3 the money and property given to a woman at the time of her marriage. 4 (fml or old) one’s fate (poverty has been her portion). 5 a part (the front portion of the train). vb 1 to divide up. 2 to give a share to. | ||
| portly (adjective) | stout (a portly old gentleman). | ||
| portrait (noun) | 1 a picture of a person (paint her portrait in oils). 2 a good description (a pen portrait of her grandmother). | ||
| portraiture (noun) | 1 the drawing of portraits. 2 describing in words. | ||
| portray (verb) | 1 to draw or paint (a painting portraying children playing). 2 to describe (in her account of the accident the driver of the car is portrayed as a very stupid man). | ||
| portrayal (noun) | the act of portraying. | ||
| pose (verb) | 1 to put (posing a question). 2 to put on or take up a certain attitude (pose for an artist). 3 to pretend to be what one is not (burglars posing as laborers). n 1 position, attitude. 2 a pretense of being what one is not. 3 a false manner or attitude. | ||
| position (noun) | 1 place (the house’s position by the lake). 2 rank, grade (finish in second position in the race). 3 job (a junior position in the firm). 4 state of affairs (their financial position). 5 a place occupied by troops during battle. vb to place. | ||
| positive (adjective) | 1 sure (positive that she saw him). 2 certain, definite (positive proof). 3 confident (a positive manner). 4 greater than zero (a positive number). 5 really existing. 6 active, leading to practical action (positive action). | ||
| positively (adverb) | completely, really (positively the last time). | ||
| Posology | study of quantity or dosage (see list of branches of science) | ||
| posse | Collective noun for police (A posse of police) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| posse | Collective noun for posers (A posse of posers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| posse | Collective noun for sheriffs (A posse of sheriffs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| posse (noun) | (informal) a group of people with a shared interest or purpose ( a posse of newspaper reporters). | ||
| possess (verb) | 1 to have as one’s own (possess great wealth). 2 (formal) to control the mind of (possessed by a great rage). adj possessed | ||
| possession (noun) | 1 the act of possessing. 2 ownership. 3 control by evil spirits. | ||
| possessive (adjective) | 1 showing possession (a possessive pronoun). 2 liking to possess or own, unwilling to share (a possessive lover). | ||
| possessor (noun) | someone who possesses (the possessor of a new car). | ||
| possibility (noun) | something possible (no possibility of improvement). | ||
| possible (adjective) | 1 that may be true (it is possible that she is dead). 2 that may exist (possible proof). 3 that can be done (possible courses of action). | ||
| possibly (adverb) | perhaps, maybe. | ||
| post- | prefix after. | ||
| post office (noun) | an office where stamps may be bought, letters posted, etc. | ||
| post1 (noun) | a strong pole or length of wood stuck upright in the ground (posts to make a fence). vb to put up on a post, noticeboard, etc (post notices about the show). | ||
| post2 (noun) | 1 one’s place of duty (soldiers at their posts). 2 one’s job (seek a new post). 3 a military camp. 4 a settlement. 5 (British spelling) the official system by which letters, etc, are sent from one place to another. vb 1 to send to a certain place of duty (post soldiers overseas). 2 (old) to hurry. 3 (old) to travel on horseback changing horses at regular intervals. 4 to supply with the latest news (keep them posted). 5 (British spelling) to send by post. | ||
| postage (noun) | the charge for sending something by mail (postage has gone up). | ||
| Postal Service (noun) | the agency which sells stamps, and collects and delivers the mail in the United States. | ||
| postcard (noun) | a card on which a message may be written and which can be mailed without an envelope. | ||
| postdate (verb) | to indicate a date later than the actual one (postdating a check). | ||
| poster (noun) | a large printed notice for public display (a poster advertising the concert). | ||
| posterior (adjective) | (formal) 1 later. 2 placed behind. | ||
| posterity (noun) | one’s descendants, later generations (paintings preserved for posterity). | ||
| posthumous (adjective) | 1 happening after someone’s death (he was awarded a posthumous medal for bravery). 2 born after the father’s death (a posthumous son). 3 published after the author’s death (a posthumous novel). | ||
| postmortem (adjective) | after death. n an examination of a body after death to find out the cause of death (a postmortem after sudden death). | ||
| postnatal (adjective) | after birth. | ||
| postpone (verb) | to put off till a later time (postponing the meeting till next week). n postponement | ||
| postponement | Collective noun for trains (A postponement of trains) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| postscript (noun) | something extra written at the end of a letter after the signature (she gave me the latest information in a postscript). abbreviation PS. | ||
| posture (noun) | 1 a way of holding oneself (a slouched posture). 2 an attitude. vb 1 to hold oneself in a certain way. 2 (formal) to behave in a way not natural to oneself (posturing in front of an audience). | ||
| posy (noun) | a small bunch of flowers (bridesmaids carrying posies). | ||
| pot | Collective noun for dieters (A pot of dieters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pot (noun) | 1 a vessel for cooking in (a pot of soup). 2 a vessel for holding plants, liquids, etc (a plant pot). vb (potted , potting ) to put in a pot (pot plants). | ||
| pot luck (noun) | 1 whatever food is ready (come for a meal and take pot luck). 2 whatever is available (go to the cinema and take pot luck). | ||
| pot shot (noun) | 1 a chance or random shot. 2 a criticism made without careful thought. | ||
| Potamology | study of rivers (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Potamophobia | fear of rivers or running water (see list of phobias) | ||
| potash (noun) | a substance obtained from the ashes of certain plants. | ||
| potassium (noun) | the metallic base of potash. | ||
| potato (noun) | (pl potatoes ) a plant the tubers of which are eaten as vegetables (mashed potatoes). | ||
| potency (noun) | power. | ||
| potent (adjective) | strong, powerful (a potent influence). | ||
| potential (adjective) | existing but not made use of; possible (potential trouble). n the unrealized ability to do something. | ||
| potentiality (noun) | unused or undeveloped power(s) (the potentiality of the pupils). | ||
| pothole (noun) | 1 a hole in the surface of a road (potholes made driving difficult). 2 a deep hole in limestone. | ||
| potholing (noun) | the exploring of limestone potholes. | ||
| potion (noun) | (lit) a dose; a liquid medicine (a love potion). | ||
| Potophobia | fear of alcohol (see list of phobias) | ||
| potpourri (noun) | 1 (old) a dish of several foods cooked together. 2 a mixture of dried pieces of sweet-smelling flowers and leaves. 3 (formal) a selection of writings or pieces of music; a miscellany. | ||
| pottage (noun) | (old) a thick soup or porridge. | ||
| potter (noun) | someone who makes earthenware vessels. vb (British spelling) to putter. | ||
| pottery (noun) | 1 cups, plates, etc, made of earthenware (a shop selling pottery). 2 a potter’s workshop. | ||
| pouch (noun) | a small bag (a tobacco pouch). | ||
| pouf | Collective noun for hairdressers (A pouf of hairdressers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| poulterer (noun) | someone who buys and sells poultry. | ||
| poultice (noun) | a dressing containing some soft material, often heated, and placed on or over a sore part of the body (put a poultice on the boil). vb to put a poultice on. | ||
| poultry (noun) | farmyard fowls (their poultry have access to lots of outdoor space). | ||
| pounce (noun) | 1 a sudden jump on (with one pounce she was on him). 2 the claw of a bird. vb 1 to jump on suddenly (the cat pouncing on the mouse). 2 to attack suddenly (the mugger pounced on the old man). | ||
| pound | Collective noun for carpenters (A pound of carpenters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pound | Collective noun for Englishmen (A pound of Englishmen) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pound | Collective noun for pianists (A pound of pianists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pound1 (noun) | 1 in the imperial system, a measure of weight (= 16 ounces or 0.454 kilogram). 2 a British unit of money (100 pence) (a pound coin). | ||
| pound2 (verb) | 1 to beat hard (with heart pounding). 2 to crush into powder or small pieces (pound the spices into a powder). 3 to walk repeatedly (he pounded the streets looking for work). | ||
| pound3 (noun) | 1 an enclosure for lost cattle. 2 a place for holding someone’s property until claimed (a car pound). | ||
| pour (verb) | 1 to cause to flow (pour milk from the jug). 2 to flow strongly (blood poured from the wound). 3 to rain heavily (it was pouring). 4 to move in great quantity or in large numbers (children pouring out of school). | ||
| pout (verb) | to thrust out the lips in displeasure, to look sulky (the child pouted when she did not get what she wanted). n a sulky look. | ||
| poverty | Collective noun for pipers (A poverty of pipers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| poverty (noun) | lack of money or goods; want; the state of being poor (live in poverty). | ||
| poverty-stricken (adjective) | very poor. | ||
| powder (noun) | 1 any substance in the form of tiny dry particles (talcum powder). 2 gunpowder. vb 1 to make into a powder. 2 to put powder on (powder her face). | ||
| powdery (adjective) | 1 dust-like (powdery snow). 2 covered with powder. | ||
| power (noun) | 1 the ability to act or do (the power of speech). 2 strength, force (hit the rock with great power). 3 influence (use her power on the committee). 4 control (people in his power). 5 a strong nation (the great powers of the world). 6 mechanical energy (the car’s power). adj powerful , powerless | ||
| power station (noun) | a place where electrical power is generated. | ||
| powerhouse (noun) | 1 a power station. 2 (informal) a strong or energetic person, team, etc. | ||
| powwow (noun) | 1 (informal) a friendly discussion. 2 (old) a conference among Native Americans. | ||
| practicable (adjective) | that can be done, possible (a plan that is simply not practicable). | ||
| practical (adjective) | 1 skillful in work, able to deal with things efficiently (a practical person dealing with household emergencies). 2 that can be carried out, useful (practical suggestions). 3 concerned with action rather than with ideas. adv practically | ||
| practicality (noun) | usefulness. | ||
| practice (noun) | 1 (formal) habit, frequent use (it was his practice to walk to work). 2 the doing of an action often to improve one’s skill (piano practice). 3 a doctor or lawyer’s business. vb 1 to do frequently (practicing self-control). 2 to do often in order to improve one’s skill (practice playing the piano). 3 to carry on a profession (practice medicine). | ||
| practitioner (noun) | someone who practices a profession (a medical practitioner). | ||
| pragmatic (adjective) | concerned with practicalities rather than theories (a pragmatic solution to the problem). | ||
| pragmatism (noun) | the judging of actions or events by their practical outcome. | ||
| prairie (noun) | an extent of level treeless grassland. | ||
| praise (verb) | 1 to speak well of, to speak in honor of (praising the boy for rescuing his friend/praising his brave action). 2 to worship, as by singing hymns, etc (praise God). n 1 an expression of credit or honor. 2 glory, worship expressed through song. | ||
| praiseworthy (adjective) | deserving to be spoken well of (a praiseworthy act). | ||
| prance | Collective noun for equestrians (A prance of equestrians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| prance (verb) | 1 to jump about (children prancing about with delight/horses prancing). 2 to walk in a showy manner (prance about showing off her new shoes). | ||
| prank (noun) | a trick played in fun (children playing pranks on their parents). | ||
| pratfall | Collective noun for clowns (A pratfall of clowns) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| prattle (verb) | to talk a lot and foolishly, to chatter like a young child (prattling about her vacation). n foolish or childish talk. | ||
| prawn (noun) | an edible shellfish like a large shrimp. | ||
| Praxeology | study of practical or efficient activity; science of efficient action (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pray (verb) | 1 to beg for, to ask earnestly (pray for forgiveness). 2 to speak to God in worship, thanksgiving, etc. | ||
| prayer (noun) | 1 an earnest request. 2 words addressed to God in worship, thanksgiving, etc. | ||
| prayerbook (noun) | a book containing prayers, order of services, etc. | ||
| pre- | prefix before. | ||
| preach (verb) | 1 to speak in public on a religious or sacred subject (ministers preaching to their congregations on Sunday). 2 to give advice on how to behave correctly (parents preaching the importance of studying hard). n preacher | ||
| preamble (noun) | (formal) the introductory part of a statute or constitution, speech, piece of writing, etc (bored by the long preamble to the novel). | ||
| prearrange (verb) | to arrange beforehand. | ||
| precarious (adjective) | uncertain, dangerous (a precarious existence). | ||
| precaution (noun) | something done to prevent future trouble. adj precautionary | ||
| precede (verb) | to come or go before in time, place or importance (the tenants preceding him). | ||
| precedence (noun) | 1 being earlier in time. 2 greater importance (give precedence to the subject at the meeting). 3 order according to rank (admirals take precedence over vice-admirals). | ||
| precedent (noun) | an earlier case that helps one to decide what to do in like circumstances (the judge basing his sentence on precedents). | ||
| preceding (adjective) | previous (during the preceding month). | ||
| precinct (noun) | 1 a division within a city for administrative or policing purposes. 2 an electoral district. 3 the land round and belonging to a building. 4 pl the grounds. 5 a part laid out for a particular use (a shopping precinct/a pedestrian precinct). | ||
| precious (adjective) | 1 of great worth or value. 2 too deliberate, too concerned with perfection or unimportant detail (a precious prose style). | ||
| precipice (noun) | a very steep cliff. | ||
| precipitate (verb) | 1 to rain, hail sleet or snow. 2 (formal) to throw down headfirst (the horse precipitated him into the ditch). 3 to make happen at once (his speech precipitated war). 4 to hasten (his mother’s illness precipitated his departure). 4 to cause the solid matter in a liquid to sink to the foot. adj thoughtless, overhasty (a precipitate action). n the solid matter that settles at the bottom of a liquid. | ||
| precipitation (noun) | the fall of water from the sky in the form of rain, hail, sleet, or snow. | ||
| precise (adjective) | 1 exact, clearly expressed (precise instructions). 2 careful (a precise speaker). 3 exact, particular, very (at that precise moment). n precision | ||
| precocious (adjective) | (of a child) too clever for one’s age, forward. n precocity | ||
| predator (noun) | an animal that hunts other animals for food (a lion is a predator). | ||
| predatory (adjective) | living by killing or robbing others (predatory animals such as foxes). | ||
| predecessor (noun) | someone who held a certain post before another (younger than his predecessors). | ||
| predestination (noun) | the belief that God has settled beforehand everything that is to happen, including the fate of people in the afterlife. | ||
| predestine (verb) | to settle or decide beforehand (the plan seemed predestined to fail). | ||
| predetermine (verb) | (formal) to decide beforehand (predetermine the problem areas). | ||
| predicament (noun) | a difficulty, an unpleasant situation (an embarrassing predicament). | ||
| predicate (noun) | the part of sentence, containing a verb, which tells you what the subject or object does, or what is done to it. | ||
| predict (verb) | to say what will happen in the future, to foretell (predict a change in the weather). n prediction | ||
| predilection (noun) | (formal) a preference (a predilection for expensive perfume). | ||
| predispose (verb) | to influence, to make more likely to be affected by. | ||
| predisposition (noun) | a tendency to be influenced or affected by (children with a predisposition to asthma). | ||
| predominance (noun) | 1 control (predominance over other political parties). 2 superiority in numbers, etc (the predominance of objectors). | ||
| predominant (adjective) | 1 outstanding (the predominant color). 2 largest (a predominant number of protesters). | ||
| predominate (verb) | 1 to have control over (the left wing of the party is said to predominate). 2 to be most or greatest (the “no” votes predominating over the “yes” votes). | ||
| pre-empt (verb) | to take action to stop something from happening (he pre-empted his tenant’s complaint by fixing the roof). | ||
| preen (verb) | 1 (of birds) to clean the feathers with the beak. 2 to tidy one’s hair, clothes, etc (preening herself in front of the mirror). | ||
| prefabricate (verb) | to make ready the parts (especially of a building) for putting together on site (prefabricated houses). | ||
| preface (noun) | an explanatory passage at the beginning of a speech or book. vb to begin with some explanation or other remarks. | ||
| prefect (noun) | 1 someone placed over others. 2 a senior pupil who helps to keep order in a school. | ||
| prefer (verb) | (preferred , preferring ) to like better; to choose before others (prefer lamb to beef/prefer his brother to him). | ||
| preferable (adjective) | more likable, chosen before others (leaving seemed preferable to staying). | ||
| preference (noun) | a liking for one more than another (a preference for smaller cars). | ||
| preferential (adjective) | giving, receiving or showing preference (accused of giving members of his family preferential treatment in the firm). | ||
| prefix (verb) | to put at the beginning. n prefix a meaningful syllable or word put at the beginning of a word to alter its meaning. | ||
| pregnant (adjective) | 1 carrying unborn young within the body. 2 full of (pregnant with meaning). 3 full of meaning (a pregnant look). n pregnancy | ||
| prehensile (adjective) | (formal) able to grasp or hold (the prehensile tail of the monkey). | ||
| prehistoric (adjective) | before the time of written records. | ||
| prejudge (verb) | to decide or form an opinion before hearing all the facts (prejudging the issue). | ||
| prejudice (noun) | 1 an unreasonable feeling for or against (prejudice on the grounds of race). 2 an opinion formed without full knowledge of the facts (a prejudice against the accused). 3 (formal) harm, injury (to the prejudice of his health). vb 1 to influence unreasonably for or against (accused of prejudicing the jury). 2 (formal) to harm, to spoil (being late will prejudice her chances of getting the job). | ||
| prejudicial (adjective) | (formal) harmful (actions prejudicial to her career). | ||
| preliminary (adjective) | coming before what is really important, introductory (preliminary talks). Also n. | ||
| prelude (noun) | 1 a piece of music played before and introducing the main musical work. 2 something done or happening before an event, helping to prepare one for it (a prelude to peace negotiations). | ||
| premature (adjective) | 1 happening or done too soon (their rejoicing was premature). 2 before the natural or proper time (premature birth). | ||
| premeditate (verb) | (formal) to plan beforehand (premeditated murder). | ||
| premeditation (noun) | (formal) the act of thinking about something before doing it. | ||
| premier (adjective) | first, chief. n the prime minister. | ||
| premiere (noun) | the first public performance of a play, film, etc. Also vb. | ||
| premise (noun) | 1 (formal) a statement accepted as true for the purpose of an argument based on it (take it as a premise that the world is round). 2 pl a building, its outhouses and grounds (the builder’s premises went on fire). | ||
| premium (noun) | 1 the amount paid for an insurance policy (the premium for his house insurance). 2 a reward, especially an inducement to buy. 3 something given free or at a reduced price with a purchase. at a premium of greater value than usual, difficult to obtain (tickets for the concert are at a premium). | ||
| premonition (noun) | a feeling that something particular is about to happen (have a premonition that her son would die in battle). | ||
| prenatal (adjective) | before birth. | ||
| preoccupation (noun) | a concern that prevents one thinking of other things (his preoccupation with money). | ||
| preoccupied (adjective) | thinking of other things (preoccupied with personal problems). | ||
| prepaid (adjective) | paid in advance. | ||
| preparation (noun) | 1 the act of preparing (the preparation of food). 2 something done to make ready (party preparations). 3 that which is made ready (a medicinal preparation). | ||
| preparatory (adjective) | helping to prepare, making ready for something that is to follow (preparatory steps). | ||
| prepare (verb) | 1 to make ready (preparing the meal). 2 to get oneself ready (prepare for war). | ||
| preposition (noun) | a word showing the relation between a noun or pronoun and another word. | ||
| preposterous (adjective) | completely absurd, foolish (a preposterous suggestion). | ||
| prerogative (noun) | a special power or right attached to a certain office (the king’s prerogative). | ||
| prescribe (verb) | 1 (formal) to lay down what is to be done (prescribing how others should behave). 2 to order a certain medicine (prescribe antibiotics for his sore throat). | ||
| prescription (noun) | a written order by a doctor for a certain medicine (get antibiotics on prescription). | ||
| prescriptive (adjective) | indicating how something must be done. | ||
| presence (noun) | 1 the state of being in the place required. 2 someone’s appearance and bearing. presence of mind ability to behave calmly in the face of difficulty or danger (her presence of mind prevented an accident). | ||
| present1 (adjective) | 1 in the place required or mentioned (they were present at the meeting). 2 now existing or happening (the present situation). n the time in which we live (think about the present—forget the past). | ||
| present2 (noun) | a gift. vb present 1 to give, to offer (present the celebrity with flowers). 2 to introduce (one person to another) (present his wife to his employer). 3 to show (present a frightening appearance). 5 to put forward (present the case for the defense). 6 to point (a rifle). | ||
| presentable (adjective) | fit to be seen or shown (made himself presentable for the interview). | ||
| presentation (noun) | 1 the act of handing over a present, especially in public (the presentation of a gold watch on his retirement). 2 something given by a group of people to mark a special occasion (a presentation by his colleagues on his retirement). 3 the way in which things are shown or arguments put forward (a presentation to advertise their new product). | ||
| presently (adverb) | soon (he will be here presently). | ||
| preservation (noun) | 1 the act of preserving. 2 safeguarding. | ||
| preservative (noun) | an ingredient or application which prevents something from going bad (put a preservative on the wood). Also adj. | ||
| preserve | Collective noun for jam (A preserve of jam) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| preserve (verb) | 1 (formal) to keep from harm (preserving the children from danger). 2 to keep from rotting or decaying (try to preserve the wood/preserve soft fruit). 3 to keep safe or in good condition (preserve old customs). n 1 fruit, etc, prepared with sugar so as to prevent it from going bad; jelly; (British spelling) jam. 2 a place where animals, birds, etc, are protected. | ||
| preside (verb) | to control a meeting, to act as chairman (presiding at the board meeting). | ||
| presidency (noun) | the office of president. | ||
| president (noun) | 1 the elected head of state of a republic. 2 the head of a company, etc; a chairman. | ||
| presidential (adjective) | having to do with a president (the presidential elections). | ||
| press (verb) | 1 to push on or against with force (press the doorbell). 2 to squeeze (press grapes). 3 to smooth and flatten (press trousers). 4 to try to persuade (they tried to press her into joining them). n 1 a crowd. 2 a printing machine (the printing presses were busy all night). 3 a machine for crushing or squeezing. 4 the newspapers. 5 a cupboard. adj. | ||
| press gang (noun) | (old) a body of seamen sent out to seize men and force them to serve in the navy. vb press-gang 1 (old) to seize someone and force them to serve in the navy. 2 to make someone do something by forceful persuasion (she was press-ganged into organizing the event). | ||
| pressing (adjective) | requiring immediate action, urgent (pressing matters). | ||
| pressure (noun) | 1 the act of pressing; force. 2 forceful influence (agree to go under pressure from his parents). 3 stress (workers under pressure). | ||
| prestige (noun) | good name, high reputation (his writing brought him prestige). | ||
| presumably (adverb) | apparently. | ||
| presume (verb) | 1 to take for granted, to accept as true without proof (he is missing, presumed dead). 2 (formal) to act in a bold or forward way (she presumed to borrow his car without permission). | ||
| presumption (noun) | 1 something supposed to be true. 2 (formal) forwardness, boldness of manner (he was upset by her presumption that it was okay to borrow his car without permission). | ||
| presumptive (adjective) | (formal) probable. | ||
| presumptuous (adjective) | (formal) overconfident, bold in manner (it was presumptuous of him to attend without an invitation). | ||
| presuppose (verb) | to take for granted. | ||
| pretend (verb) | 1 to make believe by words or actions that one is other than one really is (the medical student pretended to be a doctor). 2 to behave as if one were in other circumstances (she pretends absent-mindedness). 3 to claim (he does not pretend to understand). | ||
| pretender (noun) | (formal) someone making a certain claim (a pretender to the throne). | ||
| pretense (noun), | also pretence (British spelling) 1 the act of pretending. 2 a deception. 3 a false claim. | ||
| pretension (noun) | 1 a claim, true or false (he has no pretensions to musical skill). 2 pretentiousness. | ||
| pretentious (adjective) | claiming much for oneself, too proud (he is just an ordinary person but he is so pretentious). | ||
| preterit (noun) | the past tense of a verb. | ||
| pretext (noun) | a pretended reason, an excuse (he left under the pretext of feeling ill). | ||
| pretty (adjective) | pleasing to the eye, attractive (a pretty girl pri-tee-ness/. | ||
| prevail (verb) | 1 to overcome, to prove better or stronger than (common sense prevailed). 2 to be in general use (customs still prevailing). 3 to persuade (prevail on him to stay). | ||
| prevailing (adjective) | 1 common, most widely accepted, etc (the prevailing fashion). 2 (of wind) that usually blows over an area (the prevailing wind). | ||
| prevalent (adjective) | common, widespread (tuberculosis was prevalent then pre-va-lense/. | ||
| prevent (verb) | to stop from happening (prevent an accident pri-ven-shun/. | ||
| preventive (adjective) | helping to prevent (preventive medical care). Also n. | ||
| preview, prevue (noun) | an advance showing of a film, performance, etc, before its official opening | ||
| previous (adjective) | earlier; happening before (his previous crimes). | ||
| prey (noun) | 1 an animal or bird hunted and killed by another animal or bird (the lion’s prey). 2 someone who suffers (from) (a prey to headaches). vb 1 to hunt and kill for food (foxes preying on chicken). 2 to keep on attacking and robbing (frauds preying on old ladies). 3 to trouble greatly (worries preying on his mind). | ||
| price (noun) | 1 the money asked or paid for something on sale (the price of a loaf of bread). 2 what is required to obtain something (the price of freedom). | ||
| priceless (adjective) | of great value (priceless jewels). | ||
| prick (verb) | 1 to stab lightly with the point of a needle, dagger, etc. 2 to make a tiny hole in. 3 to make to stand up straight. n 1 a sharp point. 2 a tiny hole. 3 a sting. 4 a thorn. | ||
| prickle | Collective noun for hedgehogs (A prickle of hedgehogs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| prickle | Collective noun for porcupines (A prickle of porcupines) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| prickle (noun) | a small sharp point growing out from a plant or an animal (the prickles on a rose bush). | ||
| prickly (adjective) | covered with small sharp points. | ||
| prickly heat (noun) | a skin inflammation causing severe itching. | ||
| pride | Collective noun for griffins (A pride of griffins) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pride | Collective noun for lions (A pride of lions) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pride (noun) | 1 a feeling of pleasure at one’s own abilities, deeds, etc (take a pride in her work). 2 too great an opinion of oneself, one’s deeds, etc (people disliked her because of her pride). 3 the most valuable person or thing (the pride of the town). pride oneself on to take pleasure in. | ||
| priest (noun) | a clergyman, a minister of religion. f priestess | ||
| priesthood (noun) | 1 the office of priest. 2 priests in general. | ||
| prim (adjective) | 1 stiff in manner, formal and correct (prim old ladies). 2 neat, restrained (prim clothes). | ||
| prima donna (noun) | 1 the chief female singer in an opera. 2 someone who is prone to tantrums if their wishes are not met. | ||
| primacy (noun) | 1 the office of archbishop. 2 the state of being first in time, order, rank, etc. | ||
| primal (adjective) | (formal) original, having to do with early times (mankind’s primal innocence). | ||
| primary (adjective) | 1 first (the primary stages of the disease). 2 chief (the primary reason for his absence). n a preliminary election in which the candidates are chosen. adv primarily | ||
| primary colors (noun, plural) | the colors red, yellow and blue, from which other colors may be made. | ||
| primary school (noun) | a school for children which include the grades one to four, and kindergarten. | ||
| primate (noun) | 1 an archbishop. 2 one of the highest kinds of animals, including humans and monkeys. | ||
| Primatology | study of primates (see list of branches of science) | ||
| prime (adjective) | 1 most important (her prime reason). 2 excellent in quality (prime steak). 3 that cannot be divided by any smaller number (prime numbers). n the best time (people in their prime). vb 1 to provide with information (priming the witness about the kind of questions that she would be asked). 2 to prepare (a gun) for firing. 3 to prepare for painting (prime the wood). | ||
| prime minister (noun) | the chief minister in a parliamentary government (the Prime Minister of Canada). | ||
| prime number (noun) | a number that can be divided only by itself and the number one. | ||
| primer (noun) | 1 the mechanism that sets off the explosive in a shell, etc. 2 (old) a child’s first reading book. 3 (old) a simple book on any subject. 4 an undercoat of paint (put a primer on the new wood). | ||
| primeval adj, also primaeval (British spelling) | having to do with the first ages of the world (primeval swamps). | ||
| priming (noun) | the powder in a gun. | ||
| primitive (adjective) | 1 of the earliest times (primitive tribes). 2 simple or rough (a primitive boat/camp in primitive conditions). | ||
| primordial (adjective) | (formal) existing from the beginning (primordial forests). | ||
| primrose (noun) | 1 a pale yellow early spring flower. 2 a pale yellow color. adj pale yellow (primose walls). | ||
| primula (noun) | a flowering plant of the primrose family. | ||
| prince (noun) | 1 a ruler. 2 the son of a king or emperor. | ||
| princely (adjective) | 1 of or like a prince. 2 (formal) magnificent, splendid (a princely gift/a princely salary). | ||
| princess (noun) | 1 the wife of a prince. 2 the daughter of a king or emperor. | ||
| principal (adjective) | chief, most important (the principal cause of the dispute). n 1 the head of a school, college, etc. 2 a amount of money lent at interest. | ||
| principality (noun) | a country ruled by a prince. | ||
| principally (adverb) | chiefly (he is principally engaged in research). | ||
| principle (noun) | 1 a general truth from which other truths follow (the principle of gravity). 2 a rule by which one lives (moral principles). | ||
| print (verb) | 1 to make a mark by pressure. 2 to reproduce letters, words, etc, on paper by use of type (get invitations printed). 3 to publish in printed form (his new novel is being printed). 4 to write without joining the letters (print your name). 5 to stamp. 6 to stamp a design on cloth. 7 to produce a picture from a photographic negative. 8 to write in large clear lettering. n 1 a mark made by pressure (footprints). 2 letters, words, etc, reproduced on paper by use of type (italic print). 3 a copy of a picture taken from a photographic negative or engraving. 4 cloth with a design stamped on it (a flower print). | ||
| printer (noun) | someone who prints books, newspapers, etc. | ||
| printing machine , printing press (noun) | a machine for printing with type. | ||
| prior 2 (noun) | 1 the head of a house of monks. 2 a monk next in rank to an abbot. | ||
| prior1 (adjective) | earlier, previous (a prior engagement). | ||
| prioress (noun) | the head of a house of nuns. | ||
| priority (noun) | 1 the state or right of coming before others in position or time (homeless people will get priority for aid). 2 something or someone that must be considered or dealt with first (our first priority is to save the children). | ||
| priory (noun) | a house of monks or nuns ruled by a prior(ess). | ||
| prism (noun) | 1 a solid body with ends the same in shape and size and parallel to each other, and sides that are parallelograms. 2 a triangular glass solid used for breaking up light into colors. | ||
| prismatic (adjective) | 1 of or like a prism. 2 (of colors) very bright. | ||
| prison (noun) | a building in which criminals convicted of serious crimes are held. | ||
| prisoner (noun) | 1 someone kept in prison. 2 a person captured by the enemy in war (prisoner-of-war). | ||
| pristine (adjective) | 1 former, of earlier times (restore the old palace to its pristine splendor). 2 pure, undamaged, clean (a book in pristine condition). | ||
| privacy (noun) | 1 undisturbed quiet (little privacy at a table in a small noisy restaurant). 2 secrecy (the privacy of the government documents). | ||
| private (adjective) | 1 belonging to oneself only, not open to other people (she guarded her private possessions fiercely). 2 not public (private houses). 3 secret (private government documents). n a common soldier who has not been promoted. | ||
| privateer (noun) | a privately owned ship licensed to carry arms and attack enemy vessels. | ||
| privation (noun) | lack of food and comforts, hardships (suffer privation in the war). | ||
| privatize (verb), | also privatise (British spelling) to transfer something from public to private ownership (privatize the steel industry). n privatization , also privatisation (British spelling) | ||
| privilege (noun) | 1 a right or advantage allowed to a certain person or group only (old people are given certain privileges). 2 advantage possessed because of social position, wealth, etc (people of privilege). vb to allow a privilege to. | ||
| prize1 (noun) | 1 something given as a reward for merit or good work (awarded a prize for French at school). 2 that which is won by competition (win a prize in a travel competition). 3 anything seized from an enemy. vb to value highly (prizing the vase/prize their freedom). | ||
| prize2 (verb), | also prise (British spelling) to force open (prizing open the lid of the paint tin). | ||
| prizefight (noun) | a boxing match for a prize. | ||
| pro- | prefix 1 before. 2 in favor of. pros and cons reasons for and against. | ||
| probability (noun) | likelihood. | ||
| probable (adjective) | 1 likely to happen, likely to be true (the probable result/it is probable that he is guilty). 2 easy to believe (a probable story). | ||
| probably (adverb) | very likely. | ||
| probate (noun) | proving before a court that a will has been properly and lawfully made. Also vb. | ||
| probation (noun) | 1 the testing of a person’s conduct, work or character. 2 a time of trial or testing, especially for a young person found guilty of a crime, but not sentenced on condition that his or her conduct improves (the young car thieves are on probation). | ||
| probation officer (noun) | someone whose duty it is to watch over young persons on probation. | ||
| probationary (adjective) | being tested, on approval (have the job for a probationary period). | ||
| probationer (noun) | 1 someone whose fitness for certain work is being tested. 2 someone who is on trial for a certain time. | ||
| probe (noun) | a blunt metal instrument used by doctors when examining a wound closely. vb 1 to examine with a probe. 2 to examine carefully, to inquire into thoroughly (police probing the homicide case). | ||
| probity (noun) | (formal) honesty, uprightness. | ||
| problem (noun) | a question or difficulty to which the answer is hard to find (their problem is lack of staff/financial problems). | ||
| problematic(al) (adjective) | doubtful. | ||
| proboscis (noun) | (formal) 1 the trunk of an elephant. 2 the tube through which certain animals or insects suck food to their mouths. | ||
| procedure (noun) | way of conducting business (usual legal procedure). | ||
| proceed (verb) | 1 to move forward (passengers should proceed to gate 5 pro-seedz/ money made on a particular occasion (the proceeds from the show are going to charity). | ||
| proceeding (noun) | 1 something happening. 2 a course of action. | ||
| process (noun) | 1 the way in which a thing is done or made (use a new process to waterproof cloth). 2 a series of actions each of which brings one nearer to the desired end (the production process/the process of growing up). 3 (formal) a law-court case. | ||
| procession (noun) | a body of people moving forward in an orderly column (the carnival procession). | ||
| processional (adjective) | having to do with a procession. n a hymn sung during a religious procession. | ||
| proclaim (verb) | to announce publicly, to tell openly (proclaim the birth of a prince). | ||
| proclamation (noun) | a public announcement. | ||
| procrastinate (verb) | to put off till later (procrastinating when there is work to be done). | ||
| procrastination (noun) | delay, a habit of putting things off until later. | ||
| Proctology | study of rectum, anus, and colon (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Proctophobia | fear of rectums (see list of phobias) | ||
| prod (verb) | (prodded , prodding ) 1 to push with something pointed (prod the cows with a stick to get them to move). 2 to nudge (he prodded him to wake him up). 3 to urge into action (you will have to prod him to get him to work). Also n. | ||
| prodigal (adjective) | (formal) wasteful, spending too freely (a prodigal young woman). n a waster, a spendthrift. | ||
| prodigious (adjective) | (formal) 1 wonderful, extraordinary (a prodigious sight). 2 huge (a prodigious sum of money). | ||
| prodigy (noun) | 1 (formal) a wonder (one of nature’s prodigies). 2 a person of extraordinary abilities (a child prodigy won the music prize). | ||
| produce (verb) | 1 to bring forward, to bring into view (produce a handkerchief from his pocket). 2 to bear, to yield (trees producing rubber). 3 to cause or bring about (a remark that produced laughter). 4 to make or manufacture (a factory producing furniture). 5 to give birth to (the cow produced twin calves). 6 (in geometry) to cause, to make (a line) longer. n things grown, crops. | ||
| producer (noun) | 1 a person or country that grows or makes certain things. 2 someone who gets a play or TV show ready for performance (a television producer). | ||
| product (noun) | 1 that which grows or is made (a factory producing wooden products). 2 result (the product of much research). 3 the number given by multiplying other numbers together. | ||
| production (noun) | 1 the act of making or growing (the production of furniture). 2 the amount produced (increase production). 3 a performance or series of performances of a program, play, opera, etc. | ||
| productive (adjective) | 1 fertile (productive soil). 2 having results (a productive meeting). | ||
| productivity (noun) | the rate of producing something (increase productivity in the factory). | ||
| profane (adjective) | not showing respect for what is holy. 2 coarse or vulgar (profane language). vb to treat irreverently. | ||
| profanity (noun) | 1 bad language. 2 lack of respect for what is holy. | ||
| profess (verb) | 1 to say openly (profess his love for her). 2 to claim skill or ability (he professed to be an expert). 3 to declare one’s beliefs (profess his religious faith). 4 to pretend (he professed that he had been absent because of illness). | ||
| professed (adjective) | openly admitted or declared. | ||
| profession (noun) | 1 an employment requiring special learning (professions such as teaching). 2 the people involved in such employment (the teaching profession). 3 a public declaration (a profession of faith). | ||
| professional (adjective) | 1 having to do with a profession (professional skills). 2 paid for one’s skill (a professional pianist). 3 done for a living (professional singing). 4 of a very high standard (a professional performance). n someone who makes his or her living by arts, sports, etc (opposite of amateur). | ||
| professor (noun) | a teacher in a university or college (the professor of French). | ||
| professorial (adjective) | having to do with a professor (a professorial post). | ||
| proficient (adjective) | highly skilled, expert (a proficient pianist). n proficiency | ||
| profile (noun) | 1 an outline, a short description (a profile of the winner of the literary prize). 2 a head or an outline of it in side view (a photograph of her profile). | ||
| profit | Collective noun for gurus (A profit of gurus) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| profit (noun) | 1 an advantage (little profit to be had from delaying). 2 a gain, especially of money (the profit from the sale). vb 1 to gain an advantage (profit from the deal). 2 to be of use to (the experience profited her). | ||
| profitable (adjective) | 1 bringing profit or gain (a profitable deal). 2 useful (a profitable experience). | ||
| profiteer (noun) | someone who makes money by selling scarce goods at very high prices. vb to make money thus. | ||
| profound (adjective) | 1 deep (a profound sleep). 2 showing much knowledge or intelligence (a profound thinker). 3 intense (a profound love). | ||
| profundity (noun) | 1 depth. 2 the state of being profound. | ||
| profuse (adjective) | very plentiful (profuse thanks). | ||
| profusion (noun) | great plenty (a profusion of flowers). | ||
| prognosis (noun) | a forecast, especially of the progress of a disease (the prognosis is not good). | ||
| program1 (noun) | a sequence of instructions put into a computer. vb (programmed , programming ) 1 to put a program into a computer. 2 to write a computer program. | ||
| program2 (noun), | also programme (British spelling) 1 a plan or scheme (a program of social reforms). 2 a list of the items in a concert, etc (the conference program). 3 a scheduled radio or television broadcast. Also vb (programmed , programming ). | ||
| progress (noun) | 1 movement forward, advance (the progress of civilization). 2 improvement (technological progress). vb progress 1 to advance (the line of cars progressed slowly). 2 to improve (her condition is progressing). | ||
| progression (noun) | 1 onward movement. 2 a steady and regular advance. | ||
| progressive (adjective) | 1 moving forward, advancing (the progressive decline in trade). 2 believing in trying new ideas and methods (progressive educational methods). | ||
| prohibit (verb) | 1 to forbid (prohibit smoking in restaurants). 2 to prevent (the high cost of organic food prohibits wide sale). | ||
| prohibition (noun) | 1 an order not to do something. 2 the forbidding by law of the making or selling of all strong drink in a country. | ||
| prohibitive (adjective) | so high (in price) that people are unable to buy (prohibitive house prices). | ||
| project (verb) | 1 to throw (project a missile into space). 2 to plan (project a visit to France). 3 to stick out (a sign projecting from the wall). 4 to make pictures appear on screen by using a projector. n project a plan. | ||
| projectile (noun) | 1 something thrown. 2 something fired from a gun, a shell. | ||
| projection (noun) | a part that sticks out. | ||
| projector (noun) | 1 someone who forms plans. 2 an apparatus for showing pictures on a screen. | ||
| proletariat (noun) | the lowest class in society, the working people (the proletariat thereatening to rebel against the aristocracy). adj proletarian | ||
| prolific (adjective) | producing much (a prolific writer). | ||
| prolog (noun), | also prologue (British spelling) 1 an introduction (the prologue to the poem). 2 some lines spoken to the audience before a play begins. 3 an event that leads to another (serve as a prologue to the signing of the treaty). | ||
| prolong (verb) | to make longer (no point in prolonging the discussion). n prolongation | ||
| prolonged (adjective) | very long (a prolonged stay at his parents’ home). | ||
| promenade (noun) | 1 (formal) a short walk for pleasure (take a promenade in the evening sunshine). 2 abbreviation for prom a formal dance in a high school or college. 3 abbreviation for prom (British spelling) a wide road or sidewalk, especially along a seafront. vb (formal) 1 to take a short walk. 2 to walk up and down. | ||
| prominence (noun) | 1 the state or act of being prominent (the prominence of his chin/the prominence of the news item). 2 something that sticks out or is prominent (prominences on the landscape). | ||
| prominent (adjective) | 1 easily seen. 2 well-known (prominent local people). 3 sticking out (a prominent nose). | ||
| promiscuous (adjective) | 1 (formal) mixed. 2 having many sexual relationships. n promiscuity | ||
| promise | Collective noun for bartenders (A promise of bartenders) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| promise | Collective noun for tapsters (A promise of tapsters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| promise | Collective noun for tomorrows (A promise of tomorrows) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| promise (verb) | 1 to say that one will do or not do something, to give one’s word (she promised that she would be there/promising to go). 2 to give hope of a good result (his work promises well). n 1 act of giving one’s word. 2 a sign of future success (a promise of victory). | ||
| promising (adjective) | likely to do well in the future (a promising young actor). | ||
| promontory (noun) | a headland. | ||
| promote (verb) | 1 to raise to a higher position or rank. 2 to help on (promoting the cause of freedom). 3 to help to start (promote a business). n promoter n promotion | ||
| prompt (adjective) | 1 ready, quick to take action (prompt to criticize other people). 2 done without delay, quick (a prompt reply). vb 1 to cause another to take action (his behavior prompted us to call the police). 2 to help someone (especially an actor) who cannot remember what he or she ought to say. | ||
| prompter (noun) | someone whose job it is to whisper words to an actor who cannot remember them. | ||
| prone (adjective) | 1 lying face downwards (his prone body/lying prone). 2 inclined (to) (people who are prone to lose their temper). | ||
| prong (noun) | the spike of a fork etc. adj pronged | ||
| pronoun (noun) | a word used instead of a noun (“he” is a pronoun). | ||
| pronounce (verb) | 1 to make the sound of (pronounce the h). 2 to declare publicly (pronouncing him dead). 3 to speak. | ||
| pronounced (adjective) | very noticeable (a pronounced foreign accent). | ||
| pronouncement (noun) | 1 a statement to an assembly. 2 a firm statement. | ||
| pronunciation (noun) | the way of making the sounds of a word or language. | ||
| proof (noun) | 1 an argument, fact, etc, that shows clearly that something is true or untrue (police seeking proof that he was the murderer). 2 (formal) a test or trial (courage put to the proof). 3 (in printing) a first printing made solely for correction. 4 the statement of strength of some spirits, e.g. whiskey. adj not affected by, able to resist. | ||
| proofreader (noun) | someone whose job it is to read first printings and mark errors. | ||
| prop (noun) | 1 a support (a roof supported by wooden props propt prop-ing/) to support, to hold up. | ||
| propaganda (noun) | the organized spreading of certain ideas, beliefs, etc, to large numbers of people (political propaganda). | ||
| propagandist (noun) | someone who spreads ideas, etc, by propaganda. | ||
| propagate (verb) | (formal) 1 to spread widely (propagating their political ideas). 2 to increase in numbers by sowing seeds or producing young (propagate plants prop-u-gay-shun/. | ||
| propel (verb) | (propelled , propelling ) to drive or push forward (a boat propelled by a diesel engine). | ||
| propeller (noun) | a revolving screw with sloping blades attached for moving forward ships, airplanes, etc. | ||
| propensity (noun) | a natural leaning or tendency to behave in a certain way (a propensity to drop things). | ||
| proper (adjective) | 1 correct, suitable, decent, polite (proper behavior/the proper method). 2 (informal) thorough, complete (a proper mess). | ||
| properly (adverb) | 1 correctly, suitably (properly dressed). 2 strictly (speaking) (properly speaking, she’s not qualified). | ||
| property (noun) | 1 anything owned, that which belongs to one (the car is his property). 2 someone’s land (trespassing on her property). 3 a quality or characteristic (properties of the chemical substance). 4 abbreviation for prop an object needed on the stage during a play. | ||
| prophecy (noun) | 1 the foretelling of future events. 2 something foretold. | ||
| prophesy (verb) | to tell what will happen in the future, to foretell (the old man prophesied that there would be a cold winter). | ||
| prophet (noun) | 1 someone who foretells the future. 2 someone who tells men a message or command from God (Old Testament prophets). f prophetess adj prophetic(al) | ||
| proponent (noun) | someone who argues in favor of something (a great proponent of organic foods). | ||
| proportion (noun) | 1 the size of a part when compared with the whole (the proportion of his salary that goes in tax). 2 the size of one object, number, etc, when compared with that of another (the proportion of men to women in the firm). 3 a share. 4 pl size (a house of huge proportions). | ||
| proportional , proportionate (adjective) | in correct or proper proportion. | ||
| proposal (noun) | 1 a suggestion or plan put forward (proposals for expansion). 2 an offer to marry. | ||
| propose (verb) | 1 to put forward for consideration. 2 to intend. 3 to offer to marry. | ||
| proposition (noun) | 1 a plan or suggestion put forward. 2 an offer. 3 a statement, a statement that is to be proved true. 4 (in geometry) a problem to be solved. | ||
| proprietary (adjective) | 1 owned by a person or group of persons (proprietary brands of cookies). 2 possessive (a proprietary manner toward her boyfriend). | ||
| proprietor (noun) | an owner. f proprietress , proprietrix | ||
| propriety (noun) | (formal) correctness of behavior, fitness (behave with propriety). | ||
| propulsion (noun) | a driving or pushing forward (jet propulsion). | ||
| prosaic (adjective) | dull, commonplace, unpoetic (a prosaic piece of writing). | ||
| proscribe (verb) | (formal) 1 to declare an outlaw. 2 to forbid the use of (proscribing the sale of alcohol). n proscription | ||
| prose (noun) | 1 the language of ordinary speech and writing. 2 all writing not in verse. | ||
| prosecute (verb) | 1 to bring a criminal action against a person. 2 to accuse in a court of law (prosecute him for trespassing). n prosecution | ||
| prosecuting attorney (noun) | a officer in a judicial district who acts on behalf of the state in court. | ||
| prosecutor (noun) | 1 the person who makes the accusation in a court of law. | ||
| Prosody | study of versification (see list of branches of science) | ||
| prosody (noun) | (formal) rules for the writing of poetry. | ||
| Prosophobia | fear of progress (see list of phobias) | ||
| prospect (noun) | 1 (formal) a view (the prospect from the mountain top). 2 an idea of what the future may hold (not much prospect of arriving on time/the prospect of being homeless). 3 chance of future success (a young man with prospects). vb to explore, to search for places where mines may be sunk for oil, metals, etc. | ||
| prospective (adjective) | expected, probable (their prospective son-in-law). | ||
| prospector (noun) | someone who searches for gold or other minerals. | ||
| prospectus (noun) | a written description of some undertaking or of the training offered by a school (a college prospectus). | ||
| prosper (verb) | to do well, to succeed (the business is prospering). | ||
| prosperity (noun) | success, good fortune. | ||
| prosperous (adjective) | successful, well off (a prosperous businesswoman). | ||
| prostate (noun) | a gland in males in front of the bladder. Also prostate gland. | ||
| prostrate (adjective) | 1 lying flat with the face to the ground (the prostrate body of the injured man). 2 exhausted (prostrate after climbing the mountain). vb 1 to throw flat on the ground. 2 to bow in reverence (prostrating themselves before the emperor). 3 to tire out. n prostration | ||
| protagonist (noun) | 1 someone playing a leading part in a drama or in an exciting situation in real life. 2 a leader (one of the protagonists of socialism). 3 someone taking part in a contest. | ||
| protect (verb) | to keep safe from danger, loss, etc; to defend (protect their property/protect rare birds). | ||
| protection (noun) | 1 defense, watchful care. 2 the taxing of goods brought in from other countries so that goods made at home will be cheaper than them. | ||
| protectionist (noun) | someone who believes in taxing goods from abroad to protect home goods. | ||
| protective (adjective) | giving defense, care or safety (a mother protective of her children). | ||
| protector (noun) | a person or thing that protects. | ||
| protectorate (noun) | a country that is defended and governed by another until it can look after itself. | ||
| protégé (noun) | (formal) someone under the care of another (a protégé of the famous ballerina). | ||
| protein (noun) | a substance contained in certain foods (e.g. meat, eggs) which helps the body to grow and become stronger. | ||
| protest (verb) | 1 to object (protest about the building of the new road/protest against the umpire’s decision). 2 to strongly disapprove. 3 to declare (protest their innocence). n a statement of disagreement or disapproval (listen to their protests against his decision). | ||
| Protestant (noun) | a member of one of the Christian groups separated from the Roman Catholic church at the Reformation. Also adj. | ||
| Protestantism (noun) | the Protestant religion. | ||
| protestation (noun) | 1 an objection (their protestation against the injustice of the decision). 2 a declaration (their protestations of innocence). | ||
| Protistology | study of protists (see list of branches of science) | ||
| proto- | prefix first. | ||
| protocol (noun) | 1 correct procedure or behavior (diplomatic protocol). 2 a treaty. | ||
| proton (noun) | part of the nucleus of an atom that has a positive charge. | ||
| protoplasm (noun) | the living substance from which plants and animals grow. | ||
| prototype (noun) | the first model from which others are copied, a pattern (the prototype of the plan). | ||
| protozoan (noun) | (pl protozoans or protozoa) a tiny living creature, the lowest form of animal life. protract (verb) | ||
| protractor (noun) | an instrument for measuring angles. | ||
| protrude (verb) | (formal) to stick out, to stand out from (his ears protrude too much pru-troo-zhun pru-troo-siv/. | ||
| protuberance (noun) | (formal) a swelling, a part that bulges out (protruberances on tree trunks). | ||
| protuberant (adjective) | (formal) bulging out (a protruberant stomach). | ||
| proud (adjective) | 1 having too high an opinion of oneself, one’s deeds or possessions. 2 rightly satisfied with oneself and what one has done (she was justifiably proud of her excellent exam results). | ||
| prove (verb) | 1 to show the truth of (proving his guilt/they proved that he was guilty). 2 to turn out to be (she proved a natural teacher). 3 to test (require to prove oneself). | ||
| proverb (noun) | a popular truth or belief expressed in a short memorable sentence. | ||
| proverbial (adjective) | 1 well known to all (his proverbial bad temper). 2 expressed in a proverb. | ||
| provide (verb) | 1 to supply what is needed (providing food for all). 2 to make ready beforehand, to prepare for (provide for their future). | ||
| provided (that) (conjunction) | on condition (that) (he can stay here provided that he stops running around and keeps quiet). | ||
| providence (noun) | 1 care for the future, foresight. 2 Christians’ belief in God’s care of his creatures. | ||
| provident (adjective) | (formal) 1 taking care of the future. 2 not spending too much (provident housekeepers). | ||
| province (noun) | 1 a division of a country (a province in Canada). 2 the limits of one’s powers, knowledge, etc (the administration lies within her province). 3 pl all the parts of a country outside the capital (live in the provinces). | ||
| provincial (adjective) | 1 like or in a province (provincial government). 2 having limited or local interests, unsophisticated (some city people regard people from the rural areas as provincial). | ||
| provision (noun) | 1 something provided for the future (the provision of education). 2 pl food (buy provisions for the weekend). vb to supply with stores of food. | ||
| provisional (adjective) | for a time only, that may be changed (a provisional arrangement/a provisional government). | ||
| provocation (noun) | a cause of anger or annoyance. | ||
| provocative (adjective) | intended to anger or annoy, arousing the emotions or passions (provocative remarks). | ||
| provoke (verb) | 1 to make angry (provoked by his insulting remark). 2 to give rise to (events that provoked a war). | ||
| prow (noun) | the front part of a ship or boat. | ||
| prowess (noun) | skill or ability (admire his prowess as a pianist). | ||
| prowl | Collective noun for jaguars (A prowl of jaguars) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| prowl | Collective noun for puma (A prowl of puma) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| prowl (verb) | to keep moving about as if searching for something, to move quietly about looking for the chance to do mischief (hear someone prowling in the garden). | ||
| prowler (noun) | someone who moves stealthily, especially a thief (hear a prowler in the garden). | ||
| Proxemics | study of man's need for personal space (see list of branches of science) | ||
| proximate (adjective) | (formal) nearest. | ||
| proximity (noun) | nearness, neighborhood (the proximity of the house to the station). | ||
| proxy (noun) | 1 the right to act or vote for another. 2 someone with the right to act or vote for another (act as a proxy for her mother at the shareholders’ meeting). | ||
| prude (noun) | a person who makes a show of being very modest and correct in behavior (too much of a prude to change in a communal changing room). n prudery | ||
| prudence | Collective noun for vicars (A prudence of vicars) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| prudence (noun) | foresight, caution (have the prudence to save for their old age). | ||
| prudent (adjective) | thinking carefully before acting, wise, cautious (it would be prudent to check the times of the train). | ||
| prudential (adjective) | (formal) careful about the future, prudent. | ||
| prudery | see prude. | ||
| prudish (adjective) | over-correct in behavior. | ||
| prune1 (noun) | a dried plum (have prunes for breakfast). | ||
| prune2 (verb) | 1 to cut off the dead or overgrown parts of a plant (pruning the rose bushes). 2 to shorten by cutting out what is unnecessary (prune the report). | ||
| pry1 (verb) | to inquire closely, especially into the secrets of others; to examine closely (pried into her private affairs/neighbors prying into the details of their relationship). | ||
| pry2 (verb) | 1 to force open (prying open the lid of the paint tin). 2 to extract or obtain with difficulty. | ||
| psalm (noun) | a sacred song or hymn. | ||
| psalmist (noun) | a writer of sacred songs. | ||
| Psellismophobia | fear of stuttering (see list of phobias) | ||
| Psephology | study of election results and voting trends (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pseudo (adjective) | false, not real (a pseudo interest in the subject). | ||
| Pseudology | study of lying (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pseudonym (noun) | a name used instead of one’s real name (e.g. a pen-name) (write under a pseudonym). | ||
| Pseudoptics | study of optical illusions (see list of branches of science) | ||
| psychiatry (noun) | the treatment of diseases of the mind. n psychiatrist | ||
| psychic , psychical (adjective) | 1 having to do with the mind (psychic disorders). 2 (of influences, forces) that act on the mind and senses but have no physical cause (psychic research). 3 (of a person) sensitive to these influences. 4 able to communicate with spirits. | ||
| psychoanalysis (noun) | treatment of mental disease by questioning problems, fears, etc, that exist in the patient’s mind without his or her being aware of them. n psychoanalyst vb psychoanalyze | ||
| Psychobiology | study of biology of the mind (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Psychogenetics | study of internal or mental states (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Psychognosy | study of mentality, personality or character (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Psychology | study of mind (see list of branches of science) | ||
| psychology (noun) | 1 the study of the human mind. 2 the mental processes of a person (fail to understand his psychology). adj psychological n psychologist | ||
| psychopath (noun) | someone with a personality disorder which can lead them to commit often violent acts without guilt. | ||
| Psychopathology | study of mental illness (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Psychophobia | fear of mind (see list of phobias) | ||
| Psychophysics | study of link between mental and physical processes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Psychrophobia | fear of cold (see list of phobias) | ||
| Pteridology | study of ferns (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pterodactyl (noun) | a prehistoric winged reptile known of from fossils. | ||
| Pteromerhanophobia | fear of flying (see list of phobias) | ||
| Pteronophobia | fear of being tickled by feathers (see list of phobias) | ||
| Pterylology | study of distribution of feathers on birds (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pub (noun) | 1 a place of business where alcoholic drinks are sold and drunk. 2 (British spelling) a public house. | ||
| puberty (noun) | the age by which a young person has fully developed all the characteristics of his or her sex (reach puberty). | ||
| public (adjective) | 1 open to all (public gardens/the public library). 2 having to do with people in general (a public campaign). 3 well-known (a public figure). n the people in general. | ||
| public school (noun) | 1 a school that provides free education. 2 (England) a fee-paying private school whose pupils often live at the school. | ||
| publication (noun) | 1 the act of publishing (the publication of his novel). 2 a published book, magazine or paper (weekly publications). | ||
| publicity (noun) | 1 making something widely known, advertising (the publicity for her new novel). 2 the state of being well-known (filmstars who like publicity). vb publicize , also publicise (British spelling) | ||
| publish (verb) | 1 (formal) to make widely known (publish the news of the president’s death). 2 to print for selling to the public (publish novels). | ||
| publisher (noun) | someone who publishes books, etc. | ||
| puck (noun) | a small hard rubber disc used instead of a ball in ice hockey. | ||
| pucker (verb) | to gather into small folds or wrinkles (a material that puckers easily/her face puckered and she began to cry). n a fold or wrinkle. | ||
| pudding (noun) | a sweet soft dessert served at the end of a meal (Christmas pudding/a fruit pudding). | ||
| puddle (noun) | a small pool of dirty water. vb to make watertight with clay. | ||
| pudgy (adjective) | (informal) short and fat (a pudgy child). | ||
| puff (noun) | 1 a short sharp breath or gust of wind (a puff of wind blew the letter away). 2 a small cloud of smoke, steam, etc, blown by a puff (puffs of smoke from his pipe). 3 a soft pad for powdering the skin. 4 a kind of light pastry (puff paste). vb 1 to breathe quickly or heavily, as when short of breath (puffing after climbing the hill). 2 to blow in small blasts (puff cigarette smoke in their faces). 3 to blow up, to swell (her eyes were puffed up). 4 to praise too highly (puff up his role in the rescue). | ||
| puffin (noun) | a diving bird with a brightly colored beak. | ||
| puffy (adjective) | blown out, swollen (a puffy face). | ||
| pug , pug dog (noun) | a type of small dog with an upturned nose. | ||
| pug nose (noun) | a short upturned nose. adj pug-nosed | ||
| pugnacious (adjective) | (formal) quarrelsome, fond of fighting (he becomes pugnacious when he has taken too much alcohol). n pugnacity | ||
| puke (verb) | (informal) to bring up the contents of the stomach, to vomit. | ||
| pule (verb) | (formal) to whine, to cry peevishly (infants puling). | ||
| pull | Collective noun for silk-screens (A pull of silk-screens) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pull (verb) | 1 to draw toward one, to draw in the same direction as oneself (pull the door open). 2 to bring along behind one while moving (a horse pulling a cart). 3 to remove (flowers etc) from the ground (pull roses). 4 to gather (pull raspberries). 5 to row with oars (pull toward the shore). n 1 act of pulling (give the door a pull/with a pull of the rope). 2 (informal) advantage, special influence (have some pull with the committee). | ||
| pulley (noun) | a grooved wheel with a cord running over it used for raising weights. | ||
| pulmonary (adjective) | (formal) having to do with the lungs. | ||
| pulp (noun) | 1 the soft juicy part of a fruit (peach pulp). 2 soft substance obtained by crushing rags, wood, etc, and made into paper. vb to make into pulp; to become pulpy (pulp the fruit/pulp the rags). | ||
| pulpit (noun) | a raised platform enclosed by a half wall for preaching in a church. | ||
| pulsate (verb) | to beat or throb (the music pulsated through the building). n pulsation | ||
| pulse1 (noun) | 1 the throb of the heart or of the blood passing through the arteries (his pulse is too fast). 2 a place on the body where the throb of the blood can be felt (find the patient’s pulse). vb to beat or throb (blood pulsing through his veins). | ||
| pulse2 (noun) | any of the edible seeds of peas, beans, lentils, etc (make a dish with pulses instead of meat). | ||
| pulverize (verb), | also pulverise (British spelling) 1 to make into dust or powder (pulverizing the rock). 2 (informal) to defeat thoroughly (pulverize his opponent). | ||
| puma (noun) | a large wild cat, the cougar. | ||
| pumice (noun) | a light stone with a rough surface, used for cleansing or polishing. | ||
| pummel | Collective noun for masseurs (A pummel of masseurs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pummel (verb) | [pummeled , pummeling ; also pummelled, pummelling (Br)] to strike repeatedly with the fist(s) (pummeling the pillow with his fists). | ||
| pump1 (noun) | 1 a machine for raising water from a well. 2 a machine for raising any liquid to a higher level (central-heating pump). 3 a machine for taking air out of or putting air into things (a bicycle pump). vb 1 to work a pump. 2 to raise with a pump. 3 (informal) to get information from someone by asking them constant questions (pump the children about the details of their parents’ income). | ||
| pump2 (noun) | a light shoe for dancing. | ||
| pumphouse | Collective noun for egos (A pumphouse of egos) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| pumpkin (noun) | a large fleshy fruit with a thick yellow skin (make a pumpkin into a lantern at Halloween). | ||
| pun (noun) | the witty or amusing use of a word like another in sound but different in meaning. vb (punned , punning ) to make a pun. | ||
| punch (noun) | a drink made from wine or spirit mixed with sugar, hot water, fruit, etc (serve punch at their Christmas party). | ||
| punch (verb) | 1 to strike with the fist (he punched the other boy on the nose). 2 to herd or drive cattle. 3 to make a hole with a special tool or machine (punch holes in the papers for filing). n 1 a blow with the fist. 2 a tool or machine for making holes. | ||
| punctual (adjective) | 1 on time, not late (be sure to be punctual). 2 good at arriving at the correct time (she is always punctual pungk-chu-wa-li-tee/. | ||
| punctuate (verb) | 1 to divide up written work with full stops, commas, etc. 2 to interrupt repeatedly. n punctuation | ||
| puncture (noun) | a hole made by a sharp point (a puncture in her bicycle tire). vb to make a hole in, to pierce. | ||
| pundit (noun) | (formal) an expert (pundits discussing the political situation on television). | ||
| pungent (adjective) | 1 sharp to taste or smell (the pungent smell of frying onions). 2 sharp (pungent criticism). n pungency | ||
| punish (verb) | 1 to cause someone to suffer for doing wrong (punish naughty children a punishing exercise schedule). | ||
| punishment (noun) | pain, loss, etc, inflicted on a wrongdoer (capital punishment). | ||
| punitive (adjective) | (formal) done by way of punishment, inflicting punishment (punitive measures such as imprisonment). | ||
| punnet | Collective noun for strawberries (A punnet of strawberries) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Punnology | study of puns (see list of branches of science) | ||
| punster (noun) | someone who makes puns. | ||
| punt1 (noun) | a flat-bottomed boat moved by means of a pole. vb to move a punt with a pole (students punting up the river). | ||
| punt2 (verb) | to kick a ball dropped from the hands before it touches the ground. Also n. | ||
| puny (adjective) | small and weak (his puny arms). | ||
| pup (noun) | a puppy, a young dog. | ||
| pupa (noun) | (pl pupae or pupas ) 1 a stage in the growth of an insect just before it develops wings. 2 an insect in this stage. | ||
| Pupaphobia | fear of puppets (see list of phobias) | ||
| pupil1 (noun) | someone being taught; a learner; a student (there were over 1,500 pupils at the high school). | ||
| pupil2 (noun) | the round opening in the center of the eye through which light passes. | ||
| puppet (noun) | 1 a doll whose movements are controlled by strings, etc. 2 someone who obeys without question all the orders given to him or her by another (the king was a mere puppet—the nobles ruled the country). | ||
| puppet show (noun) | a performance using puppets. | ||
| puppy (noun) | a young dog (the young boy was given a puppy for his birthday). | ||
| purchase (verb) | to buy. n 1 the thing bought (carry home his purchases). 2 a position that allows one to apply all one’s strength (the purchase required to lift the iron chest). | ||
| purchaser (noun) | a buyer. | ||
| pure (adjective) | 1 clear (pure sounds). 2 unmixed (a sweater of pure wool). 3 clean, free from dirt or harmful matter (pure drinking water). 4 free from guilt or evil (pure young children/pure thoughts). 5 complete, absolute (a pure accident). | ||
| purée (noun) | food crushed to pulp (tomato purée/fruit purée). | ||
| purely (adverb) | 1 wholly (he passed the exam purely because of hard work). 2 only, merely (he did it purely for a joke). 3 in a pure manner. | ||
| purge (verb) | 1 to make pure and clean (purge your mind of wicked thoughts). 2 to get rid of unwanted persons (purging the party of troublemakers). 3 to clear the body of waste matter, to empty the bowels. | ||
| purification (noun) | 1 act of purifying. 2 a ceremonial cleansing. | ||
| purify (verb) | 1 to cleanse (purified the air/purifying the water). 2 to make pure. | ||
| puritan (noun) | someone who is very strict in matters of morals or religion. adj puritanic(al) n puritanism | ||
| purity (noun) | the state of being pure. | ||
| purl1 (noun) | the rippling sound made by a stream. vb to ripple. | ||
| purl2 (noun) | a type of knitting stitch. Also vb. | ||
| purple (noun) | 1 a color of red and blue mixed (dressed in purple). 2 (formal) the purple robe of a king or cardinal. 3 (formal) the rank of king or cardinal. adj of purple color (a purple dress). | ||
| purpose (noun) | 1 the reason for an action, an intention or plan (a journey for business purposes/his purpose in going). 2 use or function (the purpose of the tool). 3 determination (a man of purpose). vb to intend. | ||
| purposeful (adjective) | 1 having a clear intention in mind (a purposeful young woman). 2 determined (with a purposeful air). | ||
| purposely (adverb) | intentionally, on purpose. | ||
| purr (noun) | the low sound made by a cat when pleased. Also vb. | ||
| purse | Collective noun for winnings (A purse of winnings) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| purse (noun) | 1 a woman’s handbag. 2 a sum of money offered as a prize. 3 (British spelling) see pocketbook. vb to pull in (pursing her lips in disapproval). | ||
| pursue (verb) | 1 to follow in order to catch (police pursuing the escaped prisoner). 2 to carry on (an activity) (pursue studies in French). | ||
| pursuer (noun) | someone who chases (the pursuers of the escaped criminal). | ||
| pursuit (noun) | the act of pursuing (the police in pursuit of a criminal/her pursuit of an interesting career). | ||
| pursy (adjective) | (formal) fat and short-winded. | ||
| purvey (verb) | (formal) to provide food or meals. n purveyor | ||
| pus (noun) | yellow matter from an infected sore or wound (pus exuding from the boil). | ||
| push (verb) | 1 to press against with force (push the door shut). 2 to move by force, to shove (push the cart uphill). 3 to try to make someone do something (push him into applying). 4 (informal) to promote, to advertise (push his new product). n 1 a shove. 2 a strong effort. 3 (informal) energy (people with some push). 4 an attack by a large army. | ||
| pushing (adjective) | 1 energetic. 2 eager to get on. | ||
| pusillanimous (adjective) | (formal) timid, cowardly. n pusillanimity | ||
| puss , pussy (noun) | (informal) a cat. | ||
| pustule (noun) | (formal) a small pimple containing infected matter (the pustules on his face caused by the disease). | ||
| put (verb) | (put, putting ) 1 to set down in or move into a certain place (put the cups on the table/put the car in the garage). 2 to ask (put a question). 3 to express in words (put his refusal politely). 4 to throw from the shoulder with a bent arm (put the shot). n act of throwing a weight in sport (the shot put). put by to keep for future use. put up to give accommodation to (put his friend up for the night). put up with to bear without complaining (put up with noisy neighbors). | ||
| putative (adjective) | supposed, commonly believed to be (the putative father of the child). | ||
| putrefy (verb) | (formal) to become rotten, to decay (meat putrefied by the heat). n putrefaction | ||
| putrid (adjective) | (formal) rotten, decayed (putrid meat). 2 (informal) very bad, poor (a putrid performance). | ||
| putt (verb) | (putted , putting ) (in golf) to hit the ball into the hole on the green. n (in golf) a hit intended to send the ball into the hole. | ||
| putter1 (noun) | a golf club for putting. | ||
| putter2 (verb) | to work slowly and without much attention (spend Saturdays puttering about). | ||
| putting green (noun) | (in golf) the smooth green near a hole. | ||
| putty (noun) | a paste made from chalk and linseed oil, used for fitting glass in windows, etc. vb to cement with putty. | ||
| puzzle (verb) | 1 to present with a difficult problem or situation, to baffle, to perplex (they were puzzled by the last question in the exam a jigsaw puzzle). n puzzlement | ||
| PVC | abbreviation for polyvinyl chloride a tough kind of plastic (a waterproof coat made of PVC). | ||
| pygmy, pigmy (noun) | 1 a member of a race of very small people in Africa. 2 (informal) a very small person or animal. Also adj. | ||
| pyjamas | see pajamas. | ||
| pylon (noun) | 1 a hollow skeleton pillar for carrying overhead cables. 2 a tower or pillar built at an airdrome as a guiding mark. | ||
| pyramid (noun) | 1 a solid body with triangular sides meeting in a point at the top. 2 a monument of this shape. | ||
| pyre (noun) | a pile of wood, etc, on which a dead body is placed for burning. | ||
| Pyretology | study of fevers (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Pyrexiophobia | fear of fever (see list of phobias) | ||
| Pyrgology | study of towers (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Pyroballogy | study of artillery (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Pyrography | study of woodburning (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Pyrophobia | fear of fire (see list of phobias) | ||
| pyrotechnic (adjective) | having to do with fireworks. | ||
| Pyrotechnics | study of combustion through fire or explosions (see list of branches of science) | ||
| pyrotechnics (noun) | the art of making or using fireworks. | ||
| Pyrrhic adj. | Pyrrhic victory a victory in which the victors suffer very heavy losses (they may have one the battle but it was a Pyrrhic victory). | ||
| Pythagorean (adjective) | having to do with Pythagoras or his philosophy, which taught that after death the soul went into another body. | ||
| python (noun) | a large non-poisonous snake that crushes its prey in its coils. | ||
Q
| Q, q (noun) | the seventeenth letter of the alphabet. | ||
| Qu’ran | see Koran. | ||
| quack1 (noun) | the harsh cry of a duck. vb to make the cry of a duck (ducks quacking by the pond). | ||
| quack2 (noun) | 1 a person who pretends to have knowledge or skill that he or she does not have, especially in medicine (illnesses made worse by quacks). 2 (British spelling) (informal) a doctor (the quack told him to give up smoking). n quackery the claims or methods of a quack. | ||
| quad (noun) | short for quadrangle. | ||
| quadrangle (noun) | 1 a figure with four sides and four angles. 2 a square or rectangular courtyard enclosed by a building or buildings, especially at a school or college (students walking in the quadrangle). | ||
| quadrant (noun) | 1 the fourth part of a circle. 2 an instrument for measuring angles. | ||
| Quadraphobia | fear of the number four (see list of phobias) | ||
| quadrate (adjective) | square or almost square. n. | ||
| quadratic (adjective) | in algebra, having to do with the square of an unknown quantity, but with no higher power. | ||
| quadrennial (adjective) | 1 happening every four years (their book festival was a quadrennial festival). 2 lasting for four years. | ||
| quadrennium (noun) | a period of four years. | ||
| quadri- or (in front of a vowel) quadr- | prefix four. | ||
| quadriceps (noun) | the large muscles at the front of the thighs. | ||
| quadrilateral (noun) | a four-sided figure. | ||
| quadrille (noun) | 1 a dance for four couples, each forming the side of a square. 2 a kind of card game played by four people. | ||
| Quadriplegiphobia | fear of quadriplegics or fear of becoming a quadriplegic (see list of phobias) | ||
| quadruped (noun) | (formal) an animal with four feet (quadrupeds such as dogs and lions). | ||
| quadruple (adjective) | four times as great. vb to make or become four times greater (the rent has quadrupled in five years). | ||
| quadruplet (noun) | (often abbreviated to quad) one of four children born at one birth (give birth to quadruplets). | ||
| quaff (verb) | (formal) to drink a lot at one swallow (quaffing a glass of water after his long run). | ||
| quaggy (adjective) | soft and flabby. | ||
| quagmire (noun) | soft, very wet ground; bog, marsh (cars stuck in the quagmire). | ||
| quail1 (verb) | to bend or draw back in fear (I could see the children quailing at the sound of their parents’ angry voices). | ||
| quail2 (noun) | a small bird of the partridge family. | ||
| quaint (adjective) | unusual or old-fashioned in a pleasing way (quaint customs/quaint town). | ||
| quake | Collective noun for seismologists (A quake of seismologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| quake (verb) | to shake, to tremble (quaking with fear). | ||
| Quaker (noun) | a member of the religious group the Society of Friends. | ||
| qualification (noun) | an ability, skill, etc, that fits a person for a certain position or job (after this class I will have the right qualification for the job). | ||
| qualify (verb) | 1 to achieve the standards required before entering a business, filling a certain position, getting a job, etc (his family were very proud when he qualified as a doctor). 2 to make fit (his low salary qualifies him for financial aid). 3 to change but not alter completely (qualifying a person’s statement). | ||
| qualitative (adjective) | (formal) having to do with quality. | ||
| quality (noun) | 1 a feature of a person or thing (qualities of leadership low-quality paper). 3 excellence (they had a reputation for selling goods of high quality). adj qualitative | ||
| qualm (noun) | doubt, a fear that a person is about to do something that is wrong (have qualms about giving up his job to write a book/no qualms about getting married). | ||
| quandary (noun) | a state of uncertainty; doubt as to what a person ought to do (in a quandary about whether to go or to stay). | ||
| quantify (verb) | to express the amount of; to measure. | ||
| quantitative (adjective) | (formal) able to be measured, having to do with quantity. | ||
| quantity (noun) | 1 size, amount (the quantity of paper needed). 2 a large amount (buy food in quantity). 3 the length of a vowel sound. | ||
| quantum (noun) | an amount. | ||
| quarantine (noun) | a period of time during which a person, animal, or ship that may carry infection is kept apart. | ||
| quarrel (noun) | an angry argument or disagreement. vb (quarreled , quarreling , also quarrelled, quarrelling [Br]) 1 to exchange angry words with, to fall out (with) (quarrel with his business partner over money). 2 (formal) to disagree (find no reason to quarrel with her account of the event). | ||
| quarrelsome (adjective) | fond of quarreling (quarrelsome children). | ||
| quarry1 (noun) | an intended prey (the mouse was the cat’s quarry). | ||
| quarry2 (noun) | a place from which stone, slate, etc, may be cut. vb to dig or cut from a quarry (they quarried slate for a living). | ||
| quart (noun) | in the imperial system, a measurement of liquid (1136 liters, 2 pints, or 1/4 gallon). | ||
| quarter (noun) | 1 the fourth part of anything (leave a quarter of his fortune to each of his four sons). 2 in the imperial system, a measure of weight, a quarter of a hundredweight (25 pounds). 3 one fourth of an hour (it’s quarter to eight at night). 4 a district in a town (the business quarter). 5 pl lodgings. vb 1 to divide into four equal parts (quarter the orange). 2 (formal) to provide with lodgings (soldiers quartered in the town). | ||
| quarter horse (noun) | any of a breed of light, strong horses that are solid, usually dark in color, and used in rodeos and in range work. | ||
| quarter note (noun), | also quaver (British spelling) a note having one-half the duration of a minim. | ||
| quarterback (noun) | a football player that takes the ball from the center and passes or hands it off at an attempt to score. | ||
| quartered (adjective) | divided into four parts. | ||
| quarterfinal (noun) | the matches or games before the semifinals in a contest. Also adj. | ||
| quarter-hour (noun) | fifteen minutes. | ||
| quartering (adjective) | 1 moving toward a ship so as to strike either quarter (a quartering wind). 2 lying at right angles. n 1 the act of dividing into quarters. 2 the act of passing back and forth over an area, as in hunting. 3 the providing of lodging for soldiers. 4 the division of a shield into quarters. | ||
| quarterly (adjective) | happening every three months (a quarterly magazine). Also n. adv once every three months. | ||
| quartet (noun) | 1 a piece of music written for four performers (a Mozart quartet). 2 a group of four singers or players (she plays in a quartet). 3 a set or group of four. | ||
| quartz (noun) | a type of mineral found in rocks, usually in the form of crystals. | ||
| quasar (noun) | a distant star-like heavenly body that emits light and radio waves. | ||
| quash (verb) | 1 to set aside (an order or judgment), to cancel (quash the criminal sentence). 2 to put down, to put an end to (quash the mutiny). | ||
| quasi- | prefix almost, to some extent but not really (quasi-religious faith). | ||
| quassia (noun) | a South American tree with a bitter-tasting bark used in insecticides. | ||
| quatrain (noun) | a poem or section of a poem of four lines, usually rhyming alternately. | ||
| quaver (verb) | 1 to shake, to tremble (her voice quavered). 2 to speak in a trembling, uncertain voice (quaver a reply). n 1 a trembling of the voice. 2 (music) a note having one-half the duration of a minim; a quarter note. | ||
| quay (noun) | a landing place for the loading and unloading of ships (ships moored at the quay). | ||
| queasy (adjective) | 1 feeling sick, easily made sick (feel queasy on the sea voyage). 2 (formal) having fears or doubts, unwilling. | ||
| queen (noun) | 1 the wife of a king (the king and his queen). 2 a woman royal ruler of a country (she became queen when her father died). 3 the female bee, ant, etc. 4 a picture playing card. 5 a piece in chess. | ||
| queen mother (noun) | a former queen who is mother of the reigning king or queen. | ||
| queenly (adjective) | like a queen (a queenly manner). | ||
| queer (adjective) | strange, unusual (a queer feeling/a queer person). | ||
| quell (verb) | 1 to put down completely, to crush (quell the rebellion). 2 to put an end to (quell the children’s fears). | ||
| quench (verb) | 1 to put out (quench the fire). 2 to satisfy (quench thirst). 3 (formal) to keep down (quench a revolt). | ||
| querulous (adjective) | complaining (querulous tones). | ||
| query (noun) | 1 a question (answer their queries). 2 a question mark (?). vb 1 (formal) to ask a question. 2 to doubt (queried the truth of his statement). | ||
| quesadilla (noun) | a Mexican dish made of a flour tortilla filled with cheese or a spicy mixture, folded, and deep fried. | ||
| quest (fml or lit) (noun) | a search (a quest for happiness). vb to go in search of. | ||
| question (noun) | 1 a request for news, information, knowledge, etc (reply to questions about the president’s health). 2 words spoken or arranged in such a way that an answer is called for (questions rather than statements). 3 a problem (exam questions). 4 the matter under consideration (questions of international importance). vb 1 to ask questions. 2 to doubt. n questioner | ||
| question mark (noun) | a punctuation mark ( ? ) used at the end of questions (what are you doing?) | ||
| questionable (adjective) | 1 doubtful (it is questionable whether he will arrive on time). 2 open to suspicion (of questionable character). | ||
| questionnaire (noun) | a set of written questions chosen for a particular purpose (answer a questionnaire about house-buying). | ||
| quibble (noun) | an objection or argument, especially an unimportant objection or argument (quibbles over the contract). vb to argue about small, unimportant details (quibbling about the price). | ||
| quiche (noun) | an unsweetened egg custard baked in a tart with onions, cheese, bacon, etc. | ||
| quick (adjective) | 1 fast-moving (a quick pace). 2 clever (a quick pupil/a quick brain). 3 done in a short time (a quick drink). 4 (old) living. n the very tender flesh under the nails or just below the skin. adv quickly. | ||
| quicken (verb) | 1 to give life to (quicken his interest). 2 to become alive or lively. 3 to make or become faster (quicken the pace/his pace quickened). | ||
| quickly (adverb) | at once, rapidly (read it quickly). | ||
| quicksand | Collective noun for credit cards (A quicksand of credit cards) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| quicksand (noun) | loose, wet sand into which anything of weight (e.g. ships, people) may sink. | ||
| quicksilver (noun) | mercury. | ||
| quiet (adjective) | 1 at rest. 2 noiseless, not noisy. 3 calm, peaceful, gentle. 4 (of colors) not bright. n 1 rest, peace. 2 silence. vb 1 to calm. 2 to make silent. | ||
| quill (noun) | 1 a large feather from a goose or other bird, used as a pen. 2 the hollow stem of a feather. 3 one of the prickles on the back of a porcupine. | ||
| quilt (noun) | a bedcover padded with feathers, wool, etc (huddle under the quilt to get warm). vb to make (a bedcover, etc) filled with padding separated into small compartments by stitching (a quilted vest). | ||
| quince (noun) | 1 a kind of fruit-bearing Asian tree. 2 the sour fruit of this tree often used in preserves. | ||
| Quinology | study of quinine. (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Quintaphobia | fear of the number five (see list of phobias) | ||
| quintet (noun) | 1 a piece of music written for five performers. 2 a group of five singers or players (play in a quintet). 3 a set or group of five. | ||
| quintuple (adjective) | five times as great. vb to make or become five times greater (quintupling the firm’s profit in three years). | ||
| quintuplet (noun) | (often abbreviated to quin) one of five children born at one birth (she gave birth to quintuplets). | ||
| quip (noun) | a joking or witty remark. vb (quipped , quipping ) to make such remarks. | ||
| quirk (noun) | 1 a way of behaving or doing something peculiar to oneself (one of his quirks is to keep stroking his beard). 2 a strange or unexpected happening (by a sudden quirk of fate). | ||
| quit (verb) | (quitted or quit, quitting ) 1 to leave (given notice to quit/tired of his job and decided to quit). 2 to give up (try to quit smoking). | ||
| quite (adverb) | 1 completely, wholly (quite recovered). 2 fairly, rather (quite clever). | ||
| quits (adjective) | on even terms, owing nothing to each other (call it quits). | ||
| quittance (noun) | (formal) a setting free from debt, guilt, etc. | ||
| quiver | Collective noun for arrows (A quiver of arrows) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| quiver | Collective noun for cobras (A quiver of cobras) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| quiver | Collective noun for rebuttals (A quiver of rebuttals) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| quiver1 (noun) | a case for carrying arrows. | ||
| quiver2 (verb) | to tremble (a voice quivering with rage/children quivering with fear). n a shudder, a slight trembling (a quiver of fear). | ||
| quixotic (adjective) | trying to achieve impossible or unrealistic aims, especially when these are to help others and bring danger to oneself (quixotic gestures). | ||
| quiz (verb) | (quizzed , quizzing ) to examine by questioning (quiz them about their parents). n a number of questions set to test a person’s knowledge (a television quiz). | ||
| quizzical (adjective) | as if asking a question, especially mockingly or humorously (a quizzical look). | ||
| quota (noun) | the share of the whole to which each member of a group has a right (the quota of fish allowed to be caught by the local fishermen). | ||
| quotation (noun) | 1 the words or passage quoted (a quotation from Shakespeare). 2 a price stated (a quotation for painting the house). | ||
| quotation marks (noun, plural) | punctuation marks (“ ” or ‘ ’) placed at the beginning and end of a written quotation. | ||
| quote (verb) | 1 to repeat or write down the exact words of another person, making it known that they are not anyone else’s (quoting her mother/quoted Shakespeare). 2 to say the price of (quote $500 for decorating the room). n (informal) 1 a quotation. 2 a quotation mark. | ||
| quotidian (adjective) | (formal) daily. | ||
| quotient (noun) | the answer to a division problem. | ||
R
| R, r (noun) | the eighteenth letter of the alphabet. | ||
| rabbi (noun) | a person who is learned in the Jewish law and doctrine, a Jewish leader and teacher. | ||
| rabbit (noun) | a small long-eared burrowing animal. | ||
| rabble (noun) | a noisy or disorderly crowd (there was a rabble in the square demanding the president’s resignation). | ||
| rabid (adjective) | 1 fanatical (a rabid nationalist). 2 (of dogs) suffering from rabies. | ||
| rabies (noun) | a disease, usually caught from a bite from another infected animal, that causes madness, and often death, in dogs and other animals (the bat carried the rabies virus). | ||
| raccoon, racoon (noun) | an American animal of the bear family. | ||
| race | Collective noun for jockeys (A race of jockeys) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| race car (noun), | also racing car (British spelling) a car designed to race and to travel at high speed. | ||
| race1 (noun) | 1 a contest to see who can reach a given mark in the shortest time (a horse race). 2 a strong quick-moving current of water. vb 1 to take part in a race. 2 to run or move very quickly (race to catch the bus). | ||
| race2 (noun) | 1 any of the main groups into which human beings can be divided according to their physical characteristics (the white races). 2 the fact of belonging to one of these groups (discrimination on the grounds of race). 3 a group of people who share the same culture, language, etc (the Nordic races). 4 ancestors, family (a man of noble race). | ||
| racehorse (noun) | a horse bred for racing. | ||
| racetrack (noun), | also race course (British spelling) the ground on which races are run. | ||
| racial (adjective) | having to do with a race or nation (racial characteristics/racial hatred). | ||
| Raciology | study of racial differences (see list of branches of science) | ||
| racism (noun) | prejudice or discrimination against people on the grounds of race, sometimes accompanied by violent behavior. adj racist (a racist remark). n racist. | ||
| rack | Collective noun for gears (A rack of gears) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rack (noun) | 1 a frame for holding articles (a wine rack). 2 (old) instrument for torturing people by stretching their joints. vb to cause great pain or trouble to (racked by guilt). rack your brains to think as hard as possible. | ||
| racket1 (noun) | a bat (usually a frame strung with criss-crossing cords) for playing tennis, badminton, etc. | ||
| racket2 (noun) | 1 an uproar, a din (kept awake by a racket from the party next door). 2 a dishonest method of making a lot of money (in the drug racket). | ||
| racketeer (noun) | a person who makes money by dishonest or violent methods. n racketeering | ||
| racoon | see raccoon. | ||
| radar (noun) | the sending out of radio signals to determine the position of ships, airplanes, etc. | ||
| radial (adjective) | 1 of or in rays. 2 arranged like spokes. | ||
| radiance (noun) | brightness, brilliance (the radiance of the sun/the radiance of her smile). | ||
| radiant (adjective) | 1 showing great joy or happiness. 2 sending out rays of light or heat (radiant sun/radiant heat). 3 glowing. 4 shining. | ||
| radiate (verb) | 1 to send out rays of light or heat (heaters radiated warmth). 2 to shine with (a face radiating happiness) 3 to send out or spread from a central point (roads radiating from center city). n radiation | ||
| radiator (noun) | 1 an apparatus (an electric or gas fire, hot water pipes, etc) for warming a room by radiating heat. 2 an apparatus for cooling the engine of an automobile. | ||
| radical (adjective) | 1 having to do with the root or basic nature (radical faults in the system). 2 seeking great political, social, or economic change (a radical party). 3 very thorough (radical changes). n a person who desires to make far-reaching changes in society or in methods of government. adv radically | ||
| radii | see radius. | ||
| radio (noun) | 1 the sending or receiving of sounds through the air by electric waves. 2 an apparatus for receiving sound broadcast through the air by electric waves. 3 the radio broadcasting industry. | ||
| radioactive (adjective) | giving off rays of force or energy which can be dangerous but which can be used in medicine, etc. n radioactivity | ||
| Radiobiology | study of the scientific principles, mechanisms, and effects of the interaction of ionizing radiation with living matter (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Radiochemistry | study of ordinary chemical reactions under radioactive circumstances (see list of branches of science) | ||
| radiographer (noun) | a person who is trained to take X-ray photographs. | ||
| radiography (noun) | the obtaining of photographs by X-rays. | ||
| Radiology | study of X-rays and their medical applications (see list of branches of science) | ||
| radiology (noun) | the study of radioactivity as a means of treating disease. n radiologist | ||
| Radiophobia | fear of radiation, x-rays (see list of phobias) | ||
| radiotherapy (noun) | the treatment of disease by rays (e.g. X-rays). n radiotherapist | ||
| radish (noun) | a plant with an edible hot-tasting red root. | ||
| radium (noun) | a rare metallic substance that gives off rays of heat and light made use of in the treatment of disease. | ||
| radius (noun) | (pl radii ) 1 a straight line from the center of a circle to any point on the circumference. 2 a bone in the forearm. | ||
| radon (noun) | a radioactive gas that can be produced from the earth and rock. | ||
| raffle | Collective noun for turkeys (A raffle of turkeys) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| raffle (noun) | a sale in which people buy tickets for an article that is given to the person whose name or number is drawn by lottery. vb to sell by raffle. | ||
| raft | Collective noun for puffins (A raft of puffins) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| raft | Collective noun for swimmers (A raft of swimmers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| raft (noun) | logs fastened together to make a floating platform or a flat boat without sides. | ||
| rag | Collective noun for colts (A rag of colts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rag (noun) | a torn or tattered piece of cloth, a left-over piece of material (she always used a rag to dust the furniture). npl old tattered clothes (children clad in rags). | ||
| rage | Collective noun for maidens (A rage of maidens) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rage | Collective noun for teeth (A rage of teeth) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rage (noun) | 1 violent anger, fury. 2 inspiration. 3 something very popular or fashionable at a certain time. vb 1 to be furious with anger. 2 to behave or talk violently. | ||
| ragged (adjective) | 1 torn or tattered. 2 wearing old tattered clothing. 3 rough-edged. | ||
| ragtime (noun) | a highly syncopated form of music of African-American origin, an early form of jazz. | ||
| raid (noun) | a sudden quick attack made by a group intending to return to their starting point (a raid behind enemy lines). Also vb. n raider | ||
| rail (noun) | 1 a level or sloping bar of wood or metal linking up a line of posts, banisters, etc (hold on to the ship’s rail). 2 a strip of metal molded to a certain shape and laid down as part of a railroad track or streetcar line (the rail to Washington is blocked by snow). vb 1 to enclose with railings. 2 to send by railroad. | ||
| railing (noun) | a fence made of posts some distance apart linked together by crossbars or a rail. | ||
| railroad (noun), | also railway (British spelling) a track laid with parallel metal strips so molded that a train can run on them. | ||
| rain (noun) | moisture falling from the clouds in drops. vb 1 to fall in drops (it was raining heavily). 2 to fall or throw down in large numbers (arrows raining down). n raindrop , rainwater | ||
| rainbow | Collective noun for reasons (A rainbow of reasons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rainbow (noun) | a semicircular colored band that often appears in the sky when the sun shines through raindrops. | ||
| rainfall (noun) | the amount of rain that falls in a certain place during a certain length of time (exceed the average rainfall). | ||
| rainforest (noun) | a dense tropical forest where there is a high rainfall. | ||
| rainy (adjective) | wet, raining (a rainy day/rainy weather). | ||
| raise (verb) | 1 to lift upward, to move to a higher position (raise the flag high). 2 to breed (raise pigs). 3 to make higher (raise the wall a few meters). 4 to cause to grow, to cultivate (raise wheat). 5 to increase in amount, size, etc (raise prices). 6 to begin to talk about (raise a new point). 7 to collect (raise money for charity). 8 to make louder (raise her voice in anger). 9 to give up (raise a siege). n 1 an increase (a raise in pay). 2 an upward slope. 3 a small hill. | ||
| raisin (noun) | a dried grape (cakes with raisins). | ||
| rake (noun) | a metal or wooden toothed crossbar fixed to a pole and used for scraping the ground, pulling together cut grass or hay, smoothing the soil, etc. vb 1 to scrape, pull together, smooth, etc, with a rake (rake up dead leaves). 2 to search very carefully (rake through his papers for evidence of guilt). | ||
| rally (verb) | 1 to bring or come together again in one body (rally the troops/troops rallying around the general). 2 to regain some of your strength, health, etc, after weakness or illness (a patient who suddenly rallied after the procedure). n 1 a coming together in large numbers. 2 recovery of strength, health, good spirits, etc. | ||
| ram (noun) | 1 a male sheep. 2 any heavy instrument used for breaking down walls, doors, etc (a battering ram). vb (rammed , ramming ) 1 to run into with great force. 2 to push down, into or onto, with great force (ram the post into the ground). 3 (of a ship) to strike another ship head-on in order to make a hole in its side. 4 to strike violently. | ||
| RAM (noun) | (an acronym for Random Access Memory) memory that is lost when a computer is switched off. | ||
| Ramadan (noun) | the ninth month of the Muslim year during which Muslims fast between the hours of sunrise and sunset. | ||
| ramble (verb) | 1 to change from one subject to another in a foolish, purposeless way (ramble on about his youth/rambling after the knock on his head). 2 to walk as and where you like for pleasure (rambling through the woods). 3 to grow in all directions (rambling roses). n a walk taken for pleasure. | ||
| rambler (noun) | 1 a wanderer. 2 a climbing plant, especially a type of rose. | ||
| ramification (noun) | a consequence, especially one of many and an indirect one (unable to foresee the ramifications of his actions). | ||
| ramp (noun) | a slope (a ramp to allow cars to drive on to the ship). | ||
| rampage (verb) | to rush about, to rage (children rampaging about/elephants rampaging through the jungle). n great anger or excitement. | ||
| rampant (adjective) | 1 uncontrolled (rampant violence). 2 growing uncontrollably (rampant weeds). 3 in heraldry, standing on the hind legs (a lion rampant). | ||
| rampart (noun) | a defensive wall or mound of earth. | ||
| ramshackle (adjective) | broken-down, nearly falling down (ramshackle property). | ||
| ranch (noun) | a large cattle farm. | ||
| rancher (noun) | a person who owns or works on a ranch. | ||
| rancid (adjective) | bad, unpleasant to taste or smell (rancid butter). | ||
| random (adjective) | without plan or purpose (ask a random sample of people). at random without plan or purpose (choose people at random). | ||
| range | Collective noun for hills (A range of hills) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| range | Collective noun for mountains (A range of mountains) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| range | Collective noun for ovens (A range of ovens) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| range (verb) | 1 to extend (an area ranging from the city boundaries to the next town). 2 to vary between certain limits (ages ranging from 10 to 70). 3 to set in a line, to place in order (range the books on the shelf). 4 (formal) to wander (country children ranging over the hills). n 1 a variety (a range of exotic plants). 2 extent (voice range). 3 a line or row, e.g. of mountains. 4 the distance between a gun and the fall of the shot, the distance over which an object can be sent or thrown, sound carried, heard, etc (out of hearing range). 5 an area of land where animals roam and graze. 6 a piece of ground for firing practice. 7 an enclosed kitchen fireplace for cooking and baking (a stew simmering on the range). | ||
| ranger (noun) | a person in charge of a national park or forest. | ||
| Ranidaphobia | fear of frogs (see list of phobias) | ||
| rank1 (noun) | 1 a position of authority; a level of importance (promoted to the rank of colonel). 2 a social class (the upper ranks of society). 3 a row or line (ranks of police officers keeping back the crowds). 4 a row of soldiers standing side by side. vb 1 to put or be in a certain class or in an order of merit. 2 to arrange in a row or line. rank and file the common people. | ||
| rank2 (adjective) | 1 very bad (the rank smell of rotting meat/rank stupidity). 2 overgrown (a garden rank with weeds). 3 growing thickly and untidily (rank weeds). | ||
| rankle (verb) | to go on causing anger or dislike (his defeat still rankles with him). | ||
| ransack (verb) | 1 to search thoroughly (burglars ransacking houses looking for money). 2 to plunder (enemy soldiers ransacking the town). | ||
| ransom (noun) | a sum of money paid to free someone from captivity (asked for a ransom in exchange for their kidnaped children). vb to pay to obtain freedom, to redeem. | ||
| rant (verb) | to talk in a loud, uncontrolled manner, often using words for fine sound rather than meaning (ranting on about how badly he was treated). Also n. n ranter. | ||
| rap (noun) | 1 a quick light blow, a knock (a rap on the door). 2 a style of popular music in which (usually rhyming) words are spoken in a rhythmic chant over an instrumental backing. 3 (informal) talk, conversation.4 (informal) a reputation (a bum rap). vb (rapped , rapping ) 1 to give a rap to (rap the door). 2 (informal) to chat, converse. 3 to perform a rap. not worth a rap worthless (a promise not worth a rap). n rapper. | ||
| rapid (adjective) | very quick-moving (rapid changes at a rapid pace). n (usually pl) a quick-flowing stretch of river running downhill. n rapidity adv rapidly | ||
| rapier (noun) | a long thin sword. | ||
| rappel (verb) | to go down a very steep slope, such as a cliff face or a very tall building, using a rope secured at the top and passed round the body in a kind of harness. | ||
| rapport (noun) | a friendly relationship between people who understand each other. | ||
| rapt (adjective) | giving your whole mind (with rapt attention). | ||
| rapture (noun) | (formal) delight, great joy (in raptures at the news of their success). | ||
| rapturous (adjective) | full of delight, very happy. | ||
| rare (adjective) | 1 uncommon, unusual. 2 valuable. 3 very good. 4 very lightly cooked. 5 not thick. n rareness | ||
| rarefied (adjective) | thin; (of air) with less oxygen than usual (the rarefied air of high altitudes). | ||
| rarely (adverb) | seldom, not often (we rarely see them). | ||
| rarity (noun) | 1 a thing seldom met with (such birds are rarities in this area). 2 rareness (stamps valuable because of their rarity). | ||
| rascal (noun) | 1 a rogue, a scoundrel (a rascal who deserved to be sent to prison). 2 a naughty boy (a rascal who tries to avoid going to school). adj rascally | ||
| rash | Collective noun for dermatologists (A rash of dermatologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rash1 (noun) | a redness of the skin caused by illness (a measles rash). | ||
| rash2 (adjective) | 1 acting without forethought (she tends to be rash). 2 hasty (a rash decision). 3 foolishly daring (a rash action). adv rashly n rashness | ||
| rasher (noun) | a thin slice of bacon. | ||
| rasp | Collective noun for lawnmowers (A rasp of lawnmowers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rasp (noun) | 1 a file with a very rough face. 2 a harsh, grating sound. vb 1 to rub with a rasp. 2 to make a harsh, grating sound (a rasping voice/metal rasping on metal). 3 to say in a harsh, angry voice. | ||
| raspberry (noun) | 1 a common shrub. 2 its edible red berry (raspberry preserve). | ||
| Rastafarian (noun) | a member of a religious group that originated in Jamaica and worships the late Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie. | ||
| rat (noun) | a gnawing animal like, but larger than, the mouse. vb (ratted , ratting ) to inform on someone. | ||
| rat race (noun) | the competitive, aggressive struggle to survive and be successful in the modern world (she has opted out of the rat race). | ||
| ratchet (noun) | a toothed wheel with which a catch automatically engages as it is turned, preventing it from being turned in the reverse direction. | ||
| rate (noun) | 1 the amount of one thing measured by its relation to another (the death rate is the number of people who die yearly to every thousand of the population ray-ta-bul/. | ||
| rather (adverb) | 1 preferably, more willingly (she would rather die than marry him). 2 fairly, quite (she is rather talented). 3 more exactly, more truly (she is thoughtless rather than cruel). | ||
| rating (noun) | 1 value or rank according to some kind of classification (his rating as an international tennis player). 2 in the navy, a sailor who is not an officer. | ||
| ratio (noun) | one number or amount considered in relation or proportion to another (the ratio of students to teachers). | ||
| ration (noun) | 1 a fixed amount of something allowed every so often (the child’s weekly candy ration). npl (old) food. vb to limit to fixed amounts (rationed gasoline to 30 liters per person). | ||
| rational (adjective) | 1 having the power to think things out (human beings are rational animals). 2 reasonable, sensible (he made a rational decision). adv rationally | ||
| rationalist (noun) | a person who tries to find natural causes for all things, including miracles. n rationalism | ||
| rationalize (verb), | also rationalise (British spelling) 1 to try to find reasons for all actions. 2 to explain as due to natural causes. 3 to reorganize a business firm in order to improve efficiency. | ||
| rattle (verb) | 1 to make a number of short quick noises one after the other (windows rattling in the storm). 2 to shake something so as to cause such noises (collectors rattling their cans). 3 to speak or say quickly (rattle off the instructions so that no-one understood). n 1 an instrument or toy for rattling (a baby’s rattle). 2 a rattling sound (the rattle of milk bottles). | ||
| rattlesnake (noun) | an American snake able to make a rattling sound with horny rings on its tail. | ||
| raucous (adjective) | hoarse, harsh-sounding (shouted his instructions in a raucous voice). | ||
| ravage (verb) | to lay waste, to plunder, to destroy far and wide (crops ravaged by storms). n damage, destruction. | ||
| rave (verb) | 1 to talk wildly or madly (he was very ill and was raving in his sleep). 2 (informal) to praise very highly (critics raving about his new play). | ||
| raven (noun) | a bird of prey of the crow family. adj black (her raven hair). | ||
| ravenous (adjective) | very hungry (ravenous after their long walk). adv ravenously | ||
| ravine (noun) | a narrow valley with steep sides. | ||
| ravioli (noun) | an Italian dish consisting of small squares of pasta with a meat or vegetable filling. | ||
| ravish (verb) | 1 to take or carry off by force. 2 to delight (ravished by her beauty). | ||
| ravishing (adjective) | delightful, wonderful (her ravishing beauty). adv ravishingly | ||
| raw (adjective) | 1 uncooked (raw meat). 2 in its natural state (raw cotton/a raw recruit). 3 sore. 4 (of part of the body) uncovered by skin, scraped (raw wounds). 5 cold and damp (a raw day). | ||
| ray1 (noun) | 1 a line of light, heat, etc, getting broader as it goes further from its origin (the sun’s rays). 2 a little, a very small amount (a ray of hope). | ||
| ray2 (noun) | a species of flatfish. | ||
| rayon (noun) | artificial silk. | ||
| raze (verb) | to destroy completely, to wipe out (cities razed to the ground by enemy armies). | ||
| razor (noun) | an implement for shaving hair (he shaves every day with an electric razor). | ||
| razorblade (noun) | a very sharp blade for use in certain kinds of razor. | ||
| reach (verb) | 1 to stretch out (reach out a hand). 2 to stretch out a hand or arm for some purpose (reach for a book). 3 to obtain by stretching out for (unable to reach the book on the highest shelf). 4 to arrive at, to get as far as (reach the summit of the mountain). 5 to pass with the hand (reach him the salt). n 1 the distance you can extend the hand from the body (the telephone was within reach). 2 a distance that can be easily traveled (an airport within easy reach). 3 a straight stretch of river (the upper reaches of the stream). | ||
| react (verb) | 1 to act, behave, or change in a certain way as a result of something said or done (react badly to criticism). 2 to do or think the opposite (react against their strict upbringing). | ||
| reaction (noun) | 1 action or behavior given rise to by something said or done (his reaction to the defeat). 2 opposition to progress (reaction against computerization). 3 in chemistry, the change in a substance when certain tests are made on it. | ||
| reactionary (adjective) | wanting to return to things as they were before, opposed to progress (reactionary older writers). Also n. | ||
| read (verb) | (pt, pp read ) 1 to look at and understand (read the instructions). 2 to speak aloud what is written or printed (read out the message in the letter). 3 in computing, to extract (data) from a storage system. 4 to study (reading English at university). 5 to be written or worded (his letter reads as follows). | ||
| readable (adjective) | easy to read, interesting. | ||
| reader (noun) | 1 a person who enjoys reading (children who are not readers). 2 a person whose job it is to report on manuscripts sent in to publishers or to read and correct proofs. 3 a reading book for schools (a basic reader). n readership | ||
| readily (adverb) | willingly, cheerfully (she readily agreed). | ||
| reading (noun) | 1 the study of books (reading is her main hobby). 2 words read out from a book or written paper (readings from the Talmud). 3 an explanation of what is written (there is more than one possible reading of the passage). 4 the figure recorded on an instrument. | ||
| readjust (verb) | 1 to put right or in the proper place again (readjust the driving mirror). 2 to make changes needed for altered circumstances (try to readjust to life at home after life overseas). n readjustment | ||
| ready (adjective) | 1 prepared and fit for use (the food is ready). 2 quick (people of ready will). 3 willing (always ready to help people). n readiness | ||
| real (adjective) | 1 actually existing (real life). 2 true, genuine, not false or fake (real gold/his real reason). 3 utter, complete (a real idiot). adv very (a real nice guy). | ||
| real estate (noun) | property consisting of land and buildings. real-estate agent a person who sells property. | ||
| realism (noun) | 1 the belief that only objects perceptible by the senses actually exist. 2 trying to make works of art as true to life as possible (the school of realism). 3 the habit of taking a sensible, practical view of life (forced to think of the future with realism). | ||
| realist (noun) | a person who believes in realism. | ||
| realistic (adjective) | 1 lifelike (a realistic painting). 2 taking a sensible, practical view of life (a realistic idea of what job he is qualified for). adv realistically | ||
| reality (noun) | 1 that which actually exists (prefer dreams to reality). 2 truth. 3 things as they actually are (the realities of life). | ||
| realize (verb), | also realise (British spelling) 1 to understand fully (they realize that he is telling the truth). 2 to make real (realize ambitions). 3 to sell for money (realize their assets). n realization , also realisation (British spelling) | ||
| really (adverb) | 1 actually, in fact (describes things as they really are). 2 very (a really pleasant day). | ||
| realm | Collective noun for kingfishers (A realm of kingfishers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| realm (noun) | 1 (formal) a kingdom. 2 one particular aspect or sphere of life (the realm of sport). | ||
| realty (noun) | real estate. | ||
| ream | Collective noun for paper (A ream of paper) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| reap (verb) | 1 to cut down (crops), to gather in. 2 to receive as a reward (reap the benefits of hard work). | ||
| reaper (noun) | 1 a person who reaps. 2 a machine for reaping. | ||
| reappear (verb) | to appear again. n reappearance | ||
| rear1 (noun) | 1 the part behind (the rear of the building). 2 the back part of an army or fleet. | ||
| rear2 (verb) | 1 to bring up (rear children). 2 to breed (rearing pigs). 3 to stand on the hind legs (the horse reared up). 4 to raise (the horse reared its head). | ||
| reason (noun) | 1 cause for acting or believing (the reason for her sadness the reason why she left). 2 the power to think things out (lose his reason). 3 good sense (he would listen to reason). vb 1 to think out step by step (we reasoned that they would attack at dawn). 2 to try to convince by arguing (reason them into being less hasty). | ||
| reasonable (adjective) | 1 sensible (a reasonable suggestion). 2 willing to listen to another’s arguments (a reasonable person). 3 not excessive (a reasonable amount to drink). adv reasonably | ||
| reasoning (noun) | 1 use of the power of reason. 2 arguments used to convince (find his reasoning unconvincing). | ||
| reassure (verb) | to take away the doubts or fears of (reassuring the child that his mother would soon return). n reassurance | ||
| rebate (noun) | part of a payment given back to the payer (a taxt rebate). | ||
| rebel (noun) | a person who revolts against authority. vb (rebelled , rebelling ) 1 to take up arms (against) (rebel against the army leaders). 2 to refuse to obey those in authority (children rebelling against strict teachers). | ||
| rebellion (noun) | open resistance to or fighting against authority. | ||
| rebellious (adjective) | 1 ready to rebel, disobedient (at a rebellious age). 2 fighting against authority (the rebellious troops). | ||
| rebirth (noun) | a revival of something. | ||
| reboot (verb) | to start a computer again (you have to reboot after instaling the fonts). | ||
| rebound (verb) | to bounce back off, to spring back (the ball rebounded off the wall). Also n. | ||
| rebuke (verb) | to scold, to find fault with (rebuked the child for being naughty). n a scolding. | ||
| rebut (verb) | (rebutted , rebutting ) to refuse to accept as true (rebut their accusation). n rebuttal | ||
| recall (verb) | 1 to remember (unable to recall his name). 2 to call back (recall certain cars because of a mechanical defect). n an order to return (the recall of the ambassador). | ||
| recede (verb) | 1 to move back (his hair is receding at the front). 2 to slope back (her chin recedes). | ||
| receipt (noun) | 1 a written statement that a sum of money or an article has been received (ask for a receipt when you pay the check). 2 the act of receiving (her receipt of the goods). | ||
| receive (verb) | 1 to come into possession of, to get (receive a letter/receive good news). 2 to welcome (receive guests). | ||
| receiver (noun) | 1 a person who accepts stolen goods from a thief. 2 the earpiece of a telephone. 3 a radio set. | ||
| recent (adjective) | not long past (recent events ree-sint-lee/. | ||
| receptacle (noun) | a place or vessel for holding things (a large receptacle such as a bucket). | ||
| reception (noun) | 1 the act of receiving or being received, the welcoming of guests (a room in the building for the reception of visitors/his reception of the news). 2 a formal party (invited to a reception for the ambassador). 3 welcome (received a warm reception). 4 the quality of radio or television signals. | ||
| receptionist (noun) | a person who is employed by a hotel, doctor, business, etc, to receive guests, clients, callers, etc. | ||
| receptive (adjective) | quick to learn (a receptive mind). n receptivity | ||
| recess (noun) | 1 a break from work or study (school recess/parliament in recess). 2 part of a room set back into the wall (an old-fashioned room with a recess for a bookcase). | ||
| recession (noun) | a period of reduced trade and business activity (people losing their jobs in the recession). | ||
| recipe (noun) | instructions on how to make or prepare a certain dish (a recipe for chocolate cake). | ||
| recipient (noun) | a person who receives (the recipient of good news). | ||
| recital (noun) | 1 a detailed account (a recital of the events at the party). 2 a public musical performance, especially by one performer (a piano recital). | ||
| recitation (noun) | 1 a reciting of something. 2 that which is recited (e.g. a poem). | ||
| recite (verb) | to repeat aloud from memory (children asked to recite a poem). | ||
| reckless (adjective) | rash, heedless of danger (a reckless young man rek-less-lee/. | ||
| reckon (verb) | 1 to think or consider (I reckon she is the best worker in the company). 2 to guess, to estimate (we reckon they owe us $100). 3 (formal) to count (reckon the cost). | ||
| reckoning (noun) | 1 a calculation, estimate (by our reckoning we should be there by midnight). 2 (old) a settlement of accounts, a bill. | ||
| reclaim (verb) | 1 to demand the return of (to reclaim their baggage). 2 to bring under cultivation waste land, land covered by the sea, etc. n reclamation | ||
| recline (noun) | to sit or lie back at your ease, to rest (recline on a couch). | ||
| recluse (noun) | a person who prefers to live away from human society (he has become a recluse since his wife’s death). adj reclusive | ||
| recognition (noun) | 1 act of recognizing (he was so sick that he showed no recognition when his family arrived). 2 acknowledgment (a medal given in recognition of his courage). | ||
| recognizable adj, also recognisable (British spelling) | that may be recognized (she was scarcely recognizable after going to the beauty salon). | ||
| recognize (verb), | also recognise (British spelling) 1 to know again (recognize an old friend). 2 to greet or salute (she refused to recognize her ex-husband). 3 to admit (recognize his mistakes). 4 to accept (qualification not recognized overseas). 5 to reward (recognize the man’s courage by giving him a medal). | ||
| recoil (verb) | 1 to go suddenly backward in horror, fear, etc (recoil in horror at the sight of the corpse). 2 (of a gun) to move sharply backward on firing. n 1 a shrinking backward. 2 the backward kick of a gun on firing. | ||
| recollect (verb) | to remember (recollect a previous incident). | ||
| recollection (noun) | 1 memory. 2 something remembered. | ||
| recommend (verb) | 1 to speak in praise of, to suggest that something or someone is good, suitable, etc (recommend her for promotion/recommend the medicine as a cure for sore throats). 2 to advise (his teacher recommended him to apply for university). | ||
| recommendation (noun) | 1 act of praising or speaking in favor of (his recommendation of him as a reliable employee). 2 a letter praising a person’s good points. | ||
| reconcile (verb) | 1 to make or become friendly again (they did not become reconciled till several years after the quarrel). 2 to make (yourself) accept something new or strange (try to reconcile yourself to the changes). | ||
| reconciliation (noun) | a renewal of friendship. | ||
| reconsider (verb) | to think about again with a view to changing your mind (reconsider his resignation). n reconsideration | ||
| reconstruct (verb) | 1 to rebuild (reconstruct damaged buildings). 2 to try to build up a description or picture of, to work out exactly what happened when all the facts are not known (police reconstructing the crime). n reconstruction | ||
| record (verb) | 1 to put down in writing (record the score in a notebook). 2 to preserve sounds or images by mechanical means, on a CD, tape, etc (record the radio concert re-curd/ 1 a recorded account. 2 a book containing written records, a register (parish records). 3 the best performance yet known in any type of contest. 4 a disk for playing on a CD player or phonograph. 5 what is known about a person’s past (a good work record). 6 a criminal record (his record was well known to the police). | ||
| recorder (noun) | 1 a person who keeps registers or records. 2 a judge in certain cities. 3 a simple form of flute (play the recorder). | ||
| recount (verb) | 1 to tell in detail (recount their adventures). 2 to count again. n recount another counting, e.g. of votes after an election. | ||
| recoup (verb) | to get back all or part of a loss (recoup the cost of the car repairs). | ||
| recover (verb) | 1 to cover again (recover the couch). 2 to get back, to regain (recover their strength). 3 to make or become better after sickness or weakness (the accident victim is unlikely to recover). | ||
| recovery (noun) | 1 a return to health after sickness (a speedy recovery from flu). 2 the regaining of anything after losing some or all of it. | ||
| recreation (noun) | 1 rest and amusement after work (find some form of recreation). 2 a sport, a pastime (recreations such as gardening). | ||
| recriminate (verb) | to accuse in return, to accuse your accuser. | ||
| recrimination (noun) | the act of recriminating, a counter-accusation (his accusation of his classmates led to recrimination). | ||
| recruit (noun) | 1 a soldier who has just joined the army. 2 a new member (the latest recruits to the advertizing campaign). vb to enlist new soldiers, members (try to recruit new members). n recruitment | ||
| rectangle (noun) | a four-sided figure with all its angles right angles and one pair of sides longer than the other. adj rectangular | ||
| rectify (verb) | 1 to put right, to correct (rectify the mistake). 2 (chemistry) to purify. n rectification | ||
| Rectophobia | fear of rectum or rectal diseases (see list of phobias) | ||
| rectum (noun) | the part of the large intestine that leeads to the anus. | ||
| recuperate (verb) | to regain health or strength after illness (take a vacation to recuperate). n recuperation | ||
| recur (verb) | (recurred , recurring ) to happen again and again (a mistake that kept recurring). n recurrence | ||
| recurrent (adjective) | happening or appearing again and again (a recurrent dream). | ||
| recycle (verb) | to put something through some kind of process so that it can be used again (newspapers can be placed in that container to be recycled). | ||
| red (adjective) | 1 of a color like blood (a red coat/hands red with cold). 2 of a color that varies between a golden brown and a reddish brown (red hair). 3 (informal) communist. n 1 the color red. 2 a communist. see red to become suddenly very angry (she saw red when the child disobeyed). | ||
| Red Cross , Red Crescent (noun) | an international organization that looks after sick and wounded in time of war and protects the rights of prisoners of war. | ||
| red herring (noun) | something mentioned that takes attention away from the subject being discussed (he said something to the police that made them follow a red herring). | ||
| red tape (noun) | excessive attention to rules and regulations so that business is delayed. | ||
| redden (verb) | 1 to make or become red (redden her lips). 2 to blush (reddening in embarrassment). | ||
| reddish (adjective) | slightly red (a reddish sky). | ||
| redeem (verb) | 1 to buy back (redeeming the goods that he had pawned). 2 to buy freedom for (redeem the hostages by paying the ransom). 3 to carry out (a promise) (the government being asked to redeem its election promises). 4 to make up for (the lead actor’s performance redeemed a bad production). 5 to save from the punishment due to sin. | ||
| redeeming (adjective) | canceling out bad by good (his one redeeming feature). | ||
| redemption (noun) | the act of redeeming. | ||
| red-handed (adjective) | in the very act of doing wrong (caught red-handed stealing the money). | ||
| redhead (noun) | a person who has reddish-brown hair. | ||
| redoubtable (adjective) | to be feared, deserving respect (a redoubtable opponent). | ||
| reduce (verb) | 1 to make less, smaller, or less heavy (reducing prices ri-duc-shun/. | ||
| redundant (adjective) | more than necessary (redundant words). n redundancy | ||
| reed (noun) | 1 a tall grass-like water plant with a hollow stem. 2 that part of certain wind instruments that vibrates and so causes the sound when the instrument is blown. | ||
| reedy (adjective) | 1 covered with reeds. 2 high-pitched and thin (a reedy voice). | ||
| reef knot (noun) | a symmetrically tied double knot. | ||
| reef1 (noun) | 1 a ridge of rock or sand just above or just below the surface of the water (a ship stuck on a reef). 2 a crack in a rock containing gold. | ||
| reef2 (noun) | one of the parts of a sail that can be rolled or folded up. vb to roll or fold up the reefs of a sail. | ||
| reek (noun) | a strong unpleasant smell (the reek of burnt grass). vb 1 to give off a smell, especially an unpleasant one (breath reeking of garlic). 2 to show or suggest strongly something bad or unpleasant (a situation reeking of bribery). | ||
| reel (noun) | 1 a frame or roller around which string, thread, photographic film, etc, may be wound. 2 a lively Scottish dance. vb 1 to wind on to a reel. 2 to stagger (people reeling down the street). reel off to tell without stopping or hesitating (able to reel off the names of every person at the meeting). | ||
| refer (verb) | (referred , referring ) 1 to make mention of (refer to the help of his parents in his speech). 2 to advise to consult elsewhere (the doctor referred her to a specialist). 3 to look up a certain item in a book (refer to a dictionary). 4 to pass (a matter) on to another for decision (refer the complaint to his manager). | ||
| referee (noun) | 1 a person who is chosen to give a clear decision in case of doubt (take the dispute to a referee). 2 in games, a person who sees that the rules are kept (the football referee). | ||
| reference (noun) | 1 mention (there was a reference in his speech to his parents’ help). 2 directions as to where to find certain items, passages, etc, in a book (a map reference). 3 a person who is ready to supply information about the character, behavior, etc, of another (his former schoolteacher acted as a referee for his job application). 4 a letter giving information about the character, behavior, etc, of a person who applies for a job (they refused to give her a reference as her work was so bad). | ||
| reference book (noun) | a book (e.g. a dictionary like this one) that supplies information. | ||
| refill (verb) | to fill again (refill your cup). n refill the act of refilling something (free refills of coffee). | ||
| refine (verb) | 1 to purify (refined oil). 2 to make more polite and civilized (a school supposed to produce refined young ladies). adj refined | ||
| refinery (noun) | a place for purifying sugar, oil, etc. | ||
| reflect (verb) | 1 (of a mirror) to show the image of. 2 to throw back, especially rays of light or heat. 3 to think about carefully (reflect on the best course of action). 4 to be a cause (of praise or blame) for (his behavior reflects badly on his parents). | ||
| reflection | Collective noun for narcissists (A reflection of narcissists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| reflection (noun) | 1 the image seen in a mirror, etc (her reflection in the store window). 2 the act of reflecting (light, an image, etc). 3 a thought, deep or careful thought (on reflection I think we will go). 4 blame (his bad conduct is a reflection on his parents). | ||
| reflective (adjective) | thoughtful (in a reflective mood). | ||
| reflector (noun) | a polished surface for reflecting light or heat. | ||
| reflex (adjective) | automatic (jerking your leg when the kneecap is tapped is a reflex action). n an unintentional movement of the body caused by something outside it. | ||
| reflex angle (noun) | an angle between 180 degrees and 360 degrees. | ||
| Reflexology | study of reflexes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| reform (verb) | 1 to make or become better (reform the system). 2 to give up bad habits (a criminal who promised to reform). n a change for the better. n reformer | ||
| reformation (noun) | a thorough change for the better. | ||
| refract (verb) | to change the direction of (a ray of light, sound, etc). n refraction | ||
| refrain1 (verb) | to hold (yourself) back from doing something (refrained from saying what they thought). | ||
| refrain2 (noun) | a line or phrase that is repeated several times in a song or poem; a chorus. | ||
| refresh (verb) | to give new strength, energy, power, etc (felt refreshed after a night’s sleep). adj refreshing adv refreshingly | ||
| refreshment (noun) | (often pl) a light meal, a snack, a drink (provide refreshments for the party guests). | ||
| refrigerate (verb) | to make cold, to freeze (refrigerate the meat to keep it fresh). n refrigeration | ||
| refrigerator (noun) | an apparatus for preserving food, etc, by keeping it cold. | ||
| refuel (verb) | (of an aircraft or a ship) to take on more fuel. | ||
| refuge (noun) | a place of shelter from danger or distress (a national wildlife refuge). | ||
| refugee (noun) | a person who is fleeing from danger, a person who leaves his or her country to seek shelter in another (refugees from the famine area). | ||
| refund (verb) | to repay. n refund 1 the act of refunding. 2 the amount refunded (get a refund for the faulty goods). | ||
| refurbish (verb) | to redecorate or restore (the restaurant was completely refurbished). | ||
| refusal (noun) | act of refusing (their refusal of the invitation/his refusal to go). | ||
| refuse1 (verb) | 1 not to accept (refuse the invitation). 2 to say that you will not do or give something (refuse to plead guilty). | ||
| refuse2 | see garbage. | ||
| refute (verb) | to prove (an argument) wrong or that something is not the case (refuting the suggestion that he was wrong). n refutation | ||
| regain (verb) | 1 to get possession of again (regain the throne). 2 to reach again (regain the shore). | ||
| regal (adjective) | of or like a king, royal, magnificent (a regal procession). | ||
| regale (verb) | 1 to supply with plenty of food and drink. 2 to entertain (regaling them with stories of his adventures). | ||
| regalia (noun, plural) | objects worn or carried as signs of royalty (e.g. a crown, etc) or high office. | ||
| regard (verb) | 1 to consider (regarded as a nuisance by his teachers). 2 (formal) to look at (he regarded her questioningly). n 1 respect (she is held in high regard). 2 (formal) attention (have regard to the icy roads). npl good wishes (send your mother my regards). | ||
| regarding (preposition) | concerning (suggestions regarding the new plans). | ||
| regardless (adverb) | paying no attention, not caring about (regardless of cost). | ||
| regatta (noun) | a race meeting for boats and yachts. | ||
| regency (noun) | 1 rule by a regent. 2 the office of regent. 3 the period during which a regent rules. | ||
| regenerate (verb) | to improve after a period of worsening, to give fresh faith or energy to (try to regenerate the club by bringing in young members). n regeneration | ||
| regent (noun) | a person who governs during the youth, absence, or illness of a monarch. | ||
| reggae (noun) | a type of popular music of West Indian origin. | ||
| regime (noun) | a method or system of government (a military regime). | ||
| regiment | Collective noun for hypocrites (A regiment of hypocrites) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| regiment (noun) | a body of soldiers commanded by a colonel, an army unit consisting of several battalions. | ||
| regimental (adjective) | having to do with a regiment (a regimental mascot). | ||
| regimentation (noun) | strict organization and control. | ||
| region (noun) | 1 a part of a country, often a large area of land (the coastal region). 2 neighborhood (a pain in the region of his kidney reej-nal/. | ||
| register (noun) | 1 an official list (a register of qualified doctors). 2 a book in which records (e.g. of births, deaths, school attendance, etc) are kept. 3 the distance from the highest to the lowest note of a singing voice or musical instrument. vb 1 to write down in a register (register a complaint). 2 to give details to an official for writing in a register (register the baby’s birth). 3 to pay extra postage to ensure that a letter or parcel reaches its destination safely (register the parcel containing the medicine). 4 to show (what one is feeling) (her face registered dismay). | ||
| registrar (noun) | an official who keeps a register. | ||
| registration (noun) | act of registering. | ||
| registry (noun) | an office where official records of births, deaths, marriages, etc, are kept. | ||
| regress (verb) | to move backward (the patient’s condition is regressing, according to the doctor). adj regressive | ||
| regression (noun) | backward movement, a falling away. | ||
| regret (verb) | (regretted , regretting ) 1 to be sorry for what one has said or done (regrets his foolish action). 2 to remember with sorrow (he deeply regrets his criminal days). n sorrow, grief (feel regret for his foolish actions ri-gret-ful ri-gret-fu-lee/. | ||
| regrettable (adjective) | unfortunate, unwelcome (it is regrettable that such behavior is allowed). adv regrettably | ||
| regular (adjective) | 1 normal, usual (his regular route). 2 done always in the same way or at the same time (regular habits). 3 occurring acting, etc with equal amounts of space, time, etc between (a regular pulse re-gyu-la-ri-tee re-gyu-lar-lee/. | ||
| regular army (noun) | that part of the army in which people who wish to make soldiering their career are kept in training. | ||
| regulate (verb) | 1 to control (regulate expenditure). 2 to alter (a machine) until it is working properly (regulate a watch). | ||
| regulation (noun) | a rule, an order, an instruction (obey the club’s regulations). adj as laid down in the rules (regulation sportswear). | ||
| regulator (noun) | 1 a lever by which you can control a machine. 2 a person who controls. | ||
| regurgitate (verb) | (formal) 1 to throw up again from the stomach (the sick dog regurgitated its food). 2 to repeat without change (simply regurgitating what his teacher told him). | ||
| rehabilitate (verb) | to bring back to a normal life or normal standards of behavior by treatment or instruction (rehabilitate criminals ree-ha-bi-li-tay-shun/. | ||
| rehearsal (noun) | a practice before a performance (the last rehearsal before the opening night). | ||
| rehearse (verb) | 1 to practice, especially in preparation for public performance (rehearse for the performance). 2 (formal) to repeat aloud, to give a list of (rehearse the various rules). | ||
| reign (noun) | 1 rule. 2 the time during which a king or queen has ruled. vb 1 to rule as a sovereign. 2 to exist (silence reigned). | ||
| reimburse (verb) | to repay what someone has lost or spent (have his travel expenses reimbursed by the company). n reimbursement | ||
| rein (noun) | 1 the strap by which a driver or rider directs a horse. 2 control (keep a tight rein on expenses). vb to check or control with the rein (rein in the horse). | ||
| reindeer (noun) | a deer found in northern parts of America and Europe. | ||
| reinforce (verb) | 1 to make stronger (reinforce the elbows of the coat with leather patches). 2 to supply with more soldiers, helpers, etc (reinforce the aid workers with new recruits). | ||
| reinforcement (noun) | the act of reinforcing. npl more or fresh troops, etc (the aid workers require reinforcements). | ||
| reinstate (verb) | to put back in a former position (he was fired from his post but has been reinstated). n reinstatement | ||
| reiterate (verb) | to repeat again and again (reiterate the instructions). n reiteration | ||
| reject (verb) | 1 to refuse to accept (reject the criticism). 2 to throw back or away (reject goods that were not up to standard). n someone or something that has been rejected. n rejection | ||
| rejoice (verb) | to be glad or joyful, to make glad, to express your joy (the team rejoicing at their victory). | ||
| rejoicing (noun) | a feeling or expression of joy. npl celebrations. | ||
| rejuvenate (verb) | to make feel young again. n rejuvenation | ||
| relapse (verb) | to fall back into evil or sickness after improving (she was getting better after surgery but she has suffered a relapse). Also n | ||
| relate (verb) | 1 to show or see the connection between (the rise in crime may be related to poverty). 2 (formal) to tell (related the story of his escape). adj related | ||
| relation (noun) | 1 a person who belongs to the same family by birth or marriage (invite all their relations to the wedding). 2 a connection (a possible relation between crime and unemployment). 3 (formal) a story, an account. n relationship | ||
| relative (adjective) | 1 considered in comparison with others (the relative methods of the two systems). 2 having to do with (facts relating to the present situation). 3 (formal) (in grammar) referring to an earlier word in the sentence. n a person who belongs to the same family, by birth or marriage (relatives on the mother’s side). | ||
| relative pronoun (gram) | a pronoun, such as “who” or “which”, referring to an earlier word in the sentence. | ||
| relatively (adverb) | 1 quite (she is still relatively young). 2 when compared with others (compared with flying, rail travel is relatively cheap). | ||
| relax (verb) | 1 to take a complete rest, to become less tense or worried (relax after the working day by listening to music). 2 to loosen (relaxed his grip on the rope). 3 to become or make less strict or severe (relaxed the rules toward the end of the semester). | ||
| relaxation (noun) | 1 rest, amusement after work (go to the movies for relaxation). 2 loosening (relaxation of his grip). 3 making less severe (relaxation of the rules). | ||
| relaxing (adjective) | 1 restful. 2 causing a feeling of tiredness. | ||
| relay (noun) | 1 a supply of fresh men or horses to take over from tired ones (a relay of firefighters). 2 a relay race. 3 the sending out of a radio or television signal or show that has been received from somewhere else. vb to rebroadcast a radio message or show received from elsewhere. | ||
| relay race (noun) | a team race in which each member of a team covers part of the whole distance. | ||
| release (verb) | 1 to set free (release the prisoner). 2 to let go (released his hold of the rope). 3 to unfasten (release the safety catch on the gun). 4 to make public (released the details of the president’s death). Also n. | ||
| relegate (verb) | to put down to a lower position (the story was relegated to page 16). | ||
| relent (verb) | to become less severe, to give way (their mother relented and let the children go to the party). | ||
| relentless (adjective) | without pity, unmerciful, continuous (relentless criticism). adv relentlessly | ||
| relevant (adjective) | having to do with the matter under consideration (discuss matters relevant to the situation). n relevance , relevancy | ||
| reliability (noun) | trustworthiness. | ||
| reliable (adjective) | able to be trusted (reliable witness). adv reliably | ||
| reliance (noun) | trust, confidence (put their reliance in his judgment). | ||
| reliant (adjective) | relying on, depending on (reliant on the financial help of her parents). | ||
| relic (noun) | something old-fashioned that still exists (a village custom that is a relic of Colonial times). npl relics (formal) a dead body. | ||
| relief (noun) | 1 complete or partial freeing from pain or worry (treatment that gave her some relief). 2 money, etc, given to the poor or those who have lost everything in a disaster (charitable organizations sent relief to the refugees). 3 a person who takes another’s place on duty (the bus driver waited for his relief). 4 forcing an enemy to end the siege of a town (the relief of Mafeking). 5 a piece of sculpture in which the design stands out just beyond a flat surface. 6 a clear outline. | ||
| relieve (verb) | 1 to set free from or lessen (pain or worry) (a medicine to relieve her back pain). 2 to give help to. 3 to take another’s place on duty (relieve the soldier on duty). 4 to force an enemy to end the siege of a town (the army marched to relieve the city). | ||
| religion (noun) | 1 belief in and worship of a god or gods. 2 belief, faith. 3 love of God. | ||
| religious (adjective) | 1 loving God. 2 holy. adv religiously | ||
| relinquish (verb) | to give up (relinquish his post as manager). | ||
| relish (verb) | 1 to enjoy the taste of (relish a glass of good wine). 2 to like or enjoy (relish a competitive game of tennis). n 1 a taste, flavor. 2 enjoyment. 3 a sharp-tasting sauce (put relish with your hamburger). | ||
| relive (verb) | to remember (an experience) in detail as if living through it again. | ||
| reluctant (adjective) | unwilling (reluctant to speak in public). n reluctance. adv reluctantly | ||
| rely (verb) | 1 to trust in (relying on his judgment). 2 to depend on (relied on her parents for financial help). | ||
| remain (verb) | 1 to stay on in a place (asked to remain in the house). 2 to be left over (a little money remained after the bills had been paid). 3 to continue to be (they remained friends). | ||
| remainder (noun) | that which is left over or behind (for the remainder of the evening). | ||
| remains (noun, plural) | 1 that which is left (the remains of the meal). 2 (formal) a dead body (bury his remains this afternoon). | ||
| remand (verb) | to send back to prison while further inquiries are being made (the accused has been remanded). n 1 act of remanding. 2 the state of being remanded. | ||
| remark (verb) | 1 to say (she remarked that it was a pleasant day). 2 to comment (on) (he remarked on her beautiful ring). n 1 something said (he made a remark about her appearance). 2 (formal) notice, attention (clothing that could not escape remark). | ||
| remarkable (adjective) | worthy of notice, extraordinary (of remarkable intelligence ri-mar-ka-blee/. | ||
| remedial (adjective) | intended or helping to cure. | ||
| remedy (noun) | 1 a cure (a remedy for headaches). 2 a medicine (herbal remedies). 3 any way of putting right what is wrong (seek a remedy for truancy). vb 1 to cure. 2 to put right (remedy the injustice). | ||
| remember (verb) | 1 to keep in mind (remember her youth with pleasure). 2 to recall to the mind (try to remember his name). 3 to give greetings from another (remember me to your father). | ||
| remembrance (noun) | 1 memory. 2 a souvenir. | ||
| remind (verb) | to cause to remember (you will have to remind him to come to the meeting). | ||
| reminder (noun) | something that helps you to remember (sent him a reminder about the unpaid bill). | ||
| reminisce (verb) | to tell stories of your past (old people reminiscing about their youth). | ||
| reminiscence (noun) | 1 a memory of your past (a childhood reminiscence). 2 the remembering of the past. npl stories about your past (she had so many reminiscences to share). | ||
| reminiscent (adjective) | 1 remembering the past (in a reminiscent mood). 2 reminding of the past (a style reminiscent of Renoir). | ||
| remiss (adjective) | (formal) careless, not doing your duty properly (it was remiss of them to forget their father’s birthday). | ||
| remission (noun) | 1 the reduction of a prison sentence (given six months’ remission for good behavior). 2 a period when an illness is less severe (the cancer patient is in remission at the moment). | ||
| remnant (noun) | a small piece or part left over, especially of fabric (make an apron with the remnant). | ||
| remorse (noun) | great sorrow for having done wrong (he showed remorse for his crimes). adj remorseful adv remorsefully | ||
| remorseless (adjective) | feeling no remorse, pitiless (a remorseless tyrant). adv remorselessly | ||
| remote (adjective) | 1 distant, far away, out of the way (a remote village). 2 not closely related (a remote cousin ri-mote-lee/. | ||
| remote control (noun) | 1 a system which allows a device or machine to be controlled from a distance, using electrical, electronic, or radio signals (a model boat operated by remote control). 2 also remote a hand-held device that enables the user to operate a television set etc from a distance. | ||
| removal (noun) | 1 act of removing (the removal of the stain from the fabric). 2 a change of dwelling place (the removal will be completed by the weekend). | ||
| remove (verb) | 1 to take from its place (remove a book from the shelf). 2 to take off (removed his socks). 3 to dismiss (remove him from the post of manager). adj removable | ||
| Renaissance (noun) | a revival, especially of interest in arts and learning, as in the 15th century. | ||
| render (verb) | 1 to give (for services rendered). 2 to perform in a certain way (a piano solo beautifully rendered). 3 to translate (render the Latin passage into English). 4 to cause to be (her reply rendered him speechless). | ||
| rendering | Collective noun for architects (A rendering of architects) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rendering (noun) | 1 a translation. 2 a particular performance. | ||
| rendezvous (noun) | 1 (formal) an agreed meeting place (the summer house was the lovers’ usual rendezvous). 2 a meeting (a midnight rendezvous). | ||
| rendition (noun) | a particular performance (his rendition of “Danny Boy”). | ||
| renew (verb) | 1 to make new again (renew his club membership). 2 to begin again (renew their assault on the town). adj renewable n renewal | ||
| renounce (verb) | 1 to give up (renounce his claim to the throne). 2 to state that you will have nothing more to do with (renounce his religion). n renunciation | ||
| renovate (verb) | to make like new, to repair and clean (renovate the old building re-nu-vay-shun/. | ||
| renown (noun) | fame, glory (he won renown as a writer). | ||
| renowned (adjective) | famous (a renowned scientist). | ||
| rent1 (noun) | a payment made for the use of land, a house, etc. vb 1 to get the use of by paying rent (students rent a house from him). 2 to let or hire out for rent (rent his apartment to students). | ||
| rent2 (noun) | (formal) a tear, a split (a rent in the drapes). | ||
| rental (noun) | rent, the sum paid in rent (TV rental). | ||
| repair (verb) | 1 to mend (repair the broken fence). 2 to put right, make up for (repair the wrong done to them). 3 to go. n 1 returning to good condition, mending. 2 a mended place (the obvious repair to the dress). 3 condition for using (in poor repair). | ||
| repay (verb) | 1 to pay back (repay the money borrowed). 2 to treat in a like way (repay her kindness with abuse). | ||
| repayment (noun) | 1 the act of repaying. 2 the sum repaid. | ||
| repeal (verb) | to withdraw, to set aside, to abolish (to repeal the law). Also n. | ||
| repeat (verb) | 1 to do or say again (repeat the order/repeat the task). 2 to speak aloud something learned by heart (repeat a poem). Also n. | ||
| repeatedly (adverb) | again and again (he hit the target repeatedly). | ||
| repel (verb) | (repelled , repelling ) 1 to cause dislike (he is so dirty he repels me). 2 to drive back (repel the enemy army). | ||
| repellent (adjective) | causing dislike or disgust (a repellent sight). n that which is able to repel or drive away something (an insect repellent). | ||
| repent (verb) | to feel sorry for having said or done something (repent his wickedness). n repentance adj repentant | ||
| repertoire (noun) | 1 a performer’s stock of musical pieces, poems, etc (the comedian’s repertoire of jokes). 2 a company’s stock of plays ready for acting. | ||
| repetition (noun) | 1 act of repeating (his repetition of the instructions). 2 saying from memory (the child’s repetition of the poem). adj repetitious | ||
| replace (verb) | 1 to put back in place (replacing the book on the shelf). 2 to take the place of (she replaced him as school principal). | ||
| replacement (noun) | 1 act of replacing. 2 a person or thing that takes the place of another. | ||
| replenish (verb) | to fill up again (replenish the guests’ glasses). n replenishment | ||
| replica (noun) | 1 an exact copy of a work of art (a replica of the original piece). 2 a reproduction, especially of a smaller size (a replica of the Statue of Liberty). | ||
| replicate (verb) | to make an exact copy of. | ||
| reply (verb) | to answer (replied to their questions/replying to their initiative). n an answer. | ||
| report (verb) | 1 to give as news or information, to tell (report a new medical development). 2 to write an account of, especially for a newspaper (she reported on foreign affairs for a national newspaper). 3 to make a complaint about for having done wrong (report the boys who played truant to the teacher). 4 to tell someone in authority (report the theft to the police). n 1 a spoken or written account of work performed (e.g. by a committee, a student). 2 an account of something that has been said or done, especially when written for a newspaper. 3 a rumor (there were reports that he had married). 4 a loud noise (a report from a gun). | ||
| reporter (noun) | a person who reports for a newspaper or television/radio broadcast. | ||
| repose (verb) | 1 (formal) to lay at rest, to lie at rest. 2 to place (repose her trust in someone not worthy of it). n 1 rest, sleep (seek repose). 2 calmness (her face in repose). | ||
| represent (verb) | 1 to stand for, or make to stand for, as a sign or likeness (the white dove representing peace). 2 to be a picture or statue of. 3 to have the right to speak or act for (the lawyer representing her). 4 to describe or declare, perhaps falsely (he represented himself as someone whom they could trust). 5 (formal) to be, to constitute (it represented a considerable improvement on previous attendance figures). 6 to be the representative of (a firm). | ||
| representation (noun) | 1 the act of representing or being represented. 2 an image or likeness (a representation of the king in oils). 3 (formal) a protest or objection (make representations about the rise in fees). | ||
| representative (adjective) | typical, standing for others of the same class (a representative sample). n 1 a person who acts for another (the lawyer acted as her representative). 2 a person who sells goods for a business firm (a representative for a publisher). 3 an elected member of the house of representatives. | ||
| repress (verb) | to keep under control, to keep down, to restrain (repress a desire to laugh). | ||
| repression (noun) | strict control, restraint. | ||
| repressive (adjective) | (formal) intended to keep down or restrain (a repressive form of government). | ||
| reprieve (verb) | to let off punishment, to pardon (he faced the death sentence but was reprieved). Also n. | ||
| reprimand (noun) | a severe scolding. vb to scold severely (reprimand the children for their manners). | ||
| reprint (verb) | to print again (reprinted six times). n reprint a new printing or edition. | ||
| reprisal (noun) | something done by way of punishment or revenge (their raid was a reprisal for our earlier attacks). | ||
| reproach (verb) | to accuse and blame, to scold, usually with a suggestion of sadness or disappointment (she reproached him for letting everyone down). n 1 scolding, blame (a look of reproach/words of reproach). 2 something that brings shame (his bad conduct brought reproach on his family). | ||
| reproachful (adjective) | accusing, shameful. | ||
| reproduce (verb) | 1 to cause to be heard, seen, or done again (unable to reproduce the results reproduce sound). 2 to increase by having offspring (rabbits reproduce rapidly). n reproduction adj reproductive | ||
| reptile (noun) | a class of cold-blooded animals that crawl or creep (e.g. snake, lizard). | ||
| republic (noun) | a state entirely governed by elected persons, there being no sovereign. | ||
| republican (adjective) | having to do with a republic. n a person who prefers republican government. | ||
| repugnance (noun) | disgust. | ||
| repugnant (adjective) | (formal) very unpleasant, disgusting (a repugnant smell). | ||
| repulse (verb) | (formal) 1 to drive back, to defeat (repulse the enemy attacks). 2 to refuse sharply (to repulse his offer). n 1 a defeat. 2 a refusal. | ||
| repulsion (noun) | dislike, disgust. | ||
| repulsive (adjective) | hateful, disgusting (a repulsive sight). | ||
| reputable (adjective) | having a good name, respectable (it is important to choose a reputable real-estate agent). | ||
| reputation (noun) | 1 your good name, your character as seen by other people (damage her reputation to be seen with such a crook). 2 fame (establish a reputation as an artist). | ||
| repute (noun) | reputation. vb to consider to be. | ||
| reputed (adjective) | supposed (to be) (she is reputed to be very wealthy). | ||
| reputedly (adverb) | as is commonly supposed. | ||
| request (verb) | to ask for (request them to order a book/request a piece of music to be played). n 1 the act of asking for something (go there at his request). 2 a favor asked for (grant his request). | ||
| requiem (noun) | 1 a church service in which prayers are said for a dead person. 2 a musical composition for the dead. | ||
| require (verb) | 1 to need (we have all we require to make the meal). 2 to demand by right, to order (the children are required to attend school). | ||
| requirement (noun) | 1 a need, something needed (a store that is able to supply all our requirements). 2 a necessary condition (a requirement for entry to university). | ||
| rerun (noun) | a repeat of a television show; a television show that is broadcast again (there have been far too many reruns on TV recently). | ||
| rescue (verb) | to save from danger or evil (rescue the dog from drowning). n act of rescuing. n rescuer | ||
| research (noun) | careful study to discover new facts (her son has been engaged in medical research for many years). Also v. | ||
| resemble (verb) | to be like (she resembled her mother). n resemblance | ||
| resent (verb) | to be angered by, to take as an insult (resent their interference in her life). | ||
| resentful (adjective) | showing anger, full of annoyance (resentful of their interference ri-zent-fu-lee/. | ||
| resentment (noun) | anger, indignation (feel resentment at their treatment). | ||
| reservation (noun) | 1 something kept back. 2 a condition. 3 land set aside for some special purpose (e.g. as a place for Native Americans to live). 4 a booked place or seat. | ||
| reserve (verb) | 1 (formal) to keep back for future use (reserve some food for later). 2 to order or book for future use (reserve seats at the movies). n 1 something kept back for future use (a reserve of money for emergencies). 2 land set aside for some special purpose (a nature reserve). 3 shyness, unwillingness to show your feelings (her reserve made her appear unfriendly). npl reserves troops kept out of battle for use where and when needed. | ||
| reserved (adjective) | shy, not showing what you are thinking or feeling (a very reserved young woman). | ||
| reservoir (noun) | 1 a place where the water supply of a city is stored. 2 a store (a reservoir of oil/a reservoir of information). | ||
| reside (verb) | to dwell, to live (in). | ||
| residence (noun) | dwelling, house. | ||
| residency (noun) | the house of an official, e.g. a governor. | ||
| resident (noun) | a person who lives somewhere (a resident of Boston). Also adj. | ||
| residential (adjective) | 1 suitable for living in. 2 (of a district) having many dwelling houses. | ||
| residual (adjective) | (formal) left after the rest has been taken (his residual income after the bills were paid). | ||
| residue (noun) | the remainder, what is left over (he left most of his estate to his children and the residue was divided among his nephews). | ||
| resign (verb) | 1 to give up (resigned his post as manager). 2 to give up an office or post (he threatened to resign). 3 to accept as inevitable (he resigned himself to defeat). n resignation | ||
| resigned (adjective) | accepting as inevitable; patient, submissive (a resigned attitude to trouble). | ||
| resilient (adjective) | 1 able to spring back to a former position after being bent (rubber is a resilient material). 2 having good powers of recovery (she has had much misfortune but has been very resilient). n resilience | ||
| resin (noun) | a sticky substance that oozes from certain plants, e.g. firs, pines, etc. adj resinous | ||
| resist (verb) | 1 to stand against, to fight against, to oppose (resist the enemy advances). 2 to face or allow yourself not to accept (she cannot resist chocolate cake). | ||
| resistance (noun) | the act or power of resisting, opposition (to put up no resistance to the invading army). | ||
| resistant (adjective) | offering resistance. | ||
| resolute (adjective) | determined, bold, having the mind made up (resolute in their efforts to succeed). adv resolutely | ||
| resolution (noun) | 1 determination (proceed with resolution). 2 a firm intention (a New Year resolution to give up smoking). 3 a proposal for a meeting to vote on (those in favor of the resolution raised their hands). 4 the decision of a meeting on a certain matter (pass a resolution to change the rules). 5 (formal) the act of solving (the resolution of the problem). | ||
| resolve (verb) | 1 to determine (resolve to try again). 2 to break up into parts or elements (resolve a chemical substance). 3 to solve (resolve the problem). n 1 a fixed purpose (his resolve was to make a lot of money). 2 determination (he proceeded with resolve to save the company from going out of business). | ||
| resonant (adjective) | 1 echoing. 2 deep-sounding (a resonant voice). n resonance | ||
| resort (verb) | to make use of, to turn to (resort to crime to pay his debts). n 1 a place to which you go frequently. 2 a place where many people go on vacation. in the last resort as a last possibility (in the last resort he can borrow from his father). | ||
| resound (verb) | to echo, to give back the sound of (the cave resounded to the children’s shouts). | ||
| resounding (adjective) | 1 echoing. 2 very great (a resounding success). | ||
| resource (noun) | 1 a means of obtaining help, something turned to in time of need (the local library was a useful learning resource). 2 (often pl) a source of economic wealth, especially of a country (oil is one of the country’s most valuable resources). | ||
| resourceful (adjective) | full of clever plans (his resourceful use of materials saved money). | ||
| respect (verb) | 1 to think highly of (the critics respect him as a writer). 2 to pay attention to (respect their wishes). n 1 honor (treat older people with respect). 2 care or attention (treat their wishes with respect). npl good wishes (send his respects to the old man). | ||
| respectability (noun) | 1 state of deserving respect. 2 decency. | ||
| respectable (adjective) | 1 deserving respect, decent (not thought respectable by the neighbors) 2 socially acceptable (respectable clothing). 3 large enough, good enough, etc (a respectable score). adv respectably | ||
| respectful (adjective) | showing respect or honor to (children told to be respectful to their elders ri-spect-ful-ee/. | ||
| respecting (preposition) | (formal) having to do with (respecting his position in the firm). | ||
| respective (adjective) | each to his/her own, proper to each (they all went to their respective homes). | ||
| respectively (adverb) | belonging to each in the order already mentioned (James and John got grades of A and B plus respectively). | ||
| respiration (noun) | (formal) breathing. | ||
| respirator (noun) | a mask with a filter worn over the nose and mouth to purify the air breathed in. | ||
| respiratory (adjective) | (formal) having to do with breathing (a respiratory infection). | ||
| respond (verb) | 1 to answer (failed to respond to the question). 2 to do as a reaction to something that has been done (he smiled but she did not respond). | ||
| respondent (noun) | (formal) the defendant in a lawsuit, especially in divorce. | ||
| response (noun) | 1 an answer, a reply (in response to the question). 2 a reaction (a magnificent response to the charity’s appeal). | ||
| responsible (adjective) | 1 able to be trusted (responsible members of staff). 2 having to say or explain what you have done (he is responsible for his actions). 3 being the cause of something (responsible for the confusion). n responsibility adv responsibly | ||
| responsive (adjective) | quick to react (responsive to the suggestions). | ||
| rest1 (noun) | 1 a pause in work. 2 inactivity. 3 sleep (a good night’s rest). 4 a support or prop (he aimed the rifle using the wall as a rest). vb 1 to cease from action. 2 to stop work for a time (rest for a few minutes). 3 to be still or quiet (the young children are resting). 4 to sleep or repose. 5 to be supported (by) (his feet resting on the table). | ||
| rest2 (noun) | that which is left, the remainder. | ||
| restaurant (noun) | a place where one may buy and eat meals. | ||
| restaurateur (noun) | a person who keeps a restaurant. | ||
| restful (adjective) | peaceful, quiet (have a restful vacation). | ||
| restive (adjective) | unable to keep still, impatient (children getting restive at their desks). | ||
| restless (adjective) | 1 always on the move (too restless to stay in one job for long). 2 not restful, giving no rest (spent a restless night). | ||
| restore (verb) | 1 to bring back (restore law and order). 2 to put back (they restored him to his former post). 3 to make strong again (restored by his vacation). 4 to bring back to an earlier state or condition (restore old furniture). n restoration | ||
| restrain (verb) | to hold back, to check (restrain the dog from biting people). | ||
| restraint (noun) | 1 self-control. 2 lack of freedom. | ||
| restrict (verb) | to set limits to, to keep down (the number or amount of) (restrict the amount of money spent/restrict their freedom). | ||
| restriction (noun) | a rule or condition that lessens freedom. | ||
| restrictive (adjective) | (formal) lessening freedom, keeping under control (restrictive clothing). | ||
| result (noun) | 1 that which happens as the effect of something else, the outcome (the result of the election/as a result of the accident). 2 the final score in a sports contest. vb 1 to follow as the effect of a cause (blindness resulting from the accident). 2 to end (in) (the research resulted in a new drug on the market). | ||
| resumé (noun) | 1 a summary (the résumé of what happened at the meeting). 2 also CV (British spelling) a brief list of a person’s qualifications, work experience and accomplishments. | ||
| resume (verb) | 1 (formal) to begin again (he will resume his studies). 2 to take back (resume his seat after speaking). | ||
| resumption (noun) | the act of resuming. | ||
| resurgence (noun) | (formal) a rising again (a resurgence of terrorist activity). | ||
| resurrect (verb) | 1 to raise or bring back again (resurrect an old law). 2 to raise to life again after death (Christians believe Christ was resurrected). | ||
| resurrection (noun) | a rising again from the dead. | ||
| resuscitate (verb) | to bring back to life or consciousness (try to resuscitate the man who had a heart attack). n resuscitation | ||
| retail (verb) | 1 to sell direct to the public in small amounts (he retails tobacco goods). 2 to sell (these sweaters retail at $50 each). n the sale of goods in small quantities (the retail trade). n retailer | ||
| retain (verb) | 1 to continue to use, have, remember, etc (retain control of the firm/a town that has retained its churches). 2 to hold back (a wall built to retain the water). 3 to engage someone’s services by paying a fee in advance (retain a lawyer). | ||
| retainer (noun) | 1 (old) a follower (the king’s retainers). 2 an advance fee for someone’s services (the lawyer is paid a retainer). | ||
| retaliate (verb) | to return like for like, to get your own back (she retaliated by punching him). n retaliation | ||
| retard (verb) | to make slow or late, to make go more slowly, to delay (the bad weather retarded the growth of the crops). n retardation | ||
| retch (verb) | to try to vomit. Also n. | ||
| retention (noun) | (formal) act of retaining. | ||
| reticent (adjective) | unwilling to speak to others, silent (a reticent person re-ti-senss/. | ||
| retina (noun) | the inner layer of the eye to which are connected the ends of the nerves that enable us to see. | ||
| retinue | Collective noun for ophthalmologists (A retinue of ophthalmologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| retire (verb) | 1 to leave your work for ever because of old age, illness, etc (he retired at the age of 60). 2 to go to bed (retire shortly after midnight). 3 (formal) to go back or away (the jury retired to consider their verdict). | ||
| retired (adjective) | 1 having given up your business or profession (a retired businessman). 2 out-of-the-way, quiet (a retired country village). | ||
| retirement (noun) | 1 the act of retiring (his early retirement was due to poor health). 2 the time after you have finished your working life (he spent his retirement enjoying his hobbies). | ||
| retiring (adjective) | shy, not fond of company (he was a retiring young man who did not enjoy parties). | ||
| retort (verb) | to reply quickly or sharply. n 1 a quick or sharp reply. 2 a thin glass bottle with a long bent-back neck, used for heating chemicals. | ||
| retrace (verb) | to go back over again (retraced her steps to look for the lost ring). | ||
| retract (verb) | to say that a previous opinion was wrong, to take back what you have said (retracted his accusation). n retraction | ||
| retreat (verb) | 1 to go back (they had to retreat from the fire). 2 (of an army) to move back away from the enemy. n 1 act of retreating (the retreat of the enemy). 2 a quiet, out-of-the-way place, a place of peace and safety (a popular country retreat). 3 a period of rest, meditation, prayer, etc (spend a week in retreat). | ||
| retribution (noun) | just punishment for wrong done (take retribution on the terrorists). | ||
| retrieve (verb) | 1 to find again (retrieve the glove she left behind). 2 to find and bring back (dogs retrieving birds killed by hunters). 3 to undo harm or loss undergone (apologized to try to retrieve the situation). | ||
| retriever (noun) | a dog trained to fetch birds shot by hunters. | ||
| retro- | prefix backward. | ||
| retrospect (noun) | looking back to the past (in retrospect, he wasn’t so bad really). | ||
| retrospection (noun) | a looking back to the past. | ||
| retrospective (adjective) | looking back to the past (a retrospective mood). | ||
| return (verb) | 1 to come or go back (they returned to the house). 2 to give or send back (return his present unopened). n 1 a coming or going back (their return from vacation). 2 what is given or sent back (the return of the library books). 3 profit (a good return from their investment). 4 a written statement of certain facts, expenses, figures, etc (their annual tax return). | ||
| reunion (noun) | a meeting again of old friends or comrades (a school reunion). | ||
| reunite (verb) | to join together again (reunited with her sister whom she had not seen for 20 years). | ||
| re-use (verb) | to use again (re-use wrapping paper). Also n. adj re-usable. | ||
| rev (verb) | rev up to increase the speed of a motor. | ||
| Rev, Rev. | short for Reverend. | ||
| reveal (verb) | 1 to show what was hidden (open the box to reveal a diamond). 2 to make known (reveal what should have been confidential information). | ||
| reveille (noun) | a morning call on the bugle, etc, to waken soldiers. | ||
| revel (noun) | merry-making, a noisy feast (student revels). vb 1 (old) to make merry. 2 to take great delight (in) (she revels in the misfortune of others). n reveler | ||
| revelation (noun) | 1 act of making known (the revelation of her secrets). 2 a surprising discovery or piece of information (the revelation caused great dismay). | ||
| revelry (noun) | noisy feasting or merry-making. | ||
| revenge (noun) | making someone suffer for a wrong done to another, repaying evil with evil (he wanted revenge for his brother’s death). Also vb. adj revengeful | ||
| revenue (noun) | money made by a person, business, or state (increase in annual revenue). | ||
| reverberate (verb) | to echo (the caves reverberated with the child’s laughter). n reverberation | ||
| revere (verb) | (formal) to feel great respect for (young writers revering the great author). | ||
| reverence (noun) | respect and admiration (treat the great artist with reverence). | ||
| Reverend (noun) | a title given to a member of clergy. abbreviation Rev. | ||
| reverent (adjective) | showing or feeling great respect (a reverent attitude toward writers). | ||
| reverential (adjective) | full of reverence (his reverential attitude toward other artists). | ||
| reverse (verb) | 1 to turn back to front or upside down (reverse the tablecloth). 2 to go or move backward (he reversed the car into the garage). 3 to change to the opposite (reverse her opinion). n 1 a defeat (armies retreating after a major reverse). 2 a failure (firms facing a reverse during the recession). 3 the opposite (she thinks the reverse of what he does). 4 the back of a coin, medal, etc. adj 1 opposite. 2 back. | ||
| reversible (adjective) | 1 able to be reversed (a reversible opinion). 2 that can be turned outside in (a reversible coat). | ||
| revert (verb) | 1 to go back to a former condition, custom, or subject (revert to the old bad habits). 2 to return or be returned to the previous owner or member of his/her family (when she dies the land reverts to her brother’s family). | ||
| review (verb) | 1 to look over again, to consider with a view to changing (review the situation). 2 to inspect (the general reviewing the troops). 3 to write your opinion of (books, plays, etc). n 1 a looking back on the past (a review of the year’s news). 2 reconsideration or revision (a review of company policy). 3 an article in a newspaper, magazine, etc, giving an opinion on a book, play, etc (a review of the latest movie). 4 a magazine that reviews books, plays, etc (a literary review). | ||
| reviewer (noun) | a person who writes reviews, a critic (the play was praised by the reviewer). | ||
| revile (verb) | to speak insultingly about or to (revile the government). | ||
| revise (verb) | to go over again and correct or improve (revise the manuscript). n reviser | ||
| revision (noun) | the act of revising. | ||
| revitalize (verb), | also revitalise (British spelling) to put new life or strength into (this movie revitalized her career). | ||
| revival (noun) | 1 the act of reviving. 2 the arousing of fresh enthusiasm for religion. | ||
| revivalist (noun) | a person who tries to arouse fresh enthusiasm for religion. | ||
| revive (verb) | 1 to bring back to life, health, or consciousness (able to revive the man who nearly drowned). 2 to bring back to use or an active state (revive an old custom). 3 to give new vigor or energy to (revive their interest in sport). 4 to produce an old play in the theater (revive an early musical). | ||
| revoke (verb) | to do away with, to withdraw (revoke an existing rule). n revocation | ||
| revolt (verb) | 1 to rebel (the townspeople revolting against the government). 2 to shock or disgust (the sight of blood revolts him). n a rebellion, a rising against the government. | ||
| revolting (adjective) | disgusting, shocking (a revolting sight). | ||
| revolution (noun) | 1 one complete turn of a wheel, etc. 2 a complete change (the technological revolution). 3 a movement or rebellion as a result of which a new method of government is introduced (the French Revolution). | ||
| revolutionary (adjective) | desiring to bring about a complete change (revolutionary developments in technology). n a person who works for a complete change of government. | ||
| revolutionize (verb), | also revolutionise (British spelling) to bring about a complete change in (recent developments are likely to revolutionize the whole industry). | ||
| revolve (verb) | 1 to turn around and around. 2 to move around a center or axis. | ||
| revolver (noun) | a pistol able to fire several shots without reloading. | ||
| revue (noun) | a light theatrical entertainment with music, songs, dances, etc. | ||
| revulsion (noun) | a sudden complete change of feeling; disgust (feel revulsion at the sight of blood). | ||
| reward (noun) | 1 something given in return for work done, good behavior, bravery, etc (he was given a reward for helping to save the child from drowning ri-war-ding/. | ||
| Rhabdophobia | fear of being severely punished or of being severely criticized (see list of phobias) | ||
| rhapsodize (verb), | also rhapsodise (British spelling) (formal) to talk in an excited, disconnected manner (rhapsodizing over their vacation in Mexico). | ||
| rhapsody (noun) | 1 a piece of writing, music or speech full of excited feeling and therefore not following the usual rules of composition (Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”) 2 (usually pl) an expression of excited approval (go into rhapsodies over the new baby). | ||
| Rheology | study of the deformation or flow of matter (see list of branches of science) | ||
| rhetoric (noun) | 1 the art of speaking and writing well. 2 words that sound well but say little of importance (they thought the politician’s speech was just rhetoric). n rhetorician | ||
| rhetorical (adjective) | high-sounding. | ||
| rhetorical question (noun) | a question asked for effect where no answer is expected. | ||
| rheumatism , rheumatics (noun) | a disease causing painful swelling in the joints (have difficulty in moving around because of his rheumatism). adj rheumatic | ||
| Rheumatology | study of rheumatism (see list of branches of science) | ||
| rhinoceros (noun) | a large thick-skinned animal with a horn (or two horns) on its nose. | ||
| Rhinology | study of the nose (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Rhochrematics | study of inventory management and the movement of products (see list of branches of science) | ||
| rhododendron (noun) | an evergreen shrub with large brightly colored flowers (pink rhododendrons growing along the driveway). | ||
| rhombus (noun) | (pl rhombuses or rhombi ) a parallelogram with equal sides but angles that are not right angles. | ||
| rhubarb (noun) | a garden plant with juicy stalks edible when cooked and roots sometimes used in medicines (rhubarb jam). | ||
| rhumba | Collective noun for rattlesnakes (A rhumba of rattlesnakes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rhyme, rime (noun) | 1 sameness of sound at the ends of words or lines of poetry. 2 a word that rhymes with another. 3 a poem with rhymes. vb 1 to find words ending in the same sound(s). 2 to end in the same sound(s) as. 3 to write poetry. rhyme or reason sense, meaning, logic (she quit her job for no rhyme or reason). | ||
| Rhypophobia | fear of defecation (see list of phobias) | ||
| rhythm n 1 | the regular beat of words or sounds (especially in poetry, music, or dancing) (tapped her feet to the rhythm of the music). 2 a regular repeated pattern of movements, graceful motion (the rhythm of the dancers). | ||
| rhythmic , rhythmical (adjective) | having a regular beat, regular. adv rhythmically | ||
| Rhytiphobia | fear of getting wrinkles (see list of phobias) | ||
| rib (noun) | 1 one of the curved bones of the breast (cracked a rib in the accident/a rib of beef). 2 a low narrow ridge or raised part of a material. 3 a curved piece of wood attached to the keel of a ship and going up to the deck. | ||
| ribald (adjective) | coarse, indecent, vulgar (ribald jokes/ribald laughter). | ||
| ribaldry (noun) | coarse talk. | ||
| ribbon (noun) | a narrow decorative band of silk or other material (tie a ribbon in her hair). | ||
| rice (noun) | a white edible grain often grown in hot countries, especially in river valleys (served with fried rice). | ||
| rice paper (noun) | 1 a kind of fine paper. 2 a special form of this that can be eaten and is used in cookery. | ||
| rich (adjective) | 1 having much money, wealthy (a rich man). 2 fertile (rich soil). 3 valuable (a rich silk). 4 plentiful (a rich source of gold). 5 containing much fat or sugar (rich sauces). 6 deep, strong (a rich voice rich-ness/. | ||
| riches | Collective noun for matrons (A riches of matrons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| riches (noun, plural) | wealth. | ||
| richess | Collective noun for martins (A richess of martins) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| richly (adverb) | 1 in a rich manner (richly dressed). 2 with riches (richly rewarded). | ||
| richness | Collective noun for martens (A richness of martens) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| richness | Collective noun for minks (A richness of minks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rick (noun) | a heap or stack of hay, etc. | ||
| rickety (adjective) | shaky, unsteady (a rickety table). | ||
| rickshaw (noun) | a light two-wheeled carriage pulled by a person. | ||
| ricochet (noun) | the skimming of a bullet off a flat surface. vb to hit something and bounce away at an angle (the bullet ricocheted off the wall). | ||
| rid (verb) | (rid or ridded , ridding ) to make free from, to clear (try to rid themselves of their boring guests). | ||
| riddle1 (noun) | a puzzling question. | ||
| riddle2 (noun) | a large sieve (use a riddle to separate stones from the soil). vb 1 to sift. 2 to fill with holes. | ||
| ride (verb) | (pt rode , pp ridden ) 1 to be carried on the back of an animal or on a vehicle (ride a donkey). 2 to be able to ride on and control a horse, bicycle, etc (the little girl is slowly learning to ride her bicyle but she still wobbles a lot). n a trip on an animal’s back or in a vehicle. | ||
| rider (noun) | 1 a person who rides (a horse-rider). 2 something added to what has already been said or written (the teacher added the rider that he expected everyone to be on time). | ||
| ridge (noun) | 1 a long narrow hill. 2 the raised part between two lower parts (the ridge of the roof of the house). 3 a mountain range (they walked along the ridge before climbing to the top of the mountain). | ||
| ridicule (noun) | mockery. vb to mock, to make fun of (she was ridiculed by her classmates). | ||
| ridiculous (adjective) | deserving to be laughed at, absurd (the large hat made her look ridiculous). adv ridiculously | ||
| riding habit (noun) | the clothes worn for riding. | ||
| rife (adjective) | found everywhere; in large numbers or quantities; extremely common (disease and poverty were rife). | ||
| riffraff | Collective noun for knaves (A riffraff of knaves) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rifle1 (noun) | a handgun with a grooved barrel that makes the bullet spin in flight. | ||
| rifle2 (verb) | to search through and steal anything valuable (the burglar rifled through her papers). | ||
| rift (noun) | 1 a disagreement between two friends (a rift between neighbors). 2 a split or crack in the ground. | ||
| rig (verb) | (rigged , rigging ) 1 to provide clothing (rig the child out for the party). 2 to provide tools or equipment. 3 to provide (a ship) with ropes, sails, etc. 4 to set up (rig up a shelter). 5 to arrange wrongfully to produce a desired result, often an unfair or unlawful one (rig the election). n the particular way in which a ship’s masts, sails, etc, are arranged. | ||
| rigging (noun) | a ship’s spars, ropes, etc. | ||
| right (adjective) | 1 correct (the right answer). 2 true (is it right to say he left early?). 3 just, morally correct (it is not right to let him go unpunished). 4 straight (go right ahead). 5 on the side of the right hand (stand at her right side). 6 in good condition (call a plumber to put the washing machine right). 7 suitable, appropriate (the right man for the job). vb 1 to put back in position, to set in order. 2 to mend, to correct. n 1 that which is correct, good, or true (they are in the right). 2 something to which you have a just claim (freedom of speech is a right). 3 the right-hand side (stand on her right). 4 in politics, the party or group holding the more traditional, conservative beliefs (a politician of the right). adv 1 straight. 2 exactly. 3 to the right-hand side. | ||
| right angle (noun) | an angle of 90 degrees. | ||
| righteous (adjective) | 1 having just cause (righteous indignation). 2 good-living, virtuous (a righteous life rie-chus-lee rie-chus-ness/. | ||
| rightful (adjective) | lawful, just (the rightful owner). adv rightfully | ||
| right-handed (adjective) | better able to use the right hand than the left. | ||
| rightly (adverb) | 1 justly (rightly or wrongly he was blamed). 2 correctly (we rightly assumed he would refuse). | ||
| rigid (adjective) | 1 that cannot be bent (a rigid frame). 2 stern, strict, not willing to change (rigid in his views). 3 not to be changed (rigid rules). n rigidity adv rigidly | ||
| rigmarole (noun) | long and confused or meaningless talk (give clear instructions, not a rigmarole). | ||
| rigor (noun), | also rigour (British spelling) (formal) strictness, severity, harshness (the rigors of life in the orphanage). adj rigorous adv rigorously | ||
| rile (verb) | to make angry (his rudeness riled me). | ||
| rim (noun) | 1 the outer hoop of a wheel. 2 the outer edge, brim (the rim of the glass). | ||
| rime1 (noun) | white or hoar frost. | ||
| rime2 | another spelling of rhyme. | ||
| rind (noun) | 1 the skin of some fruits (lemon rind). 2 the skin of bacon, cheese, etc. | ||
| ring | Collective noun for boxers (A ring of boxers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| ring | Collective noun for jewellers (A ring of jewellers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| ring | Collective noun for keys (A ring of keys) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| ring1 (noun) | 1 a hoop of gold or other metal for the finger (a wedding ring). 2 anything in the form of a circle (the children gathered in a ring). 3 a space enclosed by ropes for a boxing match. vb (pt, pp ringed ) to surround, to encircle. | ||
| ring2 (verb) | (pt rang , pp rung ) 1 to make a clear sound as a bell. 2 to cause a bell to sound (ring the doorbell). 3 to echo (his voice ringing in her ears). n the sound of a bell. | ||
| ringleader (noun) | the leader of a gang (police failed to catch the ringleader). | ||
| ringlet (noun) | a long curl of hair (a little girl with ringlets falling to her shoulders). | ||
| rink (noun) | 1 a level stretch of ice for skating or curling. 2 a floor for roller-skating. | ||
| rinse (verb) | 1 to wash by pouring water over (rinse the cup under the faucet). 2 to dip in water and wash lightly. 3 to put in clean water to remove soap. | ||
| riot (noun) | 1 a noisy or violent disorder caused by a crowd (there was a riot when the police arrested the protester). 2 (informal) something or someone that is very funny (the comedian is a riot). 3 a bright and splendid show (a riot of color). read the riot act to give clear warning that unruly behavior must stop. run riot to go wild, to go out of control (with the teacher gone the children would run riot). | ||
| riotous (adjective) | noisy, disorderly (a riotous party). | ||
| rip (verb) | (ripped , ripping ) to tear or cut open, to strip off (she ripped her skirt on the fence). n a tear, a rent. | ||
| ripe (adjective) | 1 ready to be gathered or picked, ready for eating (ripe apples). 2 suitable or ready for (a company ripe for take-over). n ripeness | ||
| ripen (verb) | 1 to become ripe (the apples would slowly ripen). 2 to cause to become ripe (ripen fruit in a greenhouse). | ||
| ripple (noun) | 1 a little wave (a ripple on the water). 2 the sound of shallow water running over stones. 3 a sound resembling this (a ripple of laughter). vb 1 to flow in ripples. 2 to cause tiny waves to appear on. 3 to flow with a murmuring sound. | ||
| rise (verb) | (pt rose, pp risen ) 1 to get up from bed (rise early). 2 to stand up (she rose to go). 3 to go upward (smoke rising from the chimney). 4 to increase (prices rising). 5 to rebel (the people rose up against the king). 6 to move to a higher position (he has risen to become manager). 7 (of a river) to have its source or beginning. give rise to to cause or bring about (their relationship would give rise to scandal). rise to the occasion to do all that is necessary at a difficult time (he was nervous about speaking in public but he rose to the occasion). take a rise out of (informal) to play a joke or trick on. | ||
| rising (noun) | 1 the act of rising. 2 a rebellion (a rising against the tyrant). | ||
| risk | Collective noun for lobsters (A risk of lobsters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| risk (noun) | 1 danger. 2 possible harm or loss. vb 1 to put in danger, to lay open to the possibility of loss (risk his health risk losing his business). | ||
| risky (adjective) | dangerous (a risky journey). | ||
| risotto (noun) | an Italian rice dish cooked with meat, vegetables, etc. (mushroom risotto). | ||
| rite (noun) | an order or arrangement of proceedings fixed by rule or custom (marriage rites). | ||
| ritual (adjective) | having to do with or done as a rite (a ritual sacrifice). n 1 a set of rites. 2 ceremonies performed to worship God. adv ritually | ||
| rival (noun) | 1 a person who is trying to do better than another (rivals for the same girl). 2 a competitor for the same prize (rivals in the tennis competition). vb to be as good or nearly as good as (her beauty rivals her sister’s). n rivalry | ||
| river (noun) | a large running stream of water. | ||
| rivet (noun) | a bolt driven through metal plates, etc, to fasten them together and then hammered flat at both ends. vb to fix (the eyes or mind) firmly upon (they were riveted by the magician’s tricks). | ||
| rivulet (noun) | a small stream. | ||
| road (noun) | 1 a prepared public way for traveling on (the road was icy). 2 a street (he lives in the next road). 3 a way (the road to Key West). | ||
| roadhog (noun) | (informal) a dangerously reckless motorist. | ||
| roadhouse (noun) | a tavern or restaurant on or near a highway. | ||
| roadrunner (noun) | a small, brown bird with a long tail, found in the southwestern United States (roadrunners run instead of flying). | ||
| roam (verb) | to wander about (wild animals roam the plain). | ||
| roar (verb) | to give a roar (roar in pain/roar with laughter). n 1 a loud shout or cry (he gave a roar of pain). 2 the full loud cry of a large animal (the lion’s roar). | ||
| roast (verb) | to cook before a fire or in an oven (roast the meat slowly). n roasted meat (have a roast for Sunday lunch). | ||
| rob (verb) | (robbed , robbing ) 1 to steal from (rob the rich rob-er/. | ||
| robbery (noun) | the act of robbing. | ||
| robe (noun) | a long, loose-fitting garment. npl robes clothes worn as a sign of rank or position. vb to put on robes, to put robes on someone else. | ||
| robin (noun) | a red-breasted songbird, about the size of a pigeon (the American robin is a much larger bird than the little European robin). | ||
| robot (noun) | 1 a machine made to carry out certain tasks usually done by people. 2 a person who does his or her work mechanically without thinking or asking questions. adj robotic | ||
| Robotics | study of robots (see list of branches of science) | ||
| robust (adjective) | 1 healthy and strong (robust children). 2 vigorous, rough (a robust sense of humor). adv robustly n robustness | ||
| rock and roll, rock ’n’ roll (noun) | a type of popular dance music that originated in the 1950s. | ||
| rock climbing (noun) | a sport that involves the climbing of steep cliffs and rockfaces, usually with ropes. | ||
| rock salt (noun) | common salt found in solid lumps in the earth. | ||
| rock1 (verb) | 1 to move from side to side, or backward and forward in turn (rock the cradle/rock the baby). 2 to sway from side to side (boats rocking on the waves). n a type of loud popular music with a strong beat. | ||
| rock2 (noun) | 1 the hard, solid part of the earth’s crust. 2 a large mass or piece of stone (a rock fell from the cliff). | ||
| rocker (noun) | a curved piece of wood fastened to the foot of a chair, cradle, etc, to enable it to rock (fix rockers to the chair). | ||
| rockery (noun) | part of a garden consisting of a heap of earth and large stones or small rocks with plants growing between them (flowers growing in the rockery). | ||
| rocket (noun) | 1 a cylinder that is propelled through the air by a backward jet of gas. 2 a spacecraft launched in this way (send a rocket into orbit). 3 a firework that flies up into the air as it is burning out, often used as a signal (rockets went off on the 4th of July). | ||
| rocking chair (noun) | a chair on rockers. | ||
| rocking horse (noun) | a toy horse on rockers. | ||
| rocky (adjective) | 1 shaky (a rocky table). 2 full of rocks (a rocky shore). 3 hard as rock. | ||
| rod (noun) | a straight slender stick or bar (a fishing rod). | ||
| rodent (noun) | any animal that gnaws, e.g. a mouse or rat. | ||
| rodeo (noun) | 1 a gathering together of cattle for marking. 2 a display of riding skill by cowboys. | ||
| roe1 (noun) | 1 a female deer (stags and roes). 2 a small type of deer. | ||
| roe2 (noun) | all the eggs in a female fish (cod roe). | ||
| roebuck (noun) | a male roe deer. | ||
| rogue (noun) | 1 a dishonest person (the rogue stole money from the old lady). 2 a naughty, mischievous child. | ||
| roguish (adjective) | 1 dishonest. 2 mischievous, teasing (a roguish smile). | ||
| role (noun) | 1 the part played by an actor (he played the role of Hamlet). 2 your actions or duties (his role in the company). | ||
| role model (noun) | a person whom some other people admire and try to copy (the footballer was a role model for many teenage boys). | ||
| roll | Collective noun for armadillos (A roll of armadillos) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| roll | Collective noun for coins (A roll of coins) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| roll | Collective noun for drummers (A roll of drummers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| roll | Collective noun for gamblers (A roll of gamblers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| roll (verb) | 1 to move by going around and around, like a wheel or ball (roll the stone down the hill). 2 to rock or sway from side to side (ships rolling at anchor). 3 to flatten with a roller (roll the pastry). 4 to make a loud long noise (the drums rolled). n 1 paper, cloth, etc, rolled into the form of a cylinder. 2 a list of names (the school roll). 3 a turning or rocking movement (rolled his eyes). 4 a long-drawn-out noise (a roll of thunder). | ||
| roll call (noun) | the calling over of a list of names (the school roll call). | ||
| roller (noun) | 1 anything made in the form of a cylinder so that it can turn around and around easily (for flattening something) (garden rollers). 2 a long swelling wave. | ||
| roller coaster (noun) | a fairground ride like an elevated railroad with steep sharp curves. | ||
| roller skate (noun) | a skate mounted on small wheels. vb roller-skate | ||
| Rollerblade™ (noun) | a type of roller skate which has the wheels set in one straight line. n rollerblading | ||
| rollicking (adjective) | noisy and merry (a rollicking party). | ||
| rolling pin (noun) | a roller for making dough or pastry flat and thin before it is cooked. | ||
| Roman (adjective) | having to do with Rome. | ||
| Roman Catholic (noun) | a member of that part of the Christian Church that is governed by the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. | ||
| Roman numerals (noun, plural) | numbers represented by letters (e.g. IV, V, VI for 4, 5, 6, etc). | ||
| roman type (noun) | ordinary upright type (not italics). | ||
| romance (noun) | 1 a love affair (she had several romances before she married). 2 a love story (a writer of romances). 3 a story of wonderful or fanciful events (a romance about a prince and a princess). adj (of a language) derived from Latin. | ||
| romantic (adjective) | 1 showing feelings of love (a romantic gesture). 2 dealing with love (a romantic novel). 3 imaginative, fanciful (she has romantic notions of becoming a movie star). adv romantically | ||
| romp (verb) | 1 to play roughly or noisily (children romping around the garden). 2 to do swiftly and easily (romp through the examinations). n rough or noisy play. | ||
| romper (noun) | a one-piece garment for a small child. | ||
| roof (noun) | 1 the outside upper covering of a house, building, vehicle, etc (mend the roof of the castle). 2 the upper part of the mouth. vb to cover with a roof (roofed the new house). | ||
| rook (noun) | 1 a piece in chess. 2 (British spelling) a black bird of the crow family. vb to cheat someone. | ||
| rookery | Collective noun for albatrosses (A rookery of albatrosses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| room (noun) | 1 an apartment in a house (three rooms upstairs). 2 space (room for three in the back). 3 space for free movement (no room to dance). 4 scope (room for improvement). npl lodgings. | ||
| roomy (adjective) | having plenty of space (a roomy car). | ||
| roost | Collective noun for fowl (A roost of fowl) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| roost (noun) | the pole on which birds rest at night. vb to rest or sleep on a roost. | ||
| rooster (noun) | a cock. | ||
| root (noun) | 1 the part of a plant that is fixed in the earth and draws nourishment from the soil. 2 the beginning or origin, a first cause from which other things develop (the root of the problem). 3 a word from which other words are formed (from the Latin root). 4 a factor of a number that when multiplied by itself gives the original number. vb 1 to fix firmly (he felt rooted to the spot). 2 to search about for (rooting around for misplaced keys). | ||
| rope | Collective noun for onions (A rope of onions) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rope (noun) | a strong thick cord, made by twisting together strands of hemp, wire, etc. vb 1 to fasten with a rope (rope the donkeys together). 2 to mark off with a rope (rope off an area of the hall for the choir). | ||
| rosary (noun) | in the Roman Catholic Church, a series of prayers, or a string of beads each of which represents a prayer in the series. | ||
| rose (noun) | 1 a beautiful, sweet-smelling flower growing on a thorny shrub (a bunch of roses). 2 a shrub bearing roses (plant roses). 3 a light red or pink color (a dress of pale rose). 4 a nozzle full of holes at the end of the spout of a watering can. | ||
| rosemary (noun) | an evergreen sweet-smelling shrub used as a herb in cooking (lamb flavored with rosemary). | ||
| rosette (noun) | 1 a badge, like a rose in shape, made of ribbon (the politicians all wore their rosettes). 2 a rose-shaped ornament carved in stone, etc. | ||
| rosewood (noun) | a hard dark-colored wood smelling of roses when fresh cut (a table made of rosewood). | ||
| Rosh Hashana (or Hashanah ) (noun) | the Jewish New Year festival, held in September or October. | ||
| rosy (adjective) | 1 red. 2 giving cause for hope. | ||
| rot (verb) | (rotted , rotting ) 1 to go bad from age or lack of use, to decay (fruit rotting on the trees). 2 to cause to decay (damp had rotted the woodwork). n decay (rot in the wood paneling). | ||
| rotary (adjective) | turning around on an axle. n a meeting place of roads with a central circle around which vehicles must go until they turn off (give way at the rotary). | ||
| rotate (verb) | 1 to turn around a center or axis (wheels rotating). 2 to move like a wheel (trainees are rotating from department to department) | ||
| rotation (noun) | 1 movement around a center or axis. 2 a regular order repeated again and again (rotation of crops). | ||
| rotten (adjective) | 1 decaying, having gone bad (rotten fruit). 2 (informal) mean (a rotten thing to do). | ||
| Rottweiler (noun) | a breed of very large, strong dog with a black and brown coat. | ||
| rotund (adjective) | round, fattish (a rotund little man). n rotundity | ||
| rouble | see ruble. | ||
| rouge (noun) | red coloring for the cheeks (she wears too much rouge). | ||
| rough (adjective) | 1 not smooth, uneven (a rough road surface). 2 wild, stormy (rough weather). 3 not polite (rough manners). 4 not gentle (a rough voice). 5 coarse, violent (a rough hooligan). 6 badly finished (a rough building job). 7 not exact (a rough estimate). n a violent badly behaved person. adv roughly n roughness | ||
| roughage (noun) | food that conatins a lot of fiber, which aids digestion. | ||
| roughen (verb) | to make or become rough (hands roughened by scrubbing floors). | ||
| rouleau | Collective noun for haematologists (A rouleau of haematologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| roulette (noun) | a gambling game played on a revolving board with a ball that falls into one of a number of holes when the board ceases spinning (play roulette at the casino). | ||
| round | Collective noun for drinks (A round of drinks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| round | Collective noun for mailmen (A round of mailmen) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| round (adjective) | like a ball or circle in shape. n 1 a round object. 2 a duty visit to all the places under your care (the doctor’s rounds). 3 a part song in which singers join at different times and begin again when they have finished. 4 a shell or bullet for firing. 5 a division of a boxing match (a knockout in the second round). 6 a complete part of a knock-out competition (e.g. in soccer). 7 a game of golf. 8 a spell or outburst (a round of applause). adv 1 in the opposite direction (he turned round). 2 in a circle (stand all round). 3 from one person to another (pass the wine round). 4 from place to place (drive round). (preposition) 1 on every side of (sit round the table). 2 with a circular movement about (sail round the world). vb 1 to give a round shape to (he rounded the corners with sandpaper). 2 to go around (ships rounding the bay). | ||
| round trip (noun) | a journey to a place and back again. | ||
| roundabout (noun) | (British) a rotary. adj 1 indirect. 2 using too many words. | ||
| roundly (adverb) | plainly (told her roundly what he thought). | ||
| roundup (noun) | 1 the gathering of cattle or other farm animals for market. 2 a gathering of something (a roundup of this week’s news). | ||
| rouse (verb) | 1 to awaken (rouse from sleep). 2 to stir up to action (his words roused the crowd to rebellion). | ||
| rousing (adjective) | stirring, exciting. | ||
| rout | Collective noun for schoolboys (A rout of schoolboys) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rout | Collective noun for snails (A rout of snails) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rout (verb) | to defeat and put to disordered flight (rout the enemy army). n 1 a disorderly and hasty retreat after a defeat. 2 a complete defeat (a rout of the enemy). | ||
| route (noun) | a way from one place to another (take the scenic coastal route). | ||
| routine (noun) | a regular way or order of doing things (tired of her working routine). adv routinely | ||
| rove (verb) | 1 to wander about. 2 to wander. | ||
| rover (noun) | 1 a wanderer (too much of a rover to settle down). 2 (old) a pirate. | ||
| row | Collective noun for oarsmen (A row of oarsmen) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| row house (noun) | one of a series of houses, usually similar in design, situated side by side and joined by common walls. | ||
| row1 (noun) | a line of people or things (a row of trees). | ||
| row2 (verb) | to move a boat by means of oars. n 1 a spell of rowing. 2 a trip in a boat moved by oars. | ||
| row3 (noun) | 1 noise, disturbance (the row from the party next door). 2 a quarrel (a family row). 3 a public argument (a row over prison escapes). vb (informal) to quarrel (husband and wife rowing). | ||
| rowdy (adjective) | noisy and quarrelsome (a rowdy crowd). n rowdiness n rowdyism | ||
| royal (adjective) | 1 having to do with a king or queen (the royal family). 2 splendid, kingly (a royal feast). adv royally | ||
| royalist (noun) | a supporter of a king or queen. | ||
| royalty | Collective noun for princesses (A royalty of princesses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| royalty (noun) | 1 a royal person or persons (royalty was present at the dinner). 2 a share of the profits paid to authors, inventors, etc, for the use of their work (receive royalties for her work). | ||
| rub (verb) | (rubbed , rubbing ) to move one thing to and fro against another (he rubbed his eyes). rub out to remove or erase, especially with an eraser. n act of rubbing (a rub with a damp cloth). | ||
| rubber (noun) | 1 a tough elastic substance made from the juice of certain tropical trees (tires made of rubber). 2 a piece of rubber used to remove marks by rubbing; an eraser. adj rubbery | ||
| rubbish (noun) | 1 things of no value that you would throw away. 2 nonsense (she talked a lot of rubbish). | ||
| rubble (noun) | broken pieces of bricks or stones (search the rubble for earthquake survivors). | ||
| ruble (noun) | the main Russian unit of currency. | ||
| ruby (noun) | a red precious stone (a ring with a valuable ruby). adj 1 containing rubies. 2 red. | ||
| ruck (noun) | the mass of ordinary people (dreams of getting out of the ruck and becoming famous). | ||
| rudder (noun) | a flat hinged plate at the stern of a ship or the tail of an aircraft, used for steering. | ||
| rude (adjective) | 1 impolite (the child was rude to the teacher). 2 sudden and unpleasant (a rude shock) 3 (old) roughly made (a rude hut). 4 (old) uncivilized, untaught, vulgar. adv rudely n rudeness | ||
| ruff (noun) | a stiff frilled collar worn in olden times (ruffs were worn in Tudor times). | ||
| ruffian (noun) | a rough brutal fellow, a violent law-breaker (mugged by a gang of ruffians). | ||
| ruffle (verb) | 1 to disturb the smoothness of, to disarrange (the wind ruffling her hair). 2 to anger or annoy (he was ruffled by her comments). n a frill (a party dress with ruffles). | ||
| rug (noun) | 1 a mat for the floor (a rug on the floor). 2 a thick woolen coverlet or blanket (put a rug over the lady’s legs). | ||
| rugby (noun) | a form of football in which the ball, oval in shape, may be carried in the hands. | ||
| rugged (adjective) | 1 rough, uneven (rugged coastline). 2 strongly built (rugged young men). | ||
| ruin (noun) | 1 destruction (ancient buildings fallen into ruin). 2 downfall, overthrow, state of having lost everything of value (the company faced ruin during the recession). 3 (often pl) remains of old buildings (visit the castle ruins). vb 1 to destroy (the floods ruined her carpets). 2 to cause to lose everything of value (he was ruined when he lost the lawsuit). | ||
| rule (noun) | 1 government (under foreign rule). 2 a regulation or order (school rules). 3 an official or accepted standard (as a rule he is home by midnight). 4 the usual way that something happens (spelling rules). vb 1 to govern, to manage (a king ruling the country). 2 to give an official decision (the judge ruled that he go to prison). 3 to draw a straight line with the help of a ruler. | ||
| ruler (noun) | 1 a person who governs or reigns (rebel against their ruler). 2 a flat rod for measuring length (draw a straight line with a ruler/measure with a ruler). | ||
| ruling (adjective) | greatest, controlling (the ruling party). n a decision (the ruling of the judge). | ||
| rum (noun) | spirit made from sugar cane. | ||
| rumba (noun) | a dance of Cuban origin. | ||
| rumble (verb) | to make a low rolling noise (I can hear the thunder rumbling in the distance). Also n. | ||
| ruminant (adjective) | chewing the cud (ruminant animals such as cows). n an animal that chews the cud. | ||
| ruminate (verb) | 1 to chew the cud (cows ruminating). 2 (formal) to think deeply (ruminating about his chances of success). | ||
| rummage (verb) | to search thoroughly but untidily (rummage through her purse for a comb). Also n. | ||
| rummy (noun) | a card game. | ||
| rumor (noun), | also rumour (British spelling) 1 a widely known story that may not be true (he is not in prison—that was just a rumor). 2 common talk, gossip (a story based on rumor). | ||
| rump (noun) | 1 the end of an animal’s backbone. 2 the buttocks (smack the horse’s rump). | ||
| rumple (verb) | to crease, to spoil the smoothness of (clotheing rumpled after the long journey). | ||
| rumpus (noun) | a noisy disturbance or quarrel, an uproar (there was a rumpus when the concert was canceled). | ||
| run | Collective noun for poultry (A run of poultry) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| run (verb) | (ran , running , pp run ) 1 to move quickly (run to catch the bus). 2 to move from one place to another (a train running from Philadelphia to New York). 3 to take part in a race (he runs in local race meetings). 4 to flow (blood running from the wound). 5 to organize or manage (she runs the local branch of the company). 6 to smuggle (run drugs across the border). 7 to last or continue (a play running for a year). 8 to compete in a competition or an election (run for governor). n 1 act of running (go for a run). 2 the length of time for which something runs (a run of six months). 3 a widespread demand for (a sudden run on bathing costumes). 4 an enclosed place for animals or fowls (a chicken run). run down 1 to say bad things about (she is supposed to be her friend but she is always running her down). 2 to stop working because of lack of power (e.g. because a spring is unwound) (a clock running down). run over 1 to read or repeat quickly (run over the words of the poem). 2 to knock over in a vehicle (she ran over the dog). | ||
| runaway (noun) | 1 a deserter, a person who runs away (police looking for a runaway). 2 an animal or vehicle that is out of control. | ||
| rung (noun) | a step of a ladder (climb the ladder rung by rung). | ||
| runner (noun) | 1 a person who runs (the runners in the race). 2 a messenger (a runner for the advertizing agency). 3 a long spreading stem of a plant. 4 a long narrow cloth for a table or carpet for a stair. 5 any device on which something slips or slides along (the runners on the sledge). | ||
| runner-up (noun) | (pl runners-up ) the person or team second to the winner (he was disappointed when his child was runner-up in the finals). | ||
| running (adjective) | 1 going on all the time (a running commentary). 2 in succession (two years running). n 1 the act of moving quickly. 2 that which runs or flows. in the running with a chance of success (he thought he was in the running for the manager’s job). | ||
| running mate (noun) | a candidate for the lesser of two political posts, such as vice-president. | ||
| runny (adjective) | liquid, flowing (runny soup). | ||
| Runology | study of runes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| runway (noun) | a flat road along which an aircraft runs before taking off or after landing. | ||
| rupee (noun) | the main unit of currency in India and Pakistan. | ||
| Rupophobia | fear of dirt (see list of phobias) | ||
| rupture (noun) | 1 a clean break. 2 a quarrel or disagreement. 3 the thrusting of part of the intestine through the muscles of the abdomen. vb 1 to break. 2 to thrust. 3 to quarrel. | ||
| rural (adjective) | having to do with the country or its way of life (the rural way of life). | ||
| ruse (noun) | a trick (it was just a ruse to get himself into the party). | ||
| rush | Collective noun for pochard (A rush of pochard) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| rush1 (verb) | 1 to move quickly and with force (he rushed to help her). 2 to do hastily (rush the job). 3 to make someone hurry (rush him to make a decision). 4 to capture by a sudden quick attack (rush the enemy fortress). n 1 hurry (always in a rush). 2 a fast and forceful move (a rush toward the exit). 3 a sudden demand (a rush on toys at Christmas). 4 a sudden advance (a rush by the enemy army). | ||
| rush2 (noun) | a tall grass-like plant growing in damp or marshy ground. | ||
| Russophobia | fear of Russia or Russians (see list of phobias) | ||
| rust (noun) | the red coating formed on iron and steel left in a damp place. vb to decay by gathering rust (water pipes rusting through). | ||
| rustic (adjective) | (formal) having to do with the country or country people (a rustic way of life). | ||
| rustle1 (verb) | to make a low whispering sound (leaves rustling in the wind). Also n. | ||
| rustle2 (verb) | to steal (cattle). n rustler | ||
| rusty (adjective) | 1 covered with rust. 2 out of practice (her piano playing is a bit rusty). | ||
| rut (noun) | a deep track made by a wheel (there were deep ruts in the road made by trucks). in a rut so tied by habits and customs that you are no longer interested in new or better methods (in a rut and looking for another job). | ||
| rutabaga (noun) | a swede; a Swedish turnip; a thick bulbous edible root | ||
| ruthless (adjective) | cruel, merciless, showing no pity (a ruthless judge who imposes harsh sentences). adv ruthlessly n ruthlessness | ||
| rye (noun) | 1 a grain used for making bread. 2 rye bread. | ||
| rye bread (noun) | bread made with rye flour. | ||
| rye grass (noun) | a type of grass used as fodder for animals. | ||
| Rypophobia | fear of filth, defecation, or of being soiled (see list of phobias) | ||
S
| S, s (noun) | the nineteenth letter of the alphabet. | ||
| Sabbath (noun) | 1 the seventh day of the week, Saturday, set aside for rest and worship observed by Jews and some Christian groups. 2 Sunday as the usual day of Christian rest and worship. | ||
| saber (noun), | also sabre (British spelling) heavy sword with a slightly curved blade. | ||
| sable (noun) | 1 a type of weasel with dark-colored fur. 2 its fur. adj black, dark. | ||
| sabotage (noun) | the destroying, wasting, or ruining of something on purpose. Also vb. n saboteur a person who destroys, wastes, or ruins something on purpose. | ||
| sac (noun) | a small bag of liquid inside an animal or plant. | ||
| saccharine (noun) | a very sweet substance used instead of sugar. adj saccharine too sweet or syrupy. | ||
| sachet (noun) | a small, sealed envelope or bag (she kept a sachet of dried lavender in her drawer to scent her clothing). | ||
| sack | Collective noun for quarterbacks (A sack of quarterbacks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sack1 (noun) | 1 a bag made of coarse cloth for holding flour, wool, etc. vb (informal) to dismiss someone from his or her job (the manager had to sack one of his employees for continually being late). | ||
| sack2 (verb) | to rob and destroy a town after capturing it. Also n. | ||
| sacred (adjective) | holy, set apart for the service of God (sacred music). | ||
| sacrifice (noun) | 1 an offering to a god or God. 2 the act of giving up something desirable. 3 something given up in this way (they were the kind of parents who were always making sacrifices for their children). vb 1 to make an offering to God or a god. 2 to give up something that is important to that person. adj sacrificial | ||
| sacrilege (noun) | disrespectful or insulting treatment of something holy. adj sacrilegious | ||
| sacrosanct (adjective) | 1 very holy. 2 to be treated only with great respect (private papers regarded as sacrosanct). | ||
| sad (adjective) | sorrowful, unhappy. | ||
| sadden (verb) | to make sad. | ||
| saddle (noun) | 1 a seat for a rider on a horse or bicycle. 2 meat taken from an animal’s back (saddle of beef). vb 1 to put a saddle on. 2 to give (to another) something troublesome (he was only too happy to saddle others with his responsibilities). in the saddle in control (their father had been in the saddle for so long that he was finding it difficult to think about retiring). | ||
| sadist (noun) | a person who takes pleasure in giving pain to another. n sadism adj sadistic | ||
| safari (noun) | a hunting trip, especially one in Africa. | ||
| safe (adjective) | 1 out of harm or danger (children safe in bed). 2 not likely to cause harm, danger, or risk (a safe job). n a strong box or room for valuables. adv safely. | ||
| safeguard (noun) | any person or thing that protects. Also vb. | ||
| safekeeping (noun) | a keeping or being kept in safety (the hotel guest handed in her passport at the reception desk for safekeeping). | ||
| safety (noun) | freedom from danger, harm, or loss. | ||
| safety belt (noun) | 1 a belt that attaches a person to another object to keep him/her safe (the window cleaner used a safety belt). 2 a belt that attaches a driver or passenger to the seat in a car, plane, etc (she always made sure her children were wearing safety belts when they were in the car). | ||
| safety pin | a pin bent back on itself so as to cover the point when fastened. | ||
| saffron (noun) | 1 a type of crocus, purple or white in color with yellow to orange stigmas. 2 the dried stigmas of this plant which are used to color or flavor food. adj an orange to deep yellow color. | ||
| sag (verb) | (sagged , sagging ) 1 to sink in the middle. 2 to droop, to hang down. adj saggy | ||
| saga (noun) | 1 a Scandinavian story of heroes, customs, battles, etc. 2 a very long adventure story. | ||
| sage1 (adjective) | wise. n a wise person (she discussed the problem with a sage man who was wise in the ways of the world). | ||
| sage2 (noun) | 1 a sweet-smelling Mediterranean plant, used as a herb in cooking. 2 a grayish-green color. | ||
| sago (noun) | a type of flour, used in certain puddings. | ||
| saguaro (noun) | a giant cactus with a thick, spiny stem and white flowers native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. | ||
| said | past participle of say. | ||
| sail (noun) | 1 a canvas spread to catch the wind. 2 a trip in a boat moved by sails. 3 the arm of a windmill. vb 1 to travel on water by way of a sail. 2 to move along without effort (she sailed through her exams and got top marks). | ||
| sailboard (noun) | a board, used in windsurfing, similar to a surfboard with a sail attached to it. | ||
| sailboat (noun) | a boat or ship that has sails, by which it moves through the water. | ||
| sailer (noun) | a ship or boat that has sails, used with reference to the way it sails (a swift sailer). | ||
| sailing (noun) | 1 the act of a thing or person that sails. 2 the sport of managing a sailboat, as for racing. | ||
| sailor (noun) | a person who makes a living by sailing. | ||
| sailplane (noun) | a light glider especially designed for soaring. | ||
| saint (noun) | 1 a person who is very good, patient, helpful, etc. 2 a title given to an especially holy person by certain Christian churches. adj saintly adj sainted | ||
| sainthood (noun) | the status or rank of a saint. | ||
| sake1 (noun) | for the sake of 1 purpose, motive (for the sake of peace and quiet). 2 advantage, good (for the sake of his health). for my sake to please me. | ||
| sake2 (noun) | a Japanese alcoholic drink made from rice. | ||
| salaam (noun) | 1 a greeting, meaning peace, used among Muslims. 2 in India, a greeting made by bowing low with the palm of the right hand on the forehead. | ||
| salable (adjective) | that can be sold. | ||
| salacious (adjective) | indecent, obscene. | ||
| salad (noun) | a dish of lettuce and other vegetables, mostly raw but sometimes cooked and sometimes including meat, fish, cheese, or fruit, usually served with a dressing. | ||
| salamander (noun) | a lizard-like animal that can live both on land and in water. | ||
| salami (noun) | a highly spiced, salted sausage of pork or beef. | ||
| salary (noun) | the fixed sum of money paid to someone for work over an agreed length of time, usually a month or a year. | ||
| sale (noun) | 1 the act of selling. 2 the exchange of anything for money. 3 a selling of goods more cheaply than usual (January sales). | ||
| sales tax | a tax on things that are sold, usually a percentage (some states have a high sales tax). | ||
| salesman , saleswoman , salesperson (noun) | a person engaged in selling products. | ||
| salesmanship (noun) | skill in selling things. | ||
| salient (adjective) | 1 sticking outwards. 2 most important (the salient points of his plan). n in war, a narrow strip of land jutting into enemy territory. | ||
| salina (noun) | a salt marsh, lake, or pond. | ||
| saline (adjective) | containing salt. n a salt lake or spring. | ||
| salinize (verb), | also salinise (British spelling) to put salt into. | ||
| saliva (noun) | the liquid that keeps the mouth moist; spittle. adj salivary | ||
| salivate (verb) | to produce excess saliva (salivating in front of the chocolate cake). | ||
| sallow1 (noun) | a type of willow tree. | ||
| sallow2 (adjective) | having a slightly yellow skin. | ||
| salmon (noun) | a large fish with pinkish flesh and silver scales, greatly valued for food and sport. | ||
| salmonella (noun) | a kind of bacteria that can cause sickness in people or animals. | ||
| salon | Collective noun for Poodles (A salon of Poodles) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| salon (noun) | 1 a public room in a home, hotel, etc, where people gather. 2 a building or room used for a particular business, such as hairdressing, the selling of fashionable clothes, etc. | ||
| saloon (noun) | 1 a large public room in a passenger ship. 2 a bar, a place where alcoholic drinks are sold and drunk. | ||
| salsa (noun) | 1 a type of Latin American dance music. 2 a spicy tomato sauce eaten with Mexican food. | ||
| salt (noun) | a white powder or crystalline solid, obtained from sea water or by mining, used to give flavor to or to preserve food. vb to flavor or preserve with salt. adj containing or tasting of salt. adj salty | ||
| salt-and-pepper (adjective) | dotted or specked with black and white. | ||
| saltcellar (noun) | a small container for holding salt for use at table. | ||
| saltine (noun) | a flat, crisp cracker with salt grains baked onto its top. | ||
| saltire (noun) | a St Andrew’s cross (X). | ||
| saltshaker (noun) | a container for salt with a top that has a hole or holes in it for shaking over food. | ||
| saltwater (adjective) | having to do with salt water or the sea (saltwater fish tank). | ||
| salutation (noun) | a greeting. | ||
| salute (verb) | 1 to greet. 2 to make a gesture of respect by raising the right hand to the forehead or cap. n 1 the gesture of respect made by saluting. 2 the firing of guns as a welcome or mark of respect. | ||
| salvage (noun) | 1 the saving of a ship or its cargo from loss. 2 the saving of property from any sort of destruction. 3 property saved in this way. vb to save from destruction, shipwreck, fire, etc (they managed to salvage some of their personal possessions from the flood). | ||
| salvation (noun) | 1 the saving or being saved from danger, evil, difficulty, destruction, etc. | ||
| salve (noun) | a medicine applied to wounds, burns, etc, to sooth or heal. | ||
| salvo | Collective noun for shells (A salvo of shells) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| samba | Collective noun for shopping carts (A samba of shopping carts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| samba (noun) | 1 a South American dance of African origin. 2 music for this dance. | ||
| same (adjective) | in no way different (the same person/the same mistake). n the same person or thing (I’ll have the same). adv in a like manner. | ||
| sameness (noun) | lack of change or variety. | ||
| same-sex (adjective) | of or relating to people of the same sex. | ||
| Samhainophobia | fear of Halloween (see list of phobias) | ||
| samosa (noun) | a small pastry turnover, originally from India, filled with a spicy meat or vegetable mixture. | ||
| sampan (noun) | a small flat-bottomed boat used in China. | ||
| sample | Collective noun for salesmen (A sample of salesmen) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sample (noun) | a part or piece given to show what the whole is like (a sample of the artist’s work). vb to try something to see what it is like (sample the cake). | ||
| sampler (noun) | a cloth sewn with designs, words, etc, in different types of stitches to show a beginner’s skill. | ||
| samsara (noun) | in Hinduism, the cycle in which the same soul is reborn again and again. | ||
| samurai (noun) | a member of the Japanese military class of people. | ||
| sanctify (verb) | to make holy or sacred. n sanctification | ||
| sanctimonious (adjective) | pretending to be holy or religious. n sanctimony | ||
| sanction (noun) | 1 permission (with the sanction of the police). 2 a punishment imposed to make people obey a law (trade sanctions imposed on countries that invade other countries). vb to permit. | ||
| sanctity (noun) | holiness. | ||
| sanctuary (noun) | 1 a place where a person is safe from pursuit or attack. 2 a place providing protection, such as a reserve for wildlife. 3 a holy place such as a church or temple. | ||
| sanctum (noun) | 1 a person’s private room where he or she is not to be bothered. 2 a sacred place. | ||
| sand (noun) | 1 loose, gritty pieces of tiny particles of rock, shell, etc. 2 pl stretches of sand on the seashore. vb to rub with sandpaper to make smooth. | ||
| sand dollar (noun) | a kind of flat, round, spiny-skinned sea creature that lives on ocean beds. | ||
| sand hopper (noun) | any of the various tiny animals that jump like fleas on beaches. | ||
| sand painting (noun) | in Navajo healing ceremonies, the sprinkling of colored sands into designs. | ||
| sandal (noun) | a type of shoe to protect the sole, leaving the upper part of the foot largely uncovered except by straps, etc. | ||
| sandalwood (noun) | any of several kinds of sweet-smelling wood. | ||
| sandbag (noun) | a bag filled with sand and used for protection against enemy attack or to protect against floods. | ||
| sandbar (noun) | a ridge of sand formed in a river or along a shore by the currents or tides. | ||
| sandbox (noun) | a box or pit filled with sand in which children can play. | ||
| sander (noun) | a person or tool that sands. | ||
| sandiness (noun) | a sandy state or quality. | ||
| sandlot (adjective) | having to do with games, especially baseball, played by people who were not professionals. | ||
| sandman (noun) | a fairytale person who is thought to make children sleepy by dusting sand in their eyes. | ||
| sandpaper (noun) | paper made rough by a coating of sand, used for smoothing and polishing. | ||
| sandpiper (noun) | a wading bird of the snipe family. | ||
| sandstone (noun) | a stone made up of sand pressed together. | ||
| sandstorm (noun) | a windstorm in which large amounts of sand are blown about in the air near the ground. | ||
| sandwich (noun) | two slices of bread with meat, cheese, salad, etc, in between them. vb to fit between two other things. | ||
| sandy (adjective) | 1 covered with sand, full of sand. 2 the color of sand, a reddish yellow. | ||
| sane (adjective) | 1 having a normal, healthy mind. 2 sensible. | ||
| sangria (noun) | a punch made with wine, fruit juice, pieces of fruit, and soda water. | ||
| sanitarium (noun), | also sanatorium (British spelling) a quiet resort where people go to rest and regain their health, usually taking advantage of natural resources such as mineral springs. | ||
| sanitary (adjective) | having to do with health or cleanliness. | ||
| sanitary napkin (noun) | a cotton-filled pad worn by women during menstruation. | ||
| sanitation (noun) | 1 the process or methods of keeping places clean and healthy. 2 a drainage or sewage system. | ||
| sanitize (verb), | also sanitise (British spelling) to make sanitary. | ||
| sanity (noun) | 1 the condition of being sane. 2 good sense. | ||
| sans (preposition) | without, lacking. | ||
| Sanskrit (noun) | an ancient language of India. Also adj. | ||
| sap (noun) | the juice that flows in plants, trees, etc, and feeds the various parts. vb (sapped , sapping ) to weaken gradually (sap a person’s strength). | ||
| sapling (noun) | a young tree. | ||
| sapphire (noun) | 1 a precious stone of a rich blue color (her ring consisted of a large sapphire surrounded by diamonds). 2 its color. Also adj. | ||
| sappy (adjective) | 1 (of plants) full of sap. 2 (sl) foolish, silly. | ||
| sarcasm (noun) | a mocking remark intended to hurt another’s feelings. | ||
| sarcastic (adjective) | 1 given to sarcasm. 2 mocking, scornful. | ||
| Sarcology | study of fleshy parts of the body (see list of branches of science) | ||
| sarcophagus (noun) | (pl sarcophagi ) a stone coffin. | ||
| sardine (noun) | a small fish of the herring family. | ||
| sardonic (adjective) | bitterly sneering, mocking. | ||
| sari (noun) | the dress of women in India, Pakistan, etc, consisting of a long piece of cloth wrapped around the body to form an ankle length skirt with the other end draped across the chest, over the shoulder, and sometimes over the head. | ||
| Sarmassophobia | fear of love play (see list of phobias) | ||
| sarong (noun) | an item of clothing consisting of a length of often brightly colored cloth worn wrapped around the waist like a skirt by both men and women. | ||
| sarsaparilla (noun) | 1 any of a number of tropical, woody vines of the lily family with fragrant roots and heart-shaped leaves. 2 the dried roots of these plants, formerly used in medicine. 3 a sweetened, carbonated drink flavored with sarsaparilla. | ||
| sash1 (noun) | a scarf worn around the waist or across the body over one shoulder. | ||
| sash2 (noun) | a window frame. | ||
| sashay (verb) | to move, walk, etc in such a way as to attract attention or show off. | ||
| sashimi (noun) | a Japanese dish of thin slices of fresh raw fish served with soy sauce. | ||
| sasquatch (noun) | a large, hairy, human-like creature with long arms said to live in the mountains of northwestern North America. | ||
| sass (noun) | rash talk. vb to talk rashly, to talk without thinking of the consequences. adj sassy | ||
| sassafras (noun) | 1 a small eastern North American tree having a pleasant-smelling bark. 2 the aromatic dried root bark of this tree used as a flavoring. | ||
| Satan (noun) | 1 in Judaism, any of various beings that accuse or criticize humanity. 2 in Christian belief, the enemy of humankind and of goodness, the Devil. | ||
| satanic (adjective) | of, like, or having to do with the Devil. | ||
| Satanism (noun) | worship of Satan. | ||
| Satanology | study of the devil (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Satanophobia | fear of Satan (see list of phobias) | ||
| satay (noun) | a dish consisting of chunks of flavored meat broiled on sticks and dipped in a spicy peanut sauce. | ||
| satchel (noun) | a small bag worn on the shoulder or back for carrying books, clothes, etc. | ||
| sate (verb) | to satisfy a want fully. | ||
| satellite (noun) | 1 a celestial body that moves around a planet or a star. 2 an artificial body placed in orbit around the earth or another planet in order to collect information or for communication. 3 a person who follows or serves another. 4 a country that is totally in the power of another. | ||
| satellite dish (noun) | bowl-shaped device on the outside of a building for receiving television signals sent by a satellite. | ||
| satiate (verb) | 1 to satisfy fully. 2 to give more than enough. | ||
| satiety , satiation (noun) | 1 the state of having more than enough. 2 over-fullness. | ||
| satin (noun) | a silk or nylon cloth that is shiny on one side. | ||
| satire (noun) | a piece of writing in which persons, customs, actions, etc, are mocked and made to appear foolish. adj satirical | ||
| satirist (noun) | a person who writes satires. | ||
| satirize (verb), | also satirise (British spelling) to make seem foolish in satire. | ||
| satisfaction (noun) | 1 contentment. 2 the feeling of having enough. | ||
| satisfactory (adjective) | 1 good enough (a satisfactory answer). 2 quite good (satisfactory work). | ||
| satisfy (verb) | 1 to give all that is requested or expected (satisfy her demand). 2 to be enough (satisfy their appetites). 3 to convince (satisfy them that he was innocent). | ||
| satori (noun) | the understanding of truth spiritually, used in Zen Buddhism. | ||
| satsuma (noun) | a small, loose-skinned kind of orange. | ||
| saturate (verb) | to soak something so thoroughly that it cannot take in any more liquid. n saturation | ||
| Saturday (noun) | the seventh day of the week. | ||
| Saturn (noun) | the sixth planet away from the sun. | ||
| satyr (adjective) | a mythical creature, half man, half goat. | ||
| sauce (noun) | 1 a liquid poured on foods to improve or bring out the flavor. 2 (informal) rash or impudent talk, sass. | ||
| saucepan (noun) | a small pot with a lid and handle. | ||
| saucer (noun) | a small plate placed under a cup. | ||
| saucy (adjective) | 1 rude. 2 stylish or smart. | ||
| sauerkraut (noun) | chopped cabbage soaked in its own juice and salt. | ||
| sauna (noun) | a bath of dry, hot air produced by dropping small amounts of water onto very hot stones, usually followed by a plunge into icy cold water. | ||
| saunter | Collective noun for cowboys (A saunter of cowboys) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| saunter (verb) | to walk slowly, to stroll. Also n. | ||
| sausage (noun) | a roll of minced meat and seasonings in a thin skin. | ||
| sauté (adjective) | to fry quickly in a pan with a small amount of oil. | ||
| savage (adjective) | 1 wild, untamed, or uncivilized (savage animals). 2 fierce, cruel (savage blows). n a very cruel person. | ||
| savagery (noun) | 1 cruelty. 2 the state of being wild or uncivilized. | ||
| savanna(h) (noun) | a grassy, treeless plain. | ||
| save (verb) | 1 to rescue from danger or harm. 2 to keep for future use (save gift bows). 3 to keep money instead of spending it (save for your old age). (preposition) except. | ||
| savings (noun, plural) | money put aside for future use. | ||
| savior (noun), | also saviour (British spelling) a person who saves from danger or harm. | ||
| savor (noun), | also savour (British spelling) taste, flavor. vb 1 to taste. 2 to have a taste of, to suggest the idea of (savor of disloyalty). | ||
| savory (adjective) also savoury (British spelling) | 1 tasty, arousing appetite (there were some delicious savory smells coming from the kitchen). 2 salty, meaty, or sharp, rather than sweet (savory pastries). n an appetizing dish served at the beginning or end of dinner. | ||
| savoy (noun) | a type of cabbage with crinkled leaves. | ||
| savvy (noun) | shrewdness, understanding, know-how. Also adj (she is a very savvy lady). | ||
| saw1 (noun) | a tool with a toothed edge used for cutting wood, etc. vb to cut with a saw. | ||
| saw2 (noun) | a wise old saying. | ||
| saw3 (past tense) | of see. | ||
| sawdust (noun) | small fragments of wood made by sawing (he used sawdust instead of straw as bedding for his horse). | ||
| sawfish (noun) | a large, tropical, shark-like ray, its head prolonged into a flat, saw-like snout edged with large teeth on either side. | ||
| sawmill (noun) | a mill with a mechanical saw for cutting wood. | ||
| sax (noun) | short for saxophone. | ||
| saxophone (noun) | a brass wind instrument with a single reed and keys. | ||
| say (verb) | (pt said ) 1 to utter in words, to speak. 2 to state (say what you mean). n the right to give an opinion (you can have your say in a minute). | ||
| saying (noun) | a proverb, something commonly said. | ||
| scab (noun) | a crust that forms over a healing sore. adj scabby | ||
| scabbard (noun) | the case of a sword. | ||
| scabies (noun) | an itchy skin disease. | ||
| Scabiophobia | fear of scabies (see list of phobias) | ||
| scaffold (noun) | a wooden or metal framework with platforms on which workmen stand during the erecting, repairing, or painting of a building, etc. | ||
| scaffolding (noun) | the building materials used to build a scaffold (they use bamboo scaffolding) | ||
| scald (verb) | to burn with hot liquid or steam. n a burn caused by hot liquid or steam. | ||
| scale | Collective noun for ichthyologists (A scale of ichthyologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| scale1 (noun) | one of the thin flakes or flat plates on the skin of fish, reptiles, etc. vb to remove the scales from (scale fish). adj scaly covered with scales, like a fish. | ||
| scale2 (noun) | a balance or weighing machine. | ||
| scale3 (noun) | 1 a series of successive musical notes between one note and its octave. 2 the size of a map compared with the amount of area it represents (a scale of ten miles to the inch). 3 a measure (the scale on a thermometer). 4 a system of units for measuring (the decimal scale). 5 a system of grading (the social scale). 6 size, extent (entertain on a large scale). vb to climb (scale the wall). | ||
| scalene (adjective) | (of a triangle) having unequal sides and angles. | ||
| scallion (noun) | any of various onions or onion-like plants, such as the shallot, green onion, or leek. | ||
| scallop (noun) | 1 an edible shellfish, the shell of which has an uneven and toothed edge. 2 a series of even curves. vb to cut in scallops. adj scalloped with an edge shaped like that of the scallop shell. | ||
| scallywag (noun), | also scalawag a rascal. | ||
| scalp (noun) | the skin and hairs on top of the head. vb to cut off the scalp. | ||
| scalpel (noun) | a light, very sharp knife used by a surgeon. | ||
| scam | Collective noun for con artists (A scam of con artists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| scam (noun) | a swindle, cheat, or fraud. Also vb. | ||
| scamp (noun) | a rascal. | ||
| scamper (verb) | to run quickly or hurriedly, as if afraid. n a quick or hurried run. | ||
| scampi (noun) | a large shrimp broiled or fried with its tail on and served hot. | ||
| scan | Collective noun for radiologists (A scan of radiologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| scan (verb) | (scanned , scanning ) 1 to look at closely or carefully (scan the area for survivors). 2 to obtain an image of an internal part (of the body) by using X-rays, ultrasonic waves, etc. n a medical examination in which part of the body is scanned (a brain scan). | ||
| scandal | Collective noun for shoes (A scandal of shoes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| scandal (noun) | 1 widespread talk about someone’s wrongdoings, real or supposed (listen to scandal). 2 a disgrace (their failure to act is a scandal). 3 disgraceful behavior that gives rise to widespread talk (a series of political scandals). | ||
| scandalize (verb), | also scandalise (British spelling) to shock. | ||
| scandalous (adjective) | disgraceful. | ||
| scanner (noun) | a person or thing that scans. | ||
| scant (adjective) | barely enough, very little (pay scant attention). | ||
| scanty (adjective) | barely enough, very little (a scanty meal). | ||
| scapegoat (noun) | a person who is given the blame for wrong done by others. | ||
| scar1 (noun) | the mark left by a healed wound. vb (scarred , scarring ) to leave or cause a scar. | ||
| scar2 (noun) | a cliff. | ||
| scarab (noun) | a beetle held as sacred in ancient Egypt. | ||
| scarce (adjective) | 1 few and hard to find (such birds are scarce now). 2 not enough (food is scarce). | ||
| scarcely (adverb) | hardly; surely not. | ||
| scarcity (noun) | shortage, lack of what is necessary. | ||
| scare (verb) | to frighten. n a fright, panic. | ||
| scarecrow (noun) | 1 anything (e.g. a dummy man) set up to frighten away birds. 2 someone dressed in rags. | ||
| scaremonger (noun) | a person who purposely scares people. | ||
| scarf (noun) | (pl scarfs or scarves ) a strip of material worn around the neck and over the shoulders. | ||
| scarify (verb) | to make many scratches or small cuts in the skin, as for surgery. | ||
| scarlet (noun) | a bright red color. Also adj. | ||
| scarlet fever (noun) | a very infectious disease causing a red rash on the skin, sore throat, and fever. | ||
| scarp (noun) | a steep slope. | ||
| scary (adjective) | causing alarm, frightening. | ||
| scathe (verb) | to injure. | ||
| scathing (adjective) | hurtful, bitter, harsh. | ||
| Scatology | study of excrement or obscene literature (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Scatophobia | fear of fecal matter (see list of phobias) | ||
| scatter (verb) | 1 to throw about on all sides (scatter confetti). 2 to go away or drive in different directions (crowds scattering). | ||
| scatterbrain (noun) | a foolish person, a person not capable of serious thinking. adj scatterbrained | ||
| scavenger (noun) | an animal or person that searches for or lives on discarded or decaying material. vb scavenge | ||
| scavenger hunt (noun) | a party game in which people are sent out to find miscellaneous items without buying them. | ||
| Scelerophibia | fear of burglars (see list of phobias) | ||
| scenario (noun) | 1 an outline of the main incidents in a play or film. 2 an outline for any planned series of events. | ||
| scene (noun) | 1 the place where something happens (the scene of the crime). 2 what a person can see from a certain viewpoint. 3 a distinct part of a play. 4 a painted background set up on the stage to represent the place of the action. 5 a quarrel or open show of strong feeling in a public place. behind the scenes in private. | ||
| scenery (noun) | 1 the painted backgrounds set up during a play to represent the places of the action. 2 the general appearance of a countryside (an area of beautiful scenery). | ||
| scenic (adjective) | 1 having to do with scenery. 2 picturesque. | ||
| scent (noun) | 1 a smell, especially a pleasant one. 2 the smell of an animal left on its tracks. 3 the sense of smell. vb 1 to smell. 2 to find by smelling. 3 to make something smell pleasant. | ||
| scepter (noun), | also sceptre (British spelling) the staff held by a ruler as a sign of authority. | ||
| schedule | Collective noun for activities (A schedule of activities) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| schedule (noun) | a list of details; a time-table (production schedules). vb to plan. | ||
| scheme | Collective noun for swindlers (A scheme of swindlers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| scheme (noun) | 1 a plan of what is to be done (a work scheme). 2 a plot (a scheme to kill the president). vb 1 to plan. 2 to plot. n schemer adj scheming given to planning schemes. | ||
| schism (noun) | a split or division between strongly opposed sections or parties, caused by differences in opinion or belief. | ||
| scholar (noun) | 1 a learned person. 2 a school pupil. | ||
| scholarly (adjective) | learned. | ||
| scholarship (noun) | 1 learning. 2 wide knowledge. 3 a grant of money given to students to help pay for their education. | ||
| scholastic (adjective) | having to do with schools or scholars. | ||
| school | Collective noun for butterfly fish (A school of butterfly fish) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| school | Collective noun for clerks (A school of clerks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| school | Collective noun for fish (A school of fish) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| school | Collective noun for porpoises (A school of porpoises) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| school | Collective noun for sharks (A school of sharks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| school | Collective noun for whales (A school of whales) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| school1 (noun) | 1 a place where instruction is given, where people learn. 2 a group of writers, thinkers, painters, etc, having the same or similar methods, principles, aims, etc. vb to train (to school horses). | ||
| school2 (noun) | a large number of fish of the same kind swimming together. | ||
| schoolbook (noun) | a book used for study in schools. | ||
| schooling (noun) | training or education. | ||
| schoolroom (noun) | a room in which students are taught. | ||
| schoolteacher (noun) | a person whose job it is to teach in a school. | ||
| schoolwork (noun) | lessons worked on in classes as school or done as homework. | ||
| schooner (noun) | 1 a large sailing ship with two masts. 2 a kind of large glass (a schooner of water). | ||
| Sciaphobia | fear of shadows (see list of phobias) | ||
| sciatic (adjective) | having to do with the hip or sciatic nerve that goes down the back of the thigh. | ||
| sciatica (noun) | pain in the hip or thigh, caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. | ||
| science (noun) | 1 all that is known about a subject, arranged in a systematic manner (the science of geography). 2 the study of the laws and principles of nature (biology, physics and other branches of science). 3 trained skill (games requiring science rather than speed). | ||
| science fiction (noun) | fiction that deals with imaginary scientific developments or imaginary life on other planets (often abbreviated to sci-fi). | ||
| scientific (adjective) | 1 having to do with science. 2 done in a systematic manner. | ||
| scientist (noun) | a person learned in one of the sciences. | ||
| sci-fi | acronym for science fiction. | ||
| Sciophobia | fear of shadows (see list of phobias) | ||
| scissor (verb) | to cut with scissors. | ||
| scissors (noun) | a cutting tool consisting of two blades moving on a central pin. | ||
| scoff (verb) | to mock (at). n mocking words, a jeer. | ||
| scold (verb) | to find fault with angrily. | ||
| scolding | Collective noun for seamstresses (A scolding of seamstresses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| Scoleciphobia | fear of worms (see list of phobias) | ||
| Scolionophobia | fear of school (see list of phobias) | ||
| scone (noun) | a small, round, doughy cake served with butter. | ||
| scoop | Collective noun for journalists (A scoop of journalists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| scoop | Collective noun for reporters (A scoop of reporters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| scoop (verb) | 1 to gather and lift up, as with the hands (scoop up sand in your hands). 2 to hollow with a knife, etc (to scoop a hollow in the melon half). n 1 a deep shovel for lifting grain, earth from a hole, etc. 2 a piece of important news known only to one newspaper. | ||
| scoot (verb) | to go or move quickly. | ||
| scooter (noun) | a child’s toy for riding on with a footboard, wheels at either end, and a raised handlebar for steering, moved by pushing off the ground with one foot. | ||
| scope (noun) | 1 the range of matters being dealt with (the scope of the book). 2 opportunity (scope for improvement). | ||
| Scopophobia | fear of being seen or stared at (see list of phobias) | ||
| scorch (verb) | 1 to burn the outside of. 2 to singe or blacken by burning (scorched the shirt with the iron). | ||
| scorcher (noun) | 1 anything that scorches. 2 a very hot day. | ||
| score | Collective noun for bachelors (A score of bachelors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| score | Collective noun for years (A score of years) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| score (noun) | 1 a set of twenty. 2 a mark or line cut on the surface of. 3 a note of what is to be paid. 4 in games, the runs, goals, points, etc, made by those taking part. 5 a piece of music written down to show the parts played by different instruments. vb 1 to make marks or scratches on the surface of. 2 to gain an advantage. 3 to keep the score of a game. 4 to arrange music in a score. score off to strike out. score off to get the better off. n scorer | ||
| scoreboard (noun) | a large board for posting the score and other details of a game. | ||
| scorekeeper (noun) | a person who keeps score at a game or contest. | ||
| scorn (verb) | 1 to feel dislike for. 2 to refuse to have anything to do with (the woman scorned his friendly advances). n dislike, complete lack of respect for. | ||
| scornful (adjective) | mocking, full of dislike. | ||
| scorpion (noun) | a small creature related to the spider with eight legs and a lobster-like tail containing a poisonous sting, found in warm regions. | ||
| Scotomaphobia | fear of blindness in visual field. (see list of phobias) | ||
| Scotophobia | fear of darkness (see list of phobias) | ||
| scoundrel (noun) | a thoroughly wicked person, a rascal. | ||
| scour1 (verb) | to clean or brighten by rubbing. | ||
| scour2 (verb) | to go back and forward over, searching carefully (scour the fields for clues). | ||
| scourge | Collective noun for mosquitoes (A scourge of mosquitoes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| scourge (noun) | 1 a whip. 2 a cause of great trouble or suffering. vb 1 to whip. 2 to make suffer greatly. | ||
| scourings (noun) | dirt or remains removed by scouring. | ||
| scout (noun) | 1 a person sent in front to see what lies ahead and bring back news. 2 a person employed to find new talent. vb 1 to go out as a scout. 2 to search or explore (to scout around for an open shop). | ||
| Scout (noun) | a member of the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, youth organizations that stress ability and skill in a wide range of activities. | ||
| scowl (verb) | to lower the brows and wrinkle the forehead in anger or disapproval. Also n. | ||
| scrabble (verb) | 1 to scratch, scrape, or paw as though looking for something. 2 to struggle. 3 to scribble, to make meaningless marks. | ||
| scrabbly (adjective) | 1 having a scratching sound. 2 scrubby, poor, etc. | ||
| scrag (noun) | 1 a lean, scrawny person or animal. 2 a thin, stunted tree or plant. 3 the neck or back of the neck of certain kinds of meat. | ||
| scraggly (adjective) | sparse, irregular, uneven, ragged, etc, in growth and form. | ||
| scraggy (adjective) | thin and bony. | ||
| scram (verb) | to leave or get out, especially in a hurry. | ||
| scramble (verb) | 1 to climb using both hands and feet. 2 to move awkwardly or with difficulty. 3 to struggle to obtain (scramble for a seat in the bus) 4 to throw together randomly, to collect without any method. n a pushing and struggling for something. | ||
| scrap (noun) | 1 a small piece (scraps of cloth). 2 a picture, often cut to shape, for pasting in a book. 3 pl what is left over (dogs feeding on scraps). vb (scrapped , scrapping ) to throw away as no longer useful (scrap the plans). | ||
| scrap heap (noun) | a place for discarded or waste material; a garbage heap. | ||
| scrapbook (noun) | a book for keeping scraps, cuttings from newspapers, pictures, etc. | ||
| scrape (verb) | 1 to clean by rubbing with an edged instrument. 2 to make a harsh, unpleasant sound by rubbing along. 3 to save or gather with difficulty (scrape together the food). 4 to scratch by rubbing, as if by a fall (she fell down the steps and scraped her knees). n 1 a scratch. 2 something caused by scraping or its sound. 3 (informal) a small fight. 4 (informal) a difficult situation. | ||
| scraping (noun) | the act of a person or thing that scrapes, the sound of this. | ||
| scrappy (adjective) | 1 made up of bits and pieces. 2 fond of fighting. | ||
| scratch (verb) | 1 to mark or wound the surface with something pointed. 2 to rub with the fingernails to stop itching. 3 to tear with the fingernails or claws. 4 to rub out or cross off (scratch his name from the list). 5 to withdraw from a competition or contest. n a slight mark or wound, especially one made by scratching. adj 1 without a plus or minus handicap (scratch golfer). 2 put together hastily (scratch meal). up to scratch as good as usual. | ||
| scratchy (adjective) | that scratches, scrapes, itches, etc (scratchy throat with a cold/scratchy sweater). | ||
| scrawl (verb) | to write untidily or carelessly. n untidy or careless handwriting. | ||
| scrawny (adjective) | very thin, skinny, bony, small, etc. | ||
| scream | Collective noun for newsboys (A scream of newsboys) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| scream (verb) | to shout in a loud, high-pitched voice, to shriek. Also n. | ||
| screamer (noun) | a person who screams. | ||
| scree (noun) | loose stones, etc, on a slope or at the foot of a cliff. | ||
| screech (verb) | to utter a loud, high-pitched cry. Also n. | ||
| screed (noun) | a long and uninteresting written statement. | ||
| screen (noun) | 1 a movable piece of furniture, similar to a section of fence, that can be used to block a draft, to conceal part of a room, etc. 2 a surface on which movies are shown. 3 a frame covered with mesh of wire or plastic and fixed into windows or doors so that when they are open no insects can get in. 4 the front glass surface of a television, computer, etc, on which pictures or items of information are shown. 5 a sieve for separating smaller pieces of coal, stones, etc, from larger. vb 1 to protect (trees screening the garden from the public view). 2 to hide (screen his son from the police). 3 to put through a test (screen all applicants for jobs in the office). 4 to carry out medical tests on a large number of people to check whether they have a particular disease or not (screen women over 50 for breast cancer). 5 to show on film or television. | ||
| screenplay (noun) | the script from which a film is produced. | ||
| screensaver (noun) | a program that prolongs the life of a computer monitor. | ||
| screenwriter (noun) | the writer of a script for a film. | ||
| screw (noun) | 1 a type of nail with a spiral thread so that it can be twisted into wood, etc, instead of hammered. 2 a twist or turn. vb 1 to fasten by means of a screw. 2 to twist. | ||
| screwdriver (noun) | a tool that can fit into the slot on the head of a screw and turn it into wood, plaster, etc. | ||
| scribble (verb) | to write carelessly or hurriedly. n something written quickly or carelessly. n scribbler a person who writes carelessly. | ||
| scribe (noun) | 1 a person whose job it was to copy books, pamphlets, poems, etc, by hand before the invention of the printing machine. 2 a writer or author. | ||
| scrim (noun) | a light, sheer, loosely woven cloth used for curtains, linings, etc. | ||
| scrimmage (noun) | 1 a confused fight or struggle. 2 a practice session or game between two different teams or two units of the same team. | ||
| scrimp (verb) | to give or use too little of (scrimp on food). | ||
| Scripophily | collection of bond and share certificates (see list of hobbies) | ||
| script (noun) | 1 handwriting. 2 a printing type like handwriting. 3 a written outline of the actions, speaking, etc, in a film. 4 the text of a show, film, or play. | ||
| Scriptophobia | fear of writing in public (see list of phobias) | ||
| scripture(s) (noun) | 1 anything written. 2 a holy book or set of writings, such as the Bible, the Koran, etc. adj scriptural | ||
| scrounge (verb) | to try to get something for free (the dog was scrounging around for food). | ||
| scrub1 (verb) | (scrubbed , scrubbing ) 1 to clean by rubbing hard, especially with a stiff brush (she spent all morning scrubbing the floors). 2 (informal) to cancel, to remove. n scrubber any person or thing that scrubs. | ||
| scrub2 (noun) | small stunted bushes or trees, brushwood. adj scrubby | ||
| scrubland (noun) | land or a region that has much scrub plant life. | ||
| scrubs (noun) | specially cleaned clothing worn by doctors, nurses, etc when they perform surgery, etc. | ||
| scruff (noun) | the back of the neck. | ||
| scruffy (adjective) | shabby, untidy. | ||
| scrumptious (adjective) | very pleasing, attractive, etc, especially to the taste; delicious. | ||
| scrutinize (verb), | also scrutinise (British spelling) to look at closely or carefully. n scrutinizer , also scrutiniser (British spelling) | ||
| scrutiny (noun) | a close or careful look. | ||
| scuba (noun) | an acronym for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, which is worn by divers for breathing underwater, usually consisting of air tanks strapped to the back and connected by a hose to a mouthpiece. | ||
| scud (verb) | (scudded , scudding ) 1 to move quickly. 2 (of a ship) to sail quickly before a following wind. | ||
| scuff (verb) | 1 to scrape with the feet. 2 to wear a rough place or places on the surface of. | ||
| scuffle (noun) | a confused or disorderly struggle. | ||
| scull (noun) | one of a pair of short oars. vb 1 to row with sculls. 2 to move a boat by rowing with one oar at the front. | ||
| sculpt (verb) | to carve or model a figure, design, image, etc. | ||
| sculptor (noun) | a person skilled in sculpture. | ||
| sculpture (noun) | 1 the art of carving or modeling in wood, stone, clay etc. 2 a work of sculpture. | ||
| scum (noun) | 1 dirt and froth that gathers on the surface of liquid. 2 wicked or worthless people (the scum who mugged the old man). adj scummy | ||
| scurf (noun) | small dry flakes of skin. | ||
| scurrilous (adjective) | 1 using bad or indecent language. 2 very insulting. | ||
| scurry | Collective noun for squirrels (A scurry of squirrels) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| scurry (verb) | to run hurriedly. Also n. | ||
| scurvy (noun) | a disease caused by lack of fresh fruit or vegetables. adj mean, nasty. | ||
| scuttle | Collective noun for crabs (A scuttle of crabs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| scuttle1 (noun) | a box or pail for keeping coal at the fireside. | ||
| scuttle2 (noun) | a hole with a lid in the deck or side of a ship. vb to sink (a ship) by making a hole in it. | ||
| scuttle3 (verb) | to run away hurriedly. | ||
| scythe (noun) | a tool consisting of a long, curving, very sharp blade set at an angle to a long handle, used for cutting grass, etc. vb to cut with a scythe. | ||
| sea | Collective noun for troubles (A sea of troubles) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sea (noun) | 1 the salt water that covers much of the earth’s surface. 2 a large extent of this. 3 the ocean or part of it. 4 the swell of the sea. 5 a large amount or extent of anything (a sea of papers on her desk). at sea 1 on the sea. 2 in a state of confusion. | ||
| sea horse (noun) | a kind of small, tropical, bony fish whose head and nose look like those of a horse. | ||
| sea level (noun) | the level of the sea’s surface at half-tide. | ||
| sea lion (noun) | a large seal. | ||
| sea urchin (noun) | a sea creature living in a round prickly shell. | ||
| seabed (noun) | the ocean floor, especially the areas with rich mineral or oil deposits. | ||
| seabird (noun) | a bird living on or near the sea. | ||
| seaboard (noun) | land or coastal region near the sea. | ||
| seafood (noun) | food prepared from or consisting of saltwater fish or shellfish. | ||
| seagull (noun) | a kind of bird that lives along the seacoast. | ||
| seal1 (noun) | 1 wax with a design, etc, stamped on it, used to fasten shut envelopes, boxes, etc. 2 a stamp with a design, initials, etc, engraved on it. 3 a substance or thing that closes, fixes, or prevents leakage (a bottle seal). vb 1 to fasten with a seal. 2 to close firmly. 3 to make airtight (seal jars of preserved fruit). 4 to confirm (seal the agreement). | ||
| seal2 (noun) | a sea animal that is aquatic but comes ashore to breed. | ||
| sealant (noun) | any substance used for sealing, such as wax, plastic, etc. | ||
| sealskin (noun) | 1 the skin or pelt of the fur seal, especially with the outer fur removed exposing the soft underfur. 2 an article of clothing made from this. | ||
| seam (noun) | the line made by two pieces of something joined together, such as the stitching joining two pieces of cloth. | ||
| seamless (adjective) | made without a seam. | ||
| seamstress (noun) | a woman who makes her living by sewing. | ||
| séance (noun) | a meeting of people who believe they can call up the spirits of the dead. | ||
| seaplane (noun) | an airplane with floats enabling it to take off from or land on water. | ||
| seaport (noun) | a town with a harbor. | ||
| sear (verb) | 1 to burn with sudden powerful heat. 2 to wither (grass seared by the sun). adj dry, withered. | ||
| search (verb) | to look for, to explore, to try to find. n act of looking for. n searcher | ||
| search engine (noun) | computer software designed to locate items on a given topic. | ||
| searching (adjective) | thorough, testing thoroughly. | ||
| searchlight (noun) | a powerful electric lamp able to throw a beam of light on distant objects. | ||
| seasick (adjective) | sick because of the rocking of a ship at sea. | ||
| seaside (noun) | the land near or beside the sea. | ||
| season ticket | a ticket that can be used many times over a stated period | ||
| season1 (noun) | 1 one of the four divisions of the year (e.g. winter, summer). 2 a time of the year noted for a particular activity (the football season). | ||
| season2 (verb) | 1 to make (wood) hard and fit for use by drying gradually. 2 to add something to food to give it a good taste. | ||
| seasonable (adjective) | 1 happening at the right time (seasonable advice). 2 suitable to the season of the year (seasonable weather). | ||
| seasonal (adjective) | having to do with one or all of the seasons (seasonal variations in the weather). | ||
| seasoning (noun) | anything added to food to bring out or improve its taste. | ||
| seat | Collective noun for ushers (A seat of ushers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| seat (noun) | 1 anything on which a person sits. 2 a piece of furniture for sitting on. 3 the right to site as a member. vb 1 to place on a seat. 2 to have or provide seats for (a hall seating 500). | ||
| seat belt (noun) | a belt worn across the lap and sometimes chest to keep a person in place while driving, flying, riding, etc. | ||
| seaweed (noun) | sea plants. | ||
| secede (verb) | to break away from (seceding from the union). | ||
| secession (noun) | act of seceding. n secessionist a person who favors or takes part in a secession. | ||
| seclude (verb) | to keep away from others, to make private or hidden. | ||
| secluded (adjective) | 1 out of the way (a secluded part of the garden). 2 private, quiet (a secluded life). | ||
| seclusion (noun) | quietness and privacy. | ||
| seclusive (adjective) | fond of or seeking seclusion. | ||
| second hand (noun) | the hand on a clock or watch that times the seconds. | ||
| second nature (noun) | habits fixed so deeply that they seem part of a person’s nature. | ||
| second sight (noun) | the ability to see things happening elsewhere or to foresee the future. | ||
| second wind (noun) | the ability to breathe smoothly again after having been out of breath. | ||
| second1 (adjective) | 2nd, coming immediately after first. n 1 a person who comes after the first. 2 a person who supports and assists another in a fight or duel. 3 npl goods that because of some flaw are sold more cheaply. vb 1 to support (second a proposal). 2 to assist (second him in the duel). | ||
| second2 (noun) | 1/60 of a minute. | ||
| second3 (verb) | to transfer someone temporarily from normal duties to other duties (second him to the advertising department for a month). | ||
| secondary (adjective) | 1 of less importance (secondary considerations). 2 coming after that which is first in a series of events, states, etc. | ||
| second-guess (verb) | 1 to criticize or correct after an outcome is known. 2 to predict or anticipate. | ||
| secondhand (adjective) | not new, having been used by another. | ||
| second-rate (adjective) | not of high quality. | ||
| secrecy (noun) | 1 the habit of keeping information to oneself. 2 concealment (the secrecy surrounding the meeting). | ||
| secret (adjective) | 1 hidden from others. 2 known or told to few (a secret meeting). 3 private. n 1 a piece of information kept from others. 2 privacy. 3 a hidden reason or cause (the secret of their success). | ||
| secretarial (adjective) | having to do with the work of a secretary. | ||
| secretary (noun) | 1 a person whose job it is to deal with letters and help to carry out the day-to-day business of his or her employer. 2 a high government official or minister (the Foreign Secretary). | ||
| secrete (verb) | 1 to hide away (secreting the documents in a locked box). 2 to produce a substance or fluid within the body by means of glands or other organs. | ||
| secretion (noun) | 1 the act of secreting. 2 the substance or fluid secreted (e.g. saliva). | ||
| secretive (adjective) | 1 keeping information to oneself. 2 fond of concealing things. | ||
| sect (noun) | a body of persons holding the same beliefs, especially in religion. | ||
| sectarian (adjective) | 1 having to do with a sect or sects. 2 concerned with or relating to the interests of a person’s own group, etc. | ||
| section (noun) | 1 a distinct part. 2 a part cut off (a section of apple). adj sectional | ||
| sector (noun) | 1 a section of a circle. 2 one of the parts into which an area is divided (the Italian sector of the city). 3 part of a field of activity (the private sector of industry). adj sectorial. | ||
| secular (adjective) | 1 having to do with this world, not with a faith or religion; not sacred. 2 having to do with lay, not church, affairs. n secularity the state or quality of being secular. vb secularize , also secularise (British spelling) to change from religious to civil ownership or use. n secularism | ||
| secure (adjective) | 1 free from care or danger (a secure home life). 2 safe (a secure place for the jewels). vb 1 to make safe. 2 to fasten securely. 3 to seize and hold firmly. | ||
| security (noun) | 1 safety. 2 precautions taken to protect someone or something from attack, crime, danger, etc. (increased security measures at airports). 3 something given as proof of a person’s willingness or ability to repay a loan. 4 pl documents stating that a person has lent a sum of money to a business, etc, and is entitled to receive interest on it. | ||
| sedan (noun) | a car with either two or four doors, a full-sized rear seat, and a hard top. | ||
| sedate (adjective) | calm, quiet, and relaxed (a sedate conversation). vb to make calm or sleepy. | ||
| sedation (noun) | the act or process of reducing excitement or nervousness. | ||
| sedative (adjective) | having a calming effect. n a sedative drug. | ||
| sedentary (adjective) | inactive, requiring much sitting. | ||
| sedge | Collective noun for bitterns (A sedge of bitterns) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sediment (noun) | the particles of matter that sink to the bottom of liquid. adj sedimentary of, having the nature of, or containing sediment. | ||
| Sedimentology | study of sediment (see list of branches of science) | ||
| sedition (noun) | words or actions intended to stir up rebellion against the government. adj seditious | ||
| seduce (verb) | 1 to persuade someone to do what is wrong or immoral. 2 to persuade to have sexual intercourse. n seducer | ||
| seduction (noun) | the act of seducing. | ||
| seductive (adjective) | 1 tempting, attracting to do wrong. 2 sexually attractive. | ||
| see1 (verb) | (pt saw , pp seen ) 1 to look at with the eye. 2 to notice. 3 to understand. 4 to visit or interview. see about to attend to. see off 1 to go so far with a person who is leaving. 2 (informal) to get rid of. see through 1 to keep on with to the end. 2 to understand thoroughly (someone’s character, etc). seeing that since, because. | ||
| see2 (noun) | the district over which a bishop has control. | ||
| seed (noun) | 1 the grain or germ from which, when placed in the ground, a new plant grows. 2 children, descendants. vb to produce seed, to plant seeds. go to seed, run to seed 1 (of a plant) to shoot up too quickly. 2 to grow careless and lazy. 3 to become weak. | ||
| seedbed (noun) | a bed of soil, usually covered with glass, in which seedlings are grown. | ||
| seedling (noun) | a young plant grown from a seed. | ||
| seedy (adjective) | 1 shabby (a seedy part of the town). 2 unwell. 3 containing many seeds. | ||
| seeing (noun) | the sense or power of sight, the act of using the eyes to see. | ||
| seeing eye dog (noun) | a dog trained to guide a blind person, a guide dog. | ||
| seek (verb) | (pt, pp sought ) 1 to look for. 2 to try to get, to ask. | ||
| seem (verb) | to appear to be, look as if. | ||
| seeming (adjective) | having the appearance of, apparent. | ||
| seemly (adjective) | proper, fitting, decent (seemly behavior). | ||
| seep (verb) | to leak, drip, or flow slowly out through small openings. n seepage the act or process of seeping, the liquid that seeps. | ||
| seer (noun) | a person who foresees the future, a prophet. | ||
| seersucker (noun) | a crinkled fabric of linen, cotton, etc, usually with a striped pattern. | ||
| seesaw (noun) | 1 a plank that is balanced in the middle and on which children sit at either end so that when one end goes up the other end goes down. 2 the act of moving up and down or back and forth. adj moving up and down like a seesaw. vb 1 to play on a seesaw. 2 to move up and down or back and forth (prices continually seesawing). | ||
| seethe (verb) | 1 to boil. 2 to be full of anger, excitement, etc. | ||
| see-through (adjective) | that can be seen through; more or less transparent. | ||
| segment (noun) | 1 a piece cut off. 2 part of a circle cut off by a straight line. vb to cut into segments. adj segmental | ||
| segmentation (noun) | a dividing or being divided into segments. | ||
| segregate (verb) | to set apart or separate from others (segregate the girls and boys). n segregation | ||
| seismic (adjective) | having to do with earthquakes. | ||
| seismograph (noun) | an instrument showing the force of an earthquake and the direction in which it has occurred. | ||
| Seismology | study of earthquakes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| seismology (noun) | the science of earthquakes. | ||
| seize (verb) | 1 to take by force (seize a hostage). 2 to take firm hold of (seize a branch or an opportunity). | ||
| seizure (noun) | 1 act of taking by force. 2 a sudden attack of illness, especially a stroke or an epileptic fit. | ||
| Selachophobia | fear of sharks (see list of phobias) | ||
| Selaphobia | fear of light flashes (see list of phobias) | ||
| seldom (adverb) | rarely. | ||
| select (verb) | to choose, to pick out. adj specially chosen. n selector the person or thing that selects. | ||
| selection (noun) | 1 act of choosing. 2 what is chosen. | ||
| selective (adjective) | choosing carefully, rejecting what is not wanted. | ||
| Selenodesy | study of the shape and features of the moon (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Selenology | study of the moon (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Selenophobia | fear of the moon (see list of phobias) | ||
| self- | prefix of oneself or itself. | ||
| self (noun) | (pl selves ) a person’s own person or interest. | ||
| self-awareness (noun) | awareness of oneself as an individual. | ||
| self-centered (adjective) | selfish, thinking chiefly of oneself and one’s interests. | ||
| self-confident (adjective) | sure of oneself and one’s powers. | ||
| self-conscious (adjective) | thinking about oneself too much, shy because one thinks others are watching. | ||
| self-contained (adjective) | 1 keeping to oneself, not showing one’s feelings. 2 (of a house) complete in itself and separate from other houses. | ||
| self-control (noun) | the ability to control one’s temper, excitement, etc. | ||
| self-destruct (verb) | to destroy itself automatically. n self-destruction adj self-destructive | ||
| self-employed (adjective) | working for oneself, with direct control over work, services, etc. | ||
| self-esteem (noun) | one’s opinion of oneself, self-respect. | ||
| self-help (noun) | care of or betterment of oneself by one’s own efforts. | ||
| self-important (adjective) | full of one’s own importance, pompous. n self-importance | ||
| selfish (adjective) | thinking only of oneself and one’s own advantage (she is very selfish and always put her own needs before those of everyone else). n selfishness | ||
| selfless (adjective) | concerned about other’s welfare or interests and not one’s own (she is very selfless and always puts the needs of others before her own). n selflessness | ||
| self-respect (noun) | proper care of one’s own character and reputation. | ||
| self-righteous (adjective) | too aware of what one supposes to be one’s own goodness. | ||
| self-sacrificing (adjective) | ready to give up one’s own desires for the good of others. | ||
| self-service (adjective) | (of a shop, restaurant, etc) helping oneself. Also n. | ||
| self-sufficient (adjective) | needing no help from others (a country self-sufficient in food). | ||
| sell (verb) | (pt, pp sold ) to give in exchange for money. | ||
| seller (noun) | a person who sells. | ||
| sellout (noun) | the act of betraying someone or something, a person who betrays someone or something. | ||
| seltzer (noun) | carbonated mineral water. | ||
| selves | plural of self. | ||
| semantic (adjective) | of or regarding meaning, especially meaning in language. | ||
| Semantics | study of meaning (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Semantology | study of meanings of words (see list of branches of science) | ||
| semaphore (noun) | a system of conveying messages using flags. | ||
| Semasiology | study of meaning; semantics (see list of branches of science) | ||
| semblance (noun) | outward appearance (there was a semblance of order in the classroom). | ||
| semester (noun) | a school term of about eighteen weeks. | ||
| semi- | prefix half. | ||
| semicircle (noun) | a half circle. adj semicircular | ||
| semicolon (noun) | a mark of punctuation (;). | ||
| semifinal (adjective) | coming just before the final match, as in a tournament (the tennis player met his great rival in the semifinal match). | ||
| seminar (noun) | a group of students working together under the guidance of a teacher. | ||
| seminary (noun) | a school or college, especially one training people to be priests, ministers, rabbis, etc. | ||
| Semiology | study of signs and signals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Semiotics | study of signs and symbols (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Semite (noun) | 1 a member of any of the peoples who speak a Semitic language, including the Hebrews, Arabs, Assyrians, etc. 2 used loosely, a Jewish person. | ||
| Semitic (adjective) | 1 having to do with Semites. | ||
| senate (noun) | 1 a group of officials elected to make laws. 2 (cap) one of the two houses of the United States Congress. 3 the governing body of certain universities. | ||
| senator (noun) | a member of a senate. adj senatorial | ||
| send (verb) | (pt, pp sent ) 1 to have taken from one place to another (I am sending you a package today). 2 to order to go (send them away). n sender | ||
| senile (adjective) | weak in the mind from old age (she was very concerned that her elderly mother might be senile). n senility | ||
| senior (adjective) | 1 older. 2 higher in rank or importance. n 1 one older (she is her brother’s senior seen-yawr-i-tee/. | ||
| sensation (noun) | 1 the ability to perceive through the senses; feeling (lose sensation in her legs). 2 a feeling that cannot be described (a sensation of being watched). 3 great excitement (murder trials causing a sensation). 4 an event that causes great excitement (the news article was a sensation). | ||
| sensational (adjective) | causing great excitement. vb sensationalize , also sensationalise (British spelling) | ||
| sensationalism (noun) | a liking for exciting news and events. | ||
| sense (noun) | 1 one of the five faculties (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch) by which people and animals gain knowledge of things outside themselves. 2 wisdom in everyday things (have the sense to keep warm). 3 understanding (no sense of direction). 4 meaning (words with several senses). | ||
| senseless (adjective) | 1 foolish, pointless (a senseless act). 2 unconscious (senseless after a blow to the head). | ||
| sensibility (noun) | 1 the ability to feel emotions strongly. 2 delicacy of feeling. | ||
| sensible (adjective) | 1 having or showing good judgment, wise (a sensible decision). 2 aware (sensible of the feelings of others). 3 practical (sensible shoes). | ||
| sensitive (adjective) | 1 quick to feel things (too sensitive for the rough language of others). 2 easily hurt or damaged (sensitive skin). 3 able to feel emotions strongly (a sensitive reading of the poem). n sensitivity | ||
| sensor (noun) | a tooldesigned to detect, measure, or record things such as heat, temperature, pressure, etc. | ||
| sensory (adjective) | having to do with the senses. | ||
| sensual (adjective) | 1 having to do with the pleasures of the body (the sensual pleasure of soaking in a scented bath). 2 fond of the pleasures of the body. n sensuality | ||
| sensuous (adjective) | 1 having to do with the senses. 2 pleasing to the senses (the sensuous pleasure of the music). | ||
| sentence (noun) | 1 a group of words, containing at least a subject and a verb, that is grammatically correct and makes complete sense. 2 a judgment given in a court of law (pass sentence). 3 the punishment given to a wrongdoer by a judge (a sentence of five years). vb to state the punishment given to a wrongdoer. | ||
| sentient (adjective) | having the power of feeling. n sentience ability to feel. | ||
| sentiment (noun) | 1 what a person feels or thinks about something (I share your sentiments). 2 an expression of feeling (a song full of patriotic sentiment). 3 tender or kindly feeling (sentiments printed on birthday cards). | ||
| sentimental (adjective) | 1 showing, causing, etc, excessive tender feeling or emotion (a sentimental love song). 2 concerning the emotions rather than reason (a watch with sentimental value). n sentimentality | ||
| sentinel (noun) | a person or animal that guards a group. | ||
| sentry (noun) | a soldier on guard. | ||
| sentry box (noun) | a shelter for a sentry. | ||
| separate (verb) | 1 to put apart. 2 to go away from. 3 to stop living together (their parents have separated). 4 to go different ways (they separated at the crossroads). 5 to divide into parts. adj unconnected, distinct, apart. adj separable | ||
| separation (noun) | 1 act of separating. 2 an agreement by a married couple to live apart from each other. | ||
| separatism (noun) | the condition of political, religious, or racial separation. n separatist a person who believes in separatism. | ||
| sepia (noun) | a dark, reddish-brown dye or color made from fluid obtained from the cuttlefish. | ||
| Seplophobia | fear of decaying matter (see list of phobias) | ||
| September (noun) | the ninth month of the year. | ||
| septic (adjective) | infected and poisoned by germs. | ||
| septic tank (noun) | an underground tank for waste matter to be stored and broken down. | ||
| septuagenarian (noun) | one who is seventy years old or between seventy and eighty. | ||
| septuplet (noun) | one of seven babies born at a single birth. | ||
| sepulchral (adjective) | 1 having to do with a tomb. 2 (of a voice) deep and gloomy. | ||
| sepulture (noun) | burial. | ||
| sequel (noun) | 1 that which follows, a result or consequence (a sequel to the official inquiry was that standards improved). 2 a novel, film, etc, that continues the story of an earlier one. | ||
| sequence (noun) | a number of things, events, etc, following each other in a natural or correct order. | ||
| sequential (adjective) | of, relating to, or forming a sequence. | ||
| sequin (noun) | a tiny disc of bright metal sewn onto a dress for ornament, usually one of many. adj sequined decorated with sequins. | ||
| sequoia (noun) | a large redwood tree. | ||
| seraph (noun) | (pl seraphs or seraphim ) an angel of the highest rank. | ||
| seraphic (adjective) | angelic, pure. | ||
| serenade (noun) | a musical work played outside at night, especially by a lover under the window of his sweetheart. vb to sing or play a serenade. | ||
| serendipity (noun) | a seeming gift for finding something good accidentally. | ||
| serene (adjective) | calm, undisturbed. | ||
| serenity (noun) | calmness, peace. | ||
| serf (noun) | a slave; a person bound to his or her master’s land and transferred with it to any new owner. | ||
| serge (noun) | a strong woolen cloth. | ||
| sergeant (noun) | a rank in the army and the air force, and in the police. | ||
| serial (noun) | a story published or broadcast in parts or installments. adj 1 happening in a series (the police believed that a serial killer was responsible). 2 in successive parts (a serial story). | ||
| series | Collective noun for exams (A series of exams) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| series | Collective noun for radiologists (A series of radiologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| series (noun) | (pl series ) a number of things arranged in a definite order. | ||
| serious (adjective) | 1 thoughtful (her father was in a serious mood). 2 important (more serious issues). 3 likely to cause danger (it was a serious wound). | ||
| sermon (noun) | 1 a talk given by a priest, minister, or rabbi on a religious subject. 2 a talk containing advice or warning (her mother gave her sermon about drugs). vb sermonize , also sermonise (British spelling) | ||
| Serology | study of serums (see list of branches of science) | ||
| serpent (noun) | a snake. | ||
| serrate , serrated (adjective) | having notches like the edge of a saw (she used a serrated knife). | ||
| serration (noun) | the condition of being serrate. | ||
| serum (noun) | 1 the watery part of the blood. 2 liquid taken from the blood of an animal and injected into a person’s blood to protect against a disease. 3 the thin, watery part of plant fluid. | ||
| servant (noun) | 1 a person who works for and obeys another (politicians regarded as servants of the people). 2 a person employed to do tasks about the house (the house was looked after by a team of servants). | ||
| serve (verb) | 1 to work for and obey. 2 to hand food to at the table (the waiter did a good job when he served their meal). 3 to supply with (food, etc). 4 to be helpful. 5 (in tennis, volleyball, etc) to hit the ball into play. serves you right that is just what you deserve. | ||
| server (noun) | 1 a person who serves. 2 the central computer in a network to which other computers are connected so that software and files can be shared. | ||
| service (noun) | 1 the work of a servant or employee (five years’ service with the company). 2 time spent in the armed forces, police, etc. 3 use, help (people who can be of service to us). 4 a religious ceremony. 5 a set of dishes for use at table (a dinner service). 6 in tennis, the hit intended to put the ball into play. 7 pl the armed forces. | ||
| service station (noun) | a place that sells gasoline, oils, some other car requirements, and often drinks and snacks, and usually provides toilet facilities. | ||
| serviceable (adjective) | useful. | ||
| servile (adjective) | behaving like a slave; too ready to obey. n servility | ||
| servitude (noun) | slavery, the condition of being a slave, serf, etc. | ||
| sesame | Collective noun for locksmiths (A sesame of locksmiths) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sesame (noun) | a plant whose seeds are used in cooking and from which an oil, used in cooking and salads, is obtained. | ||
| Sesquipedalophobia | fear of long words (see list of phobias) | ||
| session (noun) | a meeting of a group or sitting of a court or assembly. | ||
| set | Collective noun for bowls (A set of bowls) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| set | Collective noun for golf clubs (A set of golf clubs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| set | Collective noun for numbers (A set of numbers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| set | Collective noun for tools (A set of tools) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| set | Collective noun for utensils (A set of utensils) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| set (verb) | (set, setting ) 1 to put. 2 to fix in position (set a broken bone). 3 to put to music. 4 to become hard or solid (leave jellies to set). 5 (of the sun, etc) to sink below the horizon. n 1 a number of things of the same kind. 2 a group of people with similar interests. 3 a group of games in a tennis match (she was beaten by two sets to one). adj fixed, regular. set off, set out to begin a journey. set upon to attack (the fox was set upon by a pack of hounds). | ||
| set point (noun) | in a game such as tennis, when the next point scored by a player can decide the winner of the set. | ||
| setback (noun) | something that keeps a person from doing something or from carrying out a plan. | ||
| settee (noun) | a small sofa. | ||
| setting (noun) | 1 surroundings (a house in a woodland setting). 2 background (a story with its setting in colonial times). 3 music written to go with certain words. | ||
| settle (noun) | a bench with arms and a high back. vb 1 to set up home in a certain place (they settled in the country). 2 to come to rest on (a butterfly settling on a flower). 3 to put an end to by giving a decision or judgment (luckily their father was there to settle the argument). 4 to make or become quiet or calm (the baby was slow to settle). 5 (of a bill, etc) to pay (he settled the bill straightaway). 6 to sink to the bottom of (coffee grinds settling at the bottom of the cup). | ||
| settlement (noun) | 1 a decision or judgment that ends an argument. 2 money or property given to someone under certain conditions (she received a large amount of money under the settlement). 3 payment of a bill. 4 a colony. | ||
| settler (noun) | someone who makes his or her home in a new colony or land that has not previously been occupied. | ||
| set-to (noun) | a fight. | ||
| setup (noun) | 1 how something is set up. 2 a contest or plan that is arranged to go a certain way. | ||
| seven (noun) | the number 7, coming between six and eight. | ||
| sevenfold (adjective) | 1 having seven parts. 2 having seven times as much or as many. | ||
| seventeen (noun) | the number 17, coming between sixteen and eighteen. | ||
| seventeenth (adjective) | 17th, coming after sixteen others. n one of seventeen equal parts. | ||
| seventh (adjective) | 7th, coming after six others. n one of seven equal parts. | ||
| seventy (noun) | the number 70, coming between sixty-nine and seventy-one. adj seventieth 70th. | ||
| sever (verb) | 1 to cut or tear apart or off (sever his arm from his shoulder). 2 to break (sever relations with other countries). n severance | ||
| several (adjective) | 1 more than two, but not very many (he gave several reasons for turning down the job). 2 separate, various (they went their several ways). | ||
| severe (adjective) | 1 strict, harsh (a severe punishment). 2 plain and undecorated (a severe dress). 3 very cold (a severe winter). n severity | ||
| sew (verb) | (pt sewed , pp sewn ) to join by means of needle and thread. n sewer a person or thing that sews. | ||
| sewage (noun) | waste matter of a house or town. | ||
| sewer (noun) | an underground drain to carry away water, sewage, etc (the sewers were overwhelmed by the floodwater). | ||
| sewerage (noun) | a system of underground drains or sewers. | ||
| sex (noun) | 1 the state of being male or female. 2 the qualities by which an animal or plant is seen to be male or female. 3 sexual intercourse. | ||
| sexagenarian (noun) | someone who is sixty years old or between sixty and seventy. | ||
| sexism (noun) | the treatment of someone in a different and often unfair way on the grounds of that person’s sex, especially the oppression of women by men. adj, n sexist | ||
| Sexology | study of sexual behaviour (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Sexophobia | fear of sexual organs or sexual activities (see list of phobias) | ||
| sextet (noun) | 1 a piece of music written for six performers. 2 a group of six singers or players. 3 a set or group of six. | ||
| sextuplet (noun) | one of six babies born at a single birth. | ||
| sexual (adjective) | having to do with sex. | ||
| sexuality (noun) | the state or quality of being sexual. | ||
| sexy (adjective) | exciting or intended to excite sexual desire. n sexiness (noun) a sexy state or quality. | ||
| sh (interjection) | used to urge or request silence. | ||
| shabby (adjective) | 1 untidy through much wear, threadbare, dressed in threadbare or untidy clothes. 2 mean, ungenerous (a shabby trick). n shabbiness | ||
| shack (noun) | a hut, small house, cabin. | ||
| shackle (verb) | 1 to fasten with a chain (prisoners with hands shackled together). 2 to limit freedom of action or speech (shackled by old-fashioned rules). npl chains for fastening the limbs. | ||
| shade (verb) | 1 to protect from light or sun (shade your eyes). 2 to darken. 3 to color (shade wooded parts on the map). n 1 any device that protects from light or sun. 2 a place in a shadow cast by the sun, half-darkness (tables in the shade). 3 a slight difference (many shades of opinion). 4 a little (a shade warmer). | ||
| shadiness (noun) | a shady state or quality. | ||
| shading (noun) | the effects used to suggest darkness in a picture. | ||
| shadow (noun) | 1 a dark patch on the ground caused by the breaking of rays of light by a body (in the shadow of the large building). 2 shade. 3 someone who follows another around. 4 a ghost. vb to follow someone closely without his or her knowing it. | ||
| shadowy (adjective) | 1 in shadow, shaded, dark (shadowy parts of the garden). 2 dark and unclear (shadowy figures in the mist). | ||
| shady (adjective) | 1 protected from light or sun. 2 dishonest, untrustworthy. adv shadily in a shady manner. | ||
| shaft (noun) | 1 the long handle of any tool or weapon. 2 an arrow. 3 a connecting rod in a machine, one of the poles of a carriage to which a horse is tied. 4 the main part of a pillar. 5 a deep tunnel leading down to a mine. 6 a ray of light. | ||
| shag (noun) | 1 a kind of haircut that is shorter in front and longer in back with many layers. 2 heavy, rough woolen cloth. | ||
| shaggy (adjective) | 1 having rough, long hair (shaggy dogs). 2 rough (a shaggy coat). | ||
| shake (verb) | (pt shook , pp shaken ) 1 to move quickly up and down or to and fro (shake the bottle). 2 to tremble (her hands shook). 3 to make weaker or less firm (shake the foundations/shake a person’s faith). n 1 trembling. 2 a sudden jerk. 3 a shock. 4 short for milk shake. | ||
| shaker (noun) | 1 a person or thing that shakes. 2 (cap) a member of the United Society of Believers, an American religious community which believes in living with simplicity. | ||
| shaky (adjective) | 1 not steady (a chair with a shaky leg). 2 weak after illness. | ||
| shale (noun) | a soft rock that was formed by the hardening of clay and that breaks apart easily. adj shaly | ||
| shall (verb) | will, especially used in formal writing (I shall pay the lawyer). | ||
| shallot (noun) | a small onion. | ||
| shallow (adjective) | 1 not deep. 2 not thinking deeply (a shallow writer). n a place where water is not deep. | ||
| shalom (noun) | a greeting, meaning peace, used among Jewish people. | ||
| sham (noun) | 1 a person pretending to be what he or she is not (the doctor turned out to be a sham). 2 a thing made to look like something else (trials in that country are a sham). 3 a trick or fraud (their marriage was a sham). adj not real, pretended. vb (shammed , shamming ) to pretend. | ||
| shaman (noun) | a priest or medicine man, especially among certain tribes of Native Americans, who is believed to be able to heal and to tell the future by contacting good and evil spirits. | ||
| shamanism (noun) | the religion of certain peoples who believe in good and evil spirits that can be contacted by a shaman. | ||
| shamble (verb) | to walk clumsily. Also n. | ||
| shambles (noun, plural) | a scene of great disorder and confusion (the house was a shambles after the robbery). | ||
| shame (noun) | a feeling of sorrow for wrongdoing or for the inability to do something; disgrace; a painful feeling of having lost the respect of others. vb to make ashamed, to disgrace. | ||
| shamefaced (adjective) | showing shame or embarrassment. | ||
| shameful (adjective) | disgraceful, shocking, bringing or causing shame. | ||
| shameless (adjective) | not easily made ashamed, bold. | ||
| shampoo (verb) | to wash and rub the head and hair. n 1 act of shampooing. 2 a preparation used for shampooing (sachets of shampoo). | ||
| shamrock (noun) | a small plant with three leaves on each stem, the national symbol of Ireland. | ||
| shank (noun) | 1 the leg from the knee to the ankle. 2 the long handle or shaft of certain tools. | ||
| shanty (noun) | a poorly built hut, a shack. | ||
| shantytown (noun) | the section of a city where there a many shanties or small, rundown shacks (shantytowns have become part of the urban landscape in many developing countries). | ||
| shape (noun) | the form or outline of anything (clouds of different shapes). vb 1 to form (shape the sand into a castle). 2 to give a certain shape to (shape his career). in good shape in good condition (the players in his hockey team are all in good shape). | ||
| shapeless (adjective) | ugly or irregular in shape (she was wearing a shapeless dress). | ||
| shapely (adjective) | well-formed (shapely legs). | ||
| shard (noun) | a piece of broken pottery or glass. | ||
| share (noun) | 1 part of a thing belonging to a particular person. 2 one of the equal parts of the money of a company or business, lent by persons who may then receive a part of the profits. 3 the cutting part of a plough. vb 1 to divide among others. 2 to receive a part of. | ||
| sharecrop (verb) | to work for a share of the crop, especially as a tenant farmer. | ||
| shareholder (noun) | a person who owns shares in a company or business. | ||
| shareware | computer software that is provided for free for a limited time, with an option to buy. | ||
| sharia, shariah (noun) | the religious law of Islam. | ||
| shark (noun) | 1 a large meat-eating fish. 2 (informal) one ready to use unfair means to get as much money as possible (a loan shark). | ||
| sharp (adjective) | 1 having a thin edge for cutting with; having a fine point (a sharp knife). 2 quick and intelligent (a sharp child). 3 hurtful, unkind (a sharp tongue). 4 stinging, keen (a sharp pain). 5 (music) higher than the correct note. 6 rather sour (a sharp taste). n a musical sign to show that a note is to be raised half a tone (#). adv (of time) exactly. n a needle. | ||
| sharpen (verb) | to make sharp (sharpen knives). | ||
| sharper (noun) | a person who cheats, especially at cards. | ||
| sharpie (noun) | a long, narrow, flat-bottomed New England fishing boat with a centerboard and one or two masts, each with a triangular sail. | ||
| sharp-tongued (adjective) | using severe or harshly critical language. | ||
| sharp-witted (adjective) | quick and clever. | ||
| shatter (verb) | 1 to break into pieces, to smash (the cups shattered when they were dropped). 2 to put an end to (shatter their hopes). | ||
| shatterproof (adjective) | that will resist shattering. | ||
| shave (verb) | 1 to cut off hair with a razor (he shaves every morning). 2 to cut strips off the surface (shaving a thin strip from the edge of the door). 3 to pass very close to without touching (the car shaved the wall). n 1 act of shaving, especially the face. 2 a close hair cut. 3 a narrow escape. | ||
| shaven (adjective) | closely trimmed, shaved. | ||
| shaver (noun) | a person or instrument that shaves. | ||
| shaving (noun) | a thin strip cut off the surface (wood shavings). | ||
| shawl (noun) | a cloth folded and worn loosely over the shoulders, especially by women. | ||
| she (pronoun) | the woman, girl, female animal, or sometimes the thing referred to as female (as a boat), referred to. | ||
| she’ll | contraction short form of she will or she shall. | ||
| sheaf | Collective noun for corn (A sheaf of corn) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sheaf | Collective noun for wheat (A sheaf of wheat) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sheaf (noun) | (pl sheaves ) a number of things in a bundle (a sheaf of paper/sheaves of wheat). | ||
| shear (verb) | (pp shorn ) 1 to cut with shears (shear his curls off). 2 to clip the wool from (he made a living shearing sheep). 3 to cut or cause to break (the tree fell and sheared through the telephone line). npl 1 a pair of large scissors. 2 any of a number of large scissor-like tools for cutting hedges, shearing sheep, etc. | ||
| shearer (noun) | a person who shears (sheep- shearer). | ||
| shearing (noun) | the action of cutting with shears. | ||
| shearling (noun) | a sheep whose wool has been cut off only once. | ||
| sheath (noun) | a close-fitting case or container (he drew the sword from its sheath). | ||
| sheathe (verb) | to put into a sheath (sheathing the sword). | ||
| sheaves | see sheaf. | ||
| shebang (noun) | 1 a shack or hut. 2 an affair, business, thing, etc (the whole shebang). | ||
| shed1 (verb) | (shed, shedding ) 1 to let fall down or off (trees shed their leaves in autumn/snakes shed their skin several times a year). 2 to spread about (the lamps shed a soft light over the street). | ||
| shed2 (noun) | a hut, a small building used for storage (a garden shed). | ||
| sheen (noun) | brightness, shininess (the sheen on the polished table). | ||
| sheep (noun) | (pl sheep) 1 a farm animal valued for its wool and its meat. 2 a person who follows the lead of others without question. | ||
| sheepdog (noun) | a dog trained to look after and herd sheep. | ||
| sheepish (adjective) | awkward or embarrassed because of having done something wrong (he looked very sheepish when he was caught telling lies). | ||
| sheepskin (noun) | the skin of a sheep, especially one dressed with the fleece on itm, as for a coat. | ||
| sheer1 (adjective) | 1 very steep (sheer cliffs). 2 (of material) very fine or transparent (sheer silk). 3 thorough, complete (a sheer accident). | ||
| sheer2 (verb) | to swerve, to move suddenly in another direction (the car sheered to the right to avoid the truck). | ||
| sheet (noun) | 1 a broad thin piece of anything. 2 a bedcovering of linen, cotton, etc. 3 a broad stretch of water, flame, ice, etc. 4 a rope tied to the lower corner of a sail. | ||
| sheik(h) (noun) | an Arab chief of a family, tribe, or village. | ||
| shekel (noun) | 1 an ancient Jewish weight or coin. 2 pl (informal) money (have run out of shekels). 3 the unit of currency in Israel. | ||
| shelf (noun) | (pl shelves ) 1 a board fixed to a wall or fastened in a cupboard, used for placing things on. 2 a ledge, a long flat rock or sandbank. | ||
| shell (noun) | 1 a hard outer covering (a nutshell a seashell). 2 a thick metal case filled with explosive and fired from a gun. vb 1 to take the shell off. 2 to fire shells at (the city shelled by the enemy). | ||
| shellac (noun) | a type of resin used for making varnish. vb to apply this to something. | ||
| shellfish (noun) | a fish with a shell covering (shellfish such as mussels). | ||
| shelter (noun) | 1 a place that gives protection from the weather or safety from danger. 2 protection. vb to protect, to go for protection. | ||
| shelve (verb) | 1 to place on a shelf. 2 to put aside for a time. 3 to slope. | ||
| shelves | see shelf. | ||
| shelving (noun) | 1 material for shelves. 2 a set of shelves. | ||
| shepherd (noun) | a person who looks after or herds sheep. f shepherdess vb to guide a flock or group. | ||
| shepherd’s pie (noun) | a meat pie with a layer of mashed potatoes serving as a top crust. | ||
| sherbet (noun) | a frozen, fruit-flavored dessert | ||
| sherif (noun) | a descendant of Mohammed through his daughter Fatima. | ||
| sheriff (noun) | the chief law officer or judge of a county. | ||
| sherry (noun) | a Spanish wine (she liked to have a glass of dry sherry before dinner). | ||
| shield | Collective noun for icons (A shield of icons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| shield (noun) | 1 protection used to intercept blows or missiles. 2 a piece of metal or strong leather held in front of the body to defend it against sword strokes, etc (the knight’s shield). 3 any similar protective device (an eye shield). vb to defend, to protect (put his arm up to shield his eyes from the sun). | ||
| shift (verb) | 1 to change (shift position). 2 to move (shift the blame). 3 to remove, get rid of (stains that are difficult to shift). n 1 a change (a shift of emphasis). 2 a group of workers who carry on a job for a certain time and then hand over to another group. 3 the period during which such a group works. 4 a simple dress or nightgown (a cotton shift). | ||
| shifty (adjective) | untrustworthy, deceitful (have a shifty appearance). | ||
| shiitake (noun) | an edible Japanese mushroom. | ||
| shimmer (verb) | to shine with a flickering light (pavements shimmering in the rain). Also n. | ||
| shimmy (noun) | a dance popular in the 1920s. vb to shake or wobble, to dance the shimmy. | ||
| shin (noun) | the front part of the leg below the knee. vb (shinned , shinning ) to climb, gripping with the legs. | ||
| shine (verb) | (pt, pp shone ) 1 to give off light (street lights shining). 2 to direct a light or lamp (shine the light in their eyes). 3 to polish (shine his shoes). 4 (informal) to be very good at (the student shines at math). n brightness, polish. | ||
| shingle (noun) | 1 a thin, wedge-shaped piece of wood, slate, etc, laid with others in a series of overlapping rows as a covering for roofs and the sides of houses. 2 a woman’s short haircut in which the hair at the back of the head is shaped close to the head. | ||
| Shinto (noun) | the native religion of Japan. | ||
| shiny (adjective) | bright, glossy, as if polished (a shiny material). n shininess | ||
| ship (noun) | a large seagoing boat. vb (shipped , shipping ) 1 to put or take on board ship. 2 to transport by ship or other conveyance (ship the goods to their new home). 3 to go on board a ship. | ||
| shipbuilding (noun) | the act of making ships. | ||
| shipmate (noun) | a fellow sailor on the same ship. | ||
| shipment (noun) | 1 the sending of goods by ship. 2 the goods put on board a ship (a shipment of fruit). | ||
| shipping (noun) | 1 all the ships of a port, country, etc. 2 ships in general. 3 the act or business of sending goods. | ||
| shipshape (adjective) | in good order, neat and tidy (have the house shipshape for his mother’s return). | ||
| shipwreck (noun) | the loss or destruction of a ship at sea. Also vb. | ||
| shipyard (noun) | a place where ships are built or repaired. | ||
| shire (noun) | a British county. | ||
| shirk (verb) | to avoid (shirk duty). n shirker | ||
| shirt (noun) | a kind of upper garment (button up his shirt). | ||
| shish kebab (noun) | a dish consisting of small chunks of meat placed on sticks with vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, onions, then broiled or grilled. | ||
| shiva (noun) | in Judaism, the mourning period of seven days after someone has died. | ||
| shiver (verb) | 1 to tremble (shivering with cold). 2 to break into small pieces. n 1 a shaking or trembling. 2 a small piece (a shiver of glass). | ||
| shivery (adjective) | trembling, as with cold or fear. | ||
| shoal | Collective noun for mackerel (A shoal of mackerel) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| shoal | Collective noun for pilchards (A shoal of pilchards) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| shoal | Collective noun for shad (A shoal of shad) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| shoal1 (noun) | a shallow place in the sea, a sandbank. vb to become shallow. | ||
| shoal2 (noun) | 1 a large number of fish swimming together. 2 (informal) a crowd (shoals of visitors). | ||
| shock1 (noun) | a mass of long untidy hair (a shock of black hair). | ||
| shock2 (noun) | 1 the sudden violent striking of one thing against another (e.g. in a collision). 2 weakness of body or confusion of mind caused by a violent blow or collision (suffer from shock after an accident). 3 sorrow or a state of upset caused by sudden bad news, etc (the shock at hearing that he had died). 4 an involuntary movement of the body, caused by passing electricity through it. vb 1 to cause sudden pain or sorrow. 2 to horrify, to disgust (shocked by the treatment of his wife). | ||
| shocker (noun) | a person or thing that shocks. | ||
| shocking (adjective) | very bad, disgusting, indecent. | ||
| shockproof (adjective) | able to absorb shock without being damaged (shockproof watch). | ||
| shoddy (adjective) | cheap, of poor quality (shoddy clothes). n cheap cloth made up from wool clippings and other material. adv shoddily | ||
| shoe (noun) | 1 a covering for the foot (high-heeled shoes). 2 a U-shaped metal plate nailed to the hoof of a horse. vb to fit a horse with shoes. | ||
| shoehorn (noun) | a curved piece of horn, metal, etc, to help the foot slip easily into a shoe. | ||
| shoelace (noun) | a length of cord, leather, etc, used for tying a shoe. | ||
| shoo (interjection) | go away, get out. | ||
| shoo-in (noun) | (informal) a person who is expected to win easily an election, contest, etc. | ||
| shoot (verb) | (pt, pp shot ) 1 to fire a bullet from a gun (start shooting). 2 to let fly (shoot an arrow from a bow). 3 to move suddenly or quickly (the child shot across the road). 4 to hit or kill with a bullet from a gun (shoot rabbits). 5 (in games) to kick or hit at goal. 6 to begin to grow (plants shooting up). 7 to make a moving film (a film shot in Los Angeles). n 1 a young branch or bud. 2 a sloping way down which water may flow or objects slide. 3 an outing for shooting and hunting. | ||
| shooter (noun) | a person or thing that shoots. | ||
| shooting (noun) | the act of shooting a gun. | ||
| shooting gallery (noun) | a place where people can safely practice shooting guns at targets. | ||
| shooting star (noun) | what looks like a moving star, but is really a glowing fragment of a heavenly body flying through space. | ||
| shootout (noun) | a battle with handguns. | ||
| shop (noun) | 1 a place where goods are sold (a flower shop shopt shop-ing/) to visit shops to buy things (shop for groceries). talk shop to talk about work (she bores everyone by constantly talking shop). | ||
| shopkeeper (noun) | a person who owns or runs a shop where goods are sold. | ||
| shoplifter (noun) | a person who steals from the shops he or she is visiting (threaten to prosecute all shoplifters). vb shoplift | ||
| shopper (noun) | a person who shops. | ||
| shore1 (noun) | the land beside the sea, a river, lake, etc. | ||
| shore2 (noun) | a wooden prop or support. vb to prop up or support (shoring up the damaged wall). | ||
| shoreline (noun) | the edge of a body of water. | ||
| shorn (past participle) | of shear. | ||
| short (adjective) | 1 not long or tall (a short distance shawrt-lee shawrtz/ trousers reaching not lower than the knees. in short in a few words. | ||
| short circuit (noun) | the touching of two electric wires so that current passes from one to the other instead of straight on, usually accidental and causing damage. | ||
| shortage | Collective noun for dwarves (A shortage of dwarves) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| shortage (noun) | a lack of, not enough of (a staff shortage/shortage of supplies). | ||
| shortbread (noun) | a cookie-like cake made of flour, butter, and sugar. | ||
| shortcake (noun) | a crisp, light cake or biscuit served with fruit and whipped cream as a dessert. | ||
| shortcoming (noun) | a falling short of what is needed. | ||
| shortcut (noun) | a quicker way (drivers trying to find a shortcut to avoid the heavy traffic). | ||
| shorten (verb) | to make less in length or time (shorten the dress/shorten the working day). | ||
| shortening (noun) | a fat used in dough, pastry, etc. | ||
| shorthand (noun) | a type of writing, featuring symbols, in which a person can write as fast as a speaker speaks. | ||
| short-handed (adjective) | not having the number of helpers or workers required (short-handed at the factory). | ||
| shorthorn (noun) | a breed of cattle with short horns. | ||
| short-lived (adjective) | living or lasting for a short time only (her pleasure was short-lived). | ||
| short-run (adjective) | lasting for a short period of time. | ||
| shorts | see short. | ||
| short-sighted (adjective) | 1 unable to see clearly things that are distant. 2 lacking foresight (it was short-sighted of them not to save for their old age). | ||
| shortstop (noun) | in baseball, the infielder who plays near second base and often covers second base. | ||
| short-tempered (adjective) | easily angered (keep the child away from the short-tempered man). | ||
| shot | Collective noun for pediatricians (A shot of pediatricians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| shot put (noun) | a contest in which a heavy metal ball is thrown as far as possible from the shoulder. | ||
| shot1 (noun) | 1 the firing of a gun, etc (kill the animal with one shot). 2 small lead bullets. 3 a solid metal ball fired from a gun. 4 a person able to shoot (a good shot). 5 (informal) a single attempt at doing something (have another shot at learning to drive). 6 a series of pictures of a scene taken at one time by a camera. 7 (informal) an injection (a flu shot). | ||
| shot2 (verb), | pt and pp of shoot adj 1 (of material) having threads of a different color interwoven (shot silk). 2 streaked with color. 3 (sl) exhausted. | ||
| shotgun (noun) | a kind of gun usually used in hunting small animals. | ||
| should (verb), | pt of shall, used to express duty, what a person is supposed to do (he should be at work today but he has stayed at home). | ||
| shoulder (noun) | 1 the joint connecting an arm, wing, or foreleg to the body. 2 anything jutting out like a shoulder (the shoulder of the highway). vb 1 to push with the shoulder. 2 to put on to the shoulder (shoulder the planks of wood). 3 to bear, to accept, to take on (shoulder responsibilities). | ||
| shoulder blade (noun) | the broad flat bone of the shoulder. | ||
| shout | Collective noun for winners (A shout of winners) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| shout (verb) | to utter a loud cry (shout for help). n a loud cry, a call (there was a shout from someone in the audience). | ||
| shove (verb) | (informal) to push (they kept shoving him out of the way). Also n. | ||
| shovel (noun) | a spade with a broad blade for lifting earth, gravel, etc. vb (shoveled , shoveling , also shovelled, shovelling [Br]) to move with a shovel (shovel coal). | ||
| show (verb) | 1 to let be seen, to display (she showed them the new dress). 2 to point out (show them the way). 3 to be in sight (a light showing). 4 to prove (it showed how the system worked). n 1 a display. 2 a performance or entertainment (get tickets for the show). 3 a gathering at which flowers, animals, etc, are displayed to the public (the agricultural show). | ||
| show business (noun) | the world of entertainment, e.g., theater, films, television. | ||
| shower | Collective noun for bullets (A shower of bullets) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| shower | Collective noun for meteorologists (A shower of meteorologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| shower (noun) | 1 a short fall of rain. 2 a great number of things falling or arriving at one time (a shower of arrows). 3 a piece of bathroom equipment that produces a spray of water so that people standing underneath it can wash themselves. vb 1 to give to or let fall on in large numbers. 2 to take a shower. | ||
| showerproof (adjective) | waterproof against light rain only. | ||
| showery (adjective) | rainy, marked by many showers (showery weather). | ||
| showroom (noun) | a room or shop in which things are on display to the public (a furniture showroom). | ||
| shrapnel (noun) | 1 a shell packed with bullets or pieces of metal that are scattered when it explodes. 2 a fragment of the case of a bomb or shell. | ||
| shred (verb) | (shredded , shredding ) to tear or cut into small pieces (shred paper/shred lettuce). n a scrap, a rag, a piece cut or torn off. n shredder a person or thing that shreds (a shredder at the office for destroying certain documents). | ||
| shrew (noun) | 1 a small mouse-like animal. 2 a bad-tempered or sharp-tongued woman (a shrew of a wife). | ||
| shrewd (adjective) | clever in practical matters, cunning, good at judging (too shrewd to be deceived by them). | ||
| shrewdness | Collective noun for apes (A shrewdness of apes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| shriek (verb) | to scream (shrieking with fright). Also n. | ||
| shrift (noun) | the confession of sins to a priest. short shrift little mercy. | ||
| shrill (adjective) | high and piercing in sound (shrill children’s voices). | ||
| shrimp (noun) | 1 a small edible shellfish. 2 (informal) a very small person (her shrimp of a son). vb to fish for shrimps. | ||
| shrine (noun) | 1 a box or tomb containing something connected with a holy person or thing. 2 a place revered because of a connection with a holy person or event. | ||
| shrink (verb) | 1 to make or become smaller (clothes that shrink in the wash). 2 to go back in fear, horror, etc (shrink at the sight of the burglar). | ||
| shrinkage (noun) | the amount by which something becomes smaller. | ||
| shrink-wrap (verb) | to wrap in a tough, clear plastic material that shrinks to size when heated. | ||
| shrive (verb) | (pt shrove or shrived , pp shriven ) (fml or old) to hear the confession and forgive the sins of (priests shriving sinners). | ||
| shrivel (verb) | (shriveled , shriveling , also shrivelled, shrivelling [Br]) 1 to dry up and become smaller (plants shriveling in the heat). 2 to become wrinkled (skin shriveled from sitting too long in the bath). | ||
| shroud (noun) | 1 a garment or covering for a dead body. 2 pl the set of ropes supporting a mast of a ship. vb 1 to put in a shroud. 2 to cover, to hide (the hills were shrouded in mist). | ||
| shrub (noun) | a short tree-like bush with a short trunk. | ||
| shrubbery (noun) | a place where many shrubs are growing close together (children hiding in the shrubbery). | ||
| shrug (verb) | (shrugged , shrugging ) to raise the shoulders in surprise, doubt, etc (she shrugged in disbelief). | ||
| shrunken (adjective) | grown smaller, shriveled. | ||
| shudder | Collective noun for washing machines (A shudder of washing machines) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| shudder (verb) | to tremble from fear, etc; to shiver with cold (shudder from the winter chill in the air). Also n. | ||
| shuffle | Collective noun for bureaucrats (A shuffle of bureaucrats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| shuffle (verb) | 1 to make a noise by moving the feet on the ground (people shuffling around in their slippers). 2 to mix cards before giving them out. Also n. | ||
| shuffleboard (noun) | a game in which disks are pushed along a smooth lane toward numbered areas to get points. | ||
| shun (verb) | (shunned , shunning ) to avoid, to keep away from (she shuns crowds). | ||
| shunpike (noun) | a secondary road used to avoid a turnpike or highway. | ||
| shunt (verb) | 1 (of a railway engine or train) to move onto a different track or side line. 2 to move or turn to the side, to turn the other way. | ||
| shush (interjection) | used to tell another to be quiet. | ||
| shut (verb) | (shut, shutting ) to close (shut the door/shut the suitcase). | ||
| shut-eye (noun) | (informal) sleep. | ||
| shutout (noun) | a game in which one team has not been able to score. | ||
| shutter (noun) | a covering that can be placed or closed over a window or other opening to keep out light (close the wooden shutters). | ||
| shuttle | Collective noun for weavers (A shuttle of weavers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| shuttle (noun) | 1 the part of a weaving or sewing machine that carries the thread to and fro. 2 a traveling back and forth over an often short route, as by train, bus, airplane, etc. space shuttle an aircraft that can go into space and return to earth. | ||
| shuttlecock (noun) | a cork rounded at one end and stuck with feathers, used for a ball in badminton. | ||
| shy1 (adjective) | timid, easily frightened, keeping to oneself in front of others (she was too shy to speak to her parents’ friends). vb to jerk or jump to the side in fear, etc (horses shying). n shyness | ||
| shy2 (verb) | to throw. n a throw. | ||
| sibling (noun) | a brother or sister. | ||
| sibyl (noun) | in ancient times, a prophetess or fortune teller. | ||
| sick (adjective) | 1 ill (too sick to go to work). 2 bringing up food from the stomach by vomiting, about to vomit (always get sick on board a ship). 3 tired of, through having too much (sick of gardening/sick of meatloaf). | ||
| sickbed (noun) | the bed in which a sick person stays. | ||
| sicken (verb) | 1 to make or become sick (she sickened and died). 2 to disgust (the sight of the dead rabbit sickened her). adj sickening causing sickness or nausea, disgusting or revolting. | ||
| sickle (noun) | a knife with a curved blade for cutting corn, etc. | ||
| sickly (adjective) | 1 often ill (a sickly child). 2 pale (a sickly complexion). 3 over-sentimental (sickly love songs). | ||
| sickness (noun) | 1 illness. 2 vomiting. | ||
| siddur (noun) | the Jewish prayer book. | ||
| side (noun) | 1 one of the surfaces of a body, the part of the body between either shoulder and thigh (a pain in her side). 2 edge, border (the side of the lake). 3 slope (the side of the mountain). 4 one of two opposing parties or teams (the home side). adj on, at, or toward the side. vb to support one party against another. | ||
| side effect (noun) | a negative effect of taking medication. | ||
| sideboard (noun) | a piece of furniture for storing dishes, cutlery, linen, etc. | ||
| sideburns (noun) | the hair on a man’s face just in front of the ears, especially when the rest of the beard is shaved. | ||
| sidekick (noun) | a close friend, a partner. | ||
| sideline (noun) | an activity carried on in addition to a person’s real job (he serves in a bar as a sideline). | ||
| sidelong (adjective) | to the side, slanting (a sidelong glance). Also adv. | ||
| Siderodromophobia | fear of trains, railroads or train travel (see list of phobias) | ||
| Siderology | study of iron and its alloys, including steel (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Siderophobia | fear of stars (see list of phobias) | ||
| sideshow (noun) | a less important show at a fair, circus, exhibition, etc. | ||
| sidetrack (verb) | to turn someone away from what he or she was about to do (he was going to study but he got sidetracked). | ||
| sidewalk (noun) | a footpath at the side of a road. | ||
| sideways (adverb) | on or toward one side (move sideways). | ||
| sidewinder (noun) | a North American rattle snake that slithers across the sand sideways. | ||
| siding (noun) | 1 a covering for an outside wall of a building or house. 2 a short railway track off the main line, used for shunting, etc. | ||
| siege | Collective noun for herons (A siege of herons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| siege (noun) | surrounding a fort, town, etc, with an army to take it or make its garrison surrender. | ||
| sienna (noun) | an earthy coloring matter, yellowish brown in the natural state and reddish brown when burnt. | ||
| sierra (noun) | a range of mountains with pointed peaks. | ||
| siesta (noun) | a nap or rest taken after the noon meal, especially in Spain and some Latin American countries. | ||
| sieve (noun) | a container with a net bottom or a bottom full of holes, used for separating small particles of anything from larger pieces. vb to pass through a sieve (sieving flour). | ||
| sift (verb) | 1 to pass through a sieve. 2 to examine closely (sifting the evidence). n sifter sift out to separate good from bad. | ||
| sigh (verb) | a long, deep, easily heard breath expressing pain, sadness, unreturned love, etc. vb 1 to draw such a breath (sighing with boredom). 2 (lit) to long (for) (sigh for her lost love). | ||
| sight (noun) | 1 the power of seeing (lose her sight). 2 that which is seen (the sight of her in that hat). 3 something worth seeing (the sights of the town). 4 the area within which things can be seen by someone (the children were out of sight). 5 (often pl) a device attached to a gun to make it easier to aim straight. vb to see, to notice. out of sight too far away to be seen. | ||
| sighting (noun) | an observation of something rare or unusual (a UFO sighting). | ||
| sightseeing (noun) | going around the places of interest in a town, district, etc. n sightseer | ||
| sign | Collective noun for cymbals (A sign of cymbals) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sign (noun) | 1 a mark, movement, gesture, etc, representing an accepted meaning (a sign that she agrees). 2 a mark by which a person or thing can be recognized. 3 a notice to give directions or advertise (shop signs). vb 1 to write a person’s name on (sign an autograph book). 2 to convey meaning by a movement of the head, hands, etc. | ||
| sign language (noun) | a method of communication using the hands, used especially to communicate with deaf people. | ||
| signage (noun) | the signs displayed in a particular area. | ||
| signal (noun) | 1 a sign to give information, orders, etc, from a distance (give them a signal to keep quiet). 2 a tool used to give such signs to drivers of railway engines. 3 a message conveyed by such signs. adj notable, important. vb (signaled , signaling , also signalled, signalling [Br]) to make signals to (signal to them to stop). n signaler , also signaller (British spelling) | ||
| signatory (noun) | a person who has signed an agreement (signatories of the contract). | ||
| signature (noun) | a person’s name written by him or her self. | ||
| significance (noun) | meaning, importance (fail to understand the significance of her words). | ||
| significant (adjective) | full of meaning, important (no significant change in the patient’s condition/significant events). | ||
| signify (verb) | 1 to show by a sign (she signified her agreement by a nod). 2 to mean (what her remark signified). 3 to be important. | ||
| signpost (noun) | a post indicating the direction and sometimes also the distance to a place (see a signpost to the city). | ||
| Sikh (noun) | a member of an Indian religion called Sikhism , originally connected with Hinduism, but now based on a belief that there is only one God. | ||
| silage (noun) | green food for farm animals, kept in a silo. | ||
| silence (noun) | lack of sound, quietness. vb to cause to be quiet (silencing the children with a look). | ||
| silencer (noun) | a device for reducing the noise of an engine, gun, etc (the car’s silencer). | ||
| silent (adjective) | 1 making no sound (machines that are virtually silent). 2 not talking, speaking little (they were silent on the journey). 3 with no noise or sound (a silent house). | ||
| silhouette (noun) | the dark outline and flat shape of an object, especially of a face from the side, as seen with a light behind it. | ||
| silica (noun) | the dioxide form of silicon (SiO2), a glassy, hard, colorless mineral found as quartz or in agate, etc. | ||
| silicon (noun) | a chemical element found in rocks and minerals, with symbol Si. | ||
| silk (noun) | 1 the fine thread produced by the silkworm. 2 a soft material woven from this. | ||
| silken (adjective) | (lit) made of silk. | ||
| silkworm (noun) | a caterpillar that spins silk thread to enclose its cocoon. | ||
| silky (adjective) | 1 made of silk. 2 soft, smooth (silky hair). | ||
| sill (noun) | the ledge of stone or wood at the foot of a window. | ||
| silly (adjective) | foolish, unwise (a silly thing to do). | ||
| silo (noun) | a tower or pit in which green fodder (grass, etc) is stored until needed as food for animals. | ||
| silt (noun) | the earth, sand, etc, deposited by a moving river. vb to block or become blocked with silt. adj silty | ||
| silver (noun) | 1 a precious metal of shining white color (jewelry made of silver). 2 coins, dishes, etc, made of silver (the burglar stole the family silver). 3 (old) money. adj made of silver. vb to coat with silver. adj silvery 1 like silver (silvery hair). 2 clear in tone (her silvery voice). | ||
| silverware (noun) | dishes and utensils made of silver. | ||
| Silvology | study of forests and woodlands (see list of branches of science) | ||
| simian (adjective) | like a monkey or ape. | ||
| similar (adjective) | like, resembling (have similar attitudes). | ||
| similarity (noun) | likeness, resemblance (the similarity of their attitude). | ||
| simile (noun) | a striking comparison of one thing with another. | ||
| simmer (verb) | to keep on boiling slowly without boiling over (she left the sauce simmering in the pan on the stove). | ||
| simper (verb) | to smile in a silly or insincere way (girls simpering at the boys). Also n. | ||
| simple (adjective) | 1 unmixed, without anything added, pure (the simple truth). 2 not complicated (a simple explanation). 3 plain (a simple dress). 4 trusting, innocent, and inexperienced (simple country girls). 5 foolish, easily tricked (simple enough to believe him). n (old) a herb used as medicine. | ||
| simplicity (noun) | 1 easiness. 2 sincerity. 3 plainness. 4 innocence. | ||
| simplification (noun) | the act of making easier to do or understand. | ||
| simplify (verb) | to make easier to do or understand (simplified the process). | ||
| simply (adverb) | 1 in a clear way (explained simply). 2 absolutely (simply wonderful). 3 plain (live simply). 4 just, merely (do it simply for the money). | ||
| simulate (verb) | (formal) to pretend (simulating interest). n simulation | ||
| simultaneous (adjective) | taking place at the same time (a simultaneous ringing of the two phone lines). | ||
| sin (noun) | 1 a thought, word, or action that breaks the law of God. 2 a wicked act. vb (sinned , sinning ) 1 to do wrong. 2 to commit sin. n sinner | ||
| since (preposition) | from (a certain time till now). adv ago. (conjunction) 1 from the time that. 2 because. | ||
| sincere (adjective) | real, genuine, meaning what is said, frank (sincere friends sincere words of thanks). | ||
| sincerity (noun) | honesty of mind, genuineness. | ||
| Sindonology | study of the shroud of Turin (see list of branches of science) | ||
| sinew (noun) | a tendon, a tough cord-like substance that joins muscle to bone; muscular power. | ||
| sinewy (adjective) | strong, tough (sinewy workmen). | ||
| sinful (adjective) | full of sin, wicked (sinful thoughts). | ||
| sing (verb) | (pt sang , pp sung ) to make music with the voice, with or without words (singing love songs sing-er/. | ||
| singe (verb) | to burn slightly, to burn the surface or ends of. Also n. | ||
| single (adjective) | 1 one only, alone (a single sheet of paper/the single cause). 2 unmarried (single people). vb to pick out one (for special attention, etc). | ||
| single-handed (adjective) | 1 having only one hand. 2 using or needing the use of only one hand. 3 without help, done or working alone. | ||
| single-minded (adjective) | concentrating on one main purpose (single-minded attempts to get a job). | ||
| singly (adverb) | one by one, one at a time (leave the meeting singly). | ||
| singular (adjective) | 1 (formal) remarkable, unusual, odd, strange (a singular happening). 2 (in grammar) referring to one only (a singular noun). | ||
| singularity (noun) | 1 peculiarity, strangeness. 2 an unusual feature. | ||
| singularly (adverb) | (formal) strangely, remarkably (she was singularly beautiful). | ||
| sinister (adjective) | 1 evil looking (a sinister stranger). 2 threatening harm or evil (a sinister warning). | ||
| Sinistrophobia | fear of things to the left or left-handed (see list of phobias) | ||
| sink (verb) | (pt sank , pp sunk ) 1 to go slowly down (the sun was sinking). 2 to go below the surface of water (the boat sank). 3 to become worse or weaker (the invalid is sinking fast). 4 (of an idea) to be understood gradually (his death has not sunk in yet). 5 to dig (sink a well). 6 to cause to go underwater. n a basin with a drainpipe leading from it, used when washing. | ||
| sinker (noun) | a weight attached to a fishing line. | ||
| sinner (noun) | a person who commits a sin. | ||
| Sinology | study of China (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Sinophobia | fear of Chinese people or Chinese culture (see list of phobias) | ||
| sinus (noun) | a small hollow in a bone, especially that connecting the nose with the skull (have an infection of the sinuses). | ||
| sip (verb) | (sipped , sipping ) to drink in small mouthfuls (the little girl sipped her hot drink). Also n. | ||
| siphon (noun), | also siphon 1 a bent tube for drawing liquids out of one vessel into another. 2 a bottle of aerated water in which the liquid is forced out up a tube by the pressure of the gas. | ||
| sir (noun) | 1 a word of respect used to men. 2 the title given to a knight or baronet. | ||
| sire (noun) | 1 father. 2 male parent of a horse or other animal (the pony’s sire). 3 a title of respect used when addressing a king. vb (of animals) to procreate. | ||
| siren (noun) | 1 a loud horn sounded as a time signal or as a warning of danger (a police patrol car sped past us with its siren wailing/a siren warning of a bombing raid). 2 a mythical creature, half woman, half bird, who by the beauty of her song lured sailors to destruction. 3 an attractive but dangerous woman. | ||
| sirloin (noun) | the upper part of a loin of beef. | ||
| sister (noun) | 1 a girl or woman born of the same parents as another person. 2 nun. 3 a woman fellow member of the same race, church, profession, etc. | ||
| sisterhood (noun) | 1 the state of being sisters. 2 a society of women, usually carrying out religious or charitable works. | ||
| sister-in-law (noun) | 1 the sister of a husband or wife. 2 the wife of a person’s brother. | ||
| sisterly (adjective) | like a sister. | ||
| sit (verb) | (pt, pp sat , sitting ) 1 to take a rest on a seat. 2 to rest upon eggs to hatch them (the hen had been sitting on her eggs for days). 3 (of government, courts, etc) to meet to do business. 4 to rest upon (books sitting on the table). sit up 1 to sit straight. 2 to stay out of bed when it is time to sleep (her parents insisted on sitting up until she came in). | ||
| sitar (noun) | an Indian stringed instrument with a long neck and gourd-like bottom. | ||
| sit-down (noun) | a strike in which the strikers stay inside a factory, etc, refusing to leave or to work. | ||
| site (noun) | the ground on which a building or number of buildings stands or is to stand (the site of the new building). vb to choose a place for. | ||
| sit-in (noun) | a method of protesting against the government, a business, etc in which people sit in a public place and refuse to leave. | ||
| Sitiophobia | fear of food or eating (see list of phobias) | ||
| Sitology | study of dietetics (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Sitophobia | fear of food or eating (see list of phobias) | ||
| sitter (noun) | 1 a person who visits an artist to have his or her portrait done (the artist asked his sitter to keep still). 2 short for babysitter, a person who watches children while parents or guardians are away. | ||
| sitting (noun) | 1 a single uninterrupted meeting. 2 a single visit to an artist doing one’s portrait. 3 the act or position of one that sits. | ||
| sitting room (noun) | the room in which a family sits when not working; a living room. | ||
| situate (verb) | to put in a certain place. adj situated placed (their house is situated in a very busy street). | ||
| situation (noun) | 1 a place or position (a house in a lovely situation). 2 (formal) a job (seek a new situation). 3 circumstances (their financial situation). | ||
| sit-up (noun) | a stomach exercise in which a person lies flat on the back and rises to a sitting position without using the hands. | ||
| six (noun) | the number 6, coming between five and seven. | ||
| sixfold (adjective) | having six parts, having six times as much or as many. | ||
| sixteen (noun) | the number 16, coming between fifteen and seventeen. | ||
| sixteenth (adjective) | 16th, coming after fifteen others. n one of sixteen equal parts. | ||
| sixth (adjective) | 6th, coming after five others. n one of six equal parts. | ||
| sixty (noun) | the number 60, coming between fifty-nine and sixty-one. adj sixtieth 60th. | ||
| sizable (adjective) | quite large or bulky (the factory received a sizable order for their goods). | ||
| size1 (noun) | bigness, bulk. vb to arrange in order according to size (sizing the eggs). size up to form an opinion about (he was good at sizing up the opposition). | ||
| size2 (noun) | a thin glue used as a varnish on paper, cloth, etc. | ||
| sizzle (verb) | to make a hissing or spluttering sound, as when frying (sausages sizzling in the pan). | ||
| skate1 (noun) | a steel blade fastened to a boot to allow a gliding movement on ice. vb to move on skates. | ||
| skate2 (noun) | a large edible flatfish. | ||
| skateboard (noun) | a short narrow board on small wheels on which a person stands and moves rapidly or performs jumps and stunts. n skateboarding | ||
| skating rink (noun) | an area of ice prepared for skating. | ||
| skedaddle (verb) | (informal) to run off or run away, to leave in a hurry. | ||
| skein | Collective noun for goslings (A skein of goslings) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| skein | Collective noun for silk (A skein of silk) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| skeleton (noun) | 1 the bony framework of a body. 2 an outline of a plot or plan (give a skeleton of the plan to the committee). skeleton in the closet something in a person’s past life that he or she keeps secret for fear of disgrace (newspaper reporters anxious to find a skeleton in the film star’s closet). | ||
| skeleton key | a key that will open a number of different locks of a similar pattern (the skeleton key held by the hotel manager). | ||
| skeleton staff | the least number of people needed to keep a factory, etc, working. | ||
| skeptic (adjective) also sceptic (British spelling) | a person who doubts things that others believe are true (a skeptic might question whether God exists). adj skeptical , also sceptical (British spelling) | ||
| sketch (noun) | 1 a rough drawing or painting, sometimes to be finished later. 2 an outline or short account (a sketch of their future plans). 3 a short amusing play. vb 1 to make a quick or rough drawing. 2 to give a short account or outline of (sketching out their plans). | ||
| sketchbook (noun) | a book of drawing paper for making sketches. | ||
| sketchy (adjective) | incomplete, leaving out details (a sketchy description of their plans). | ||
| skew (adjective) | slanting, not straight. | ||
| skewer (noun) | a wooden or metal pin for fastening meat in shape while cooking (meat cooked on skewers). | ||
| ski (noun) | a long strip of wood, metal, etc, fixed to the feet to allow gliding movements over snow. n skier , skiing vb to glide over snow on skis. | ||
| ski plane (noun) | an airplane fitted with skis instead of wheels for landing and taking off in the snow. | ||
| skid (noun) | 1 one of a group of objects, such as planks or logs, used to support or elevate a structure or object. 2 a wooden or metal block attached to a chain and placed under a wheel to prevent its turning when descending a steep hill. 3 a sort of runner fixed to the under part of an airplane. 4 the act of skidding. vb (skidded , skidding ) 1 to move sideways on wheels that fail to turn (cars skidding on the ice). 2 to stop turning by placing a block under (a wheel). | ||
| skill (noun) | ability gained by practice, natural cleverness at doing something (her skill as a pianist was obvious). | ||
| skilled (adjective) | expert. | ||
| skillet (noun) | 1 a frying pan. 2 (British spelling) small pot with a long handle and legs. | ||
| skillful (adjective) also skilful (British spelling) | expert, clever (at doing something) (she was a skillful pianist). adv skillfully , also skilfully (British spelling) | ||
| skim (verb) | (skimmed , skimming ) 1 to remove anything floating on the surface of a liquid (skim the fat off the stew). 2 to pass quickly over the surface of. 3 to read quickly and without attention (skim the headlines). | ||
| skim milk (noun), | also skimmed milk (British spelling) milk from which the cream has been skimmed. | ||
| skimp (verb) | to give less than is needed; to give or use sparingly (skimp on the curtain material). | ||
| skimpy (adjective) | barely or not quite enough (a skimpy dress/skimpy helpings of food). | ||
| skin (noun) | 1 the natural outer covering of animals. 2 a thin layer or covering (the skin on rice pudding). 3 a container made of animal skin. vb (skinned , skinning ) to remove the skin. | ||
| skinny (adjective) | (informal) very thin (skinny children). | ||
| skintight (adjective) | clinging closely to the body. | ||
| skip1 (verb) | (skipped , skipping ) 1 to jump about lightly. 2 to keep on jumping over a rope swung over the head and then under the feet alternately. 3 to miss out something, e.g. to leave out parts of a book when reading it (skip the descriptive parts in the novel). n a light jump. | ||
| skip2 (noun) | a large open container for collecting and carrying away building materials and other heavy waste. | ||
| skip3 (noun) | the captain of a curling or bowling team. | ||
| skipper (noun) | the captain of a ship or team. | ||
| skirmish (noun) | 1 a fight in which the main armies are not engaged. 2 a fight broken off before serious harm is done to either side. vb to fight in small parties. | ||
| skirt (noun) | 1 the part of a garment below the waist (the skirt of the ball dress). 2 a woman’s garment stretching from the waist down. 3 the border or outer edge. vb to pass along the edge or border. | ||
| skit (noun) | a piece of writing in which persons, events, etc, are imitated in a way that makes fun of them. | ||
| skitter | Collective noun for golf carts (A skitter of golf carts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| skittish (adjective) | easily excitable (in a skittish mood). | ||
| skulk | Collective noun for foxes (A skulk of foxes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| skulk | Collective noun for friars (A skulk of friars) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| skulk (verb) | to try to keep out of sight for fear or with evil intentions (burglars skulking in the garden watching the empty house). | ||
| skull (noun) | the bony case that contains the brain. | ||
| skullcap (noun) | a light, closefitting, brimless cap usually worn indoors. | ||
| skunk (noun) | 1 a black and white animal that sprays a bad-smelling fluid when attacked. 2 (informal) a mean or contemptible person (he was a skunk to betray his friend). | ||
| sky (noun) | the space around the earth as visible to our eyes. | ||
| sky blue (adjective) | light blue, azure. | ||
| sky box (noun) | an elevated room at a sport stadium where the event can be viewed in luxurious surroundings. | ||
| sky dive (verb) | to jump from a plane and fall for as long as possible without opening a parachute. | ||
| skylark (noun) | a small bird that sings as it flies upward. vb to play about noisily, to play tricks. | ||
| skylight (noun) | a window in the roof of a building (the skylight in the attic). | ||
| skyline (noun) | the horizon. | ||
| skyscraper (noun) | a very tall building. | ||
| skywards (adverb) | upward from the earth. | ||
| slab | Collective noun for morticians (A slab of morticians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| slab (noun) | a large flat piece of anything (a slab of cheese). | ||
| slack1 (adjective) | 1 loose, not tight (a slack waistband). 2 careless, lazy (workers becoming slack under poor management). 3 not busy (their slack time of year). n the loose part of a rope, etc. vb 1 to work lazily or carelessly. 2 to lose speed. | ||
| slack2 (noun) | coal dust and tiny pieces of coal. | ||
| slacken (verb) | 1 to loosen. 2 to lose force or speed (trains slackening speed). 3 to become less (demand slackening). | ||
| slacker (noun) | (informal) a person who does not work hard. | ||
| slackness (noun) | 1 looseness (the slackness of the waistband). 2 carelessness. | ||
| slacks (noun, plural) | loose-fitting pants. | ||
| slake (verb) | 1 to satisfy (thirst). 2 to mix lime with water (when making cement). | ||
| slalom (noun) | a skiing race downhill over a zigzag course marked by poles. | ||
| slam (verb) | (slammed , slamming ) to shut or put down noisily (slam the door angrily). n a bang. | ||
| slam-dunk (noun) | in basketball, a dunk shot in which the ball is slammed through the basket. | ||
| slander (noun) | an untrue story written or said to injure a person’s character (take them to court on a charge of slander). vb to spread such a story. | ||
| slanderous (adjective) | harmful to the reputation. | ||
| slang (noun) | words and phrases in common use but not accepted as good English. | ||
| slant (noun) | slope (draw a line at a slant). vb 1 to slope or cause to slope. 2 to express or describe something in such a way as to emphasize a certain point or show favor toward a particular point of view. | ||
| slap (noun) | a blow with the open hand. vb (slapped , slapping ) to strike with the flat of the hand or anything flat. | ||
| slapdash (adjective) | careless, done in a hurry (slapdash in their attitude to their work). adv carelessly. | ||
| slapstick (adjective) | causing laughter by silly actions, such as falling down or bumping into things. Also n. | ||
| slash (verb) | 1 to make a sweeping cut at with a knife, etc, to make long cuts in. 2 to reduce sharply (slash prices). n a long cut. | ||
| slat (noun) | a thin strip of wood, etc. | ||
| slate | Collective noun for candidates (A slate of candidates) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| slate1 (noun) | 1 a type of rock that splits easily into thin layers. 2 a shaped piece of slate for covering a roof or for writing on. vb to cover with slate (slating the roof). | ||
| slate2 (verb) | 1 to scold angrily. 2 to criticize severely (a play slated by the critics). | ||
| slaughter (noun) | 1 killing in great numbers. 2 the act of killing. vb 1 to kill in great numbers (slaughter every soldier). 2 to kill for food (slaughter cattle). | ||
| slaughterhouse (noun) | a place where animals are killed for food. | ||
| slave (noun) | 1 a person who is the property of another person and has to work for him or her. 2 a person who has to do the dirty or unpleasant work. vb to work very hard (slaving away to try to pass the exam). | ||
| slave ship (noun) | a ship for moving slaves, especially when taking them from Africa to the Americas. | ||
| slave trade (noun) | the buying and selling of people as slaves. | ||
| slaver | Collective noun for gluttons (A slaver of gluttons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| slavery (noun) | 1 the state of being a slave, the owning or keeping of slaves as a practice. 2 hard, unpleasant, and badly paid work (it was sheer slavery working in the hotel kitchen). 3 lack of all freedom. | ||
| slay (verb) | (pt slew , pp slain ) to kill. | ||
| sleazy (adjective) | shabby, morally low. n sleaze | ||
| sled (noun), | also sledge (British spelling) a vehicle, usually with runners, for sliding through the snow, especially small, steerable ones for children (the children were pulling their sleds up the snow-covered hill). vb to ride on a sled, to carry on a sled. | ||
| sledgehammer (noun) | a long-handled, heavy hammer usually held with two hands. | ||
| sleek (adjective) | 1 smooth and shiny (sleek hair). 2 well fed and cared for (sleek cats). | ||
| sleep (verb) | (pt, pp slept) to rest the body, with the eyes shut, unaware of the surroundings. n a complete rest for the body, as at night (we had a good sleep despite the thunderstorm). adv sleepily in a drowsy, sleepy manner. | ||
| sleeper (noun) | 1 a person or animal who is asleep. 2 a long rectangular block that supports railway lines. 3 a coach on a train with bunks for sleeping passengers. | ||
| sleeping bag (noun) | a large, warmly lined, zippered bag in which a person can sleep, especially outdoors. | ||
| sleeping pill (noun) | a drug that makes a person sleepy and drowsy, so as to help him or her to sleep (she relies too heavily on sleeping pills). | ||
| sleepless (adjective) | 1 unable to sleep (lie sleepless all night). 2 without sleep (a sleepless night). | ||
| sleepover (noun) | 1 (informal) a party where (usually) children spend the night at a place other than home. Also a slumber party or a pajama party. 2 a night spent by children at a friend’s house. | ||
| sleepwalker (noun) | a person who walks about in his or her sleep. vb sleepwalk | ||
| sleepy (adjective) | wanting to sleep, drowsy. | ||
| sleet (noun) | falling snow mixed with rain or hail. adj sleety | ||
| sleeve (noun) | 1 the part of a garment that covers the arm. 2 a tube or tube-like part fitting over or around another part. 3 a thin paper or plastic cover for protecting something. | ||
| sleigh (noun) | a vehicle on runners drawn by horses or dogs for use in snow; a sled. | ||
| sleight (noun) | cunning or craft used to trick. | ||
| sleight of hand (noun) | quickness with the hands, jugglery (admire the magician’s sleight of hand). | ||
| slender (adjective) | 1 slim (a slender figure). 2 thin, scanty, only just enough (of slender means). | ||
| sleuth | Collective noun for bears (A sleuth of bears) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sleuth (noun) | a detective (the sleuth in the crime story). | ||
| slew | Collective noun for exterminators (A slew of exterminators) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| slew | Collective noun for homework (A slew of homework) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| slew1 (past tense) | of slay. | ||
| slew2 (noun), | also slough (British spelling) a hollow filled with mud; a bog. | ||
| slew3 (noun) | (informal) a large number, a group. | ||
| slice (verb) | 1 to cut into thin pieces (slicing bread). 2 to strike a ball in a glancing blow that makes it spin. n 1 a thin broad piece cut off (a slice of bread). 2 a flat utensil for serving food (a fish slice). | ||
| slick (adjective) | 1 quick and clever (flip the pancake with a slick movement). 2 smart but not trustworthy (a slick salesman). | ||
| slide (verb) | (pt, pp slid ) 1 to move smoothly over a surface, as of ice; to slip. 2 to become gradually lower or worse. n 1 a slope or track for sliding on (the children’s slide in the park). 2 a small glass plate with an object to be examined through a microscope or a picture to be shown on a screen (scientists examining bacteria on a slide). | ||
| slider (noun) | 1 a person or thing that slides. 2 in baseball, a pitch with the speed of a fastball and the movement of a curve. | ||
| slight (adjective) | 1 small, lightly built (too slight to push the heavy car). 2 small, not great, not serious (matters of slight importance/a slight problem). n an insult. vb to treat as unimportant, to treat insultingly. | ||
| slim (adjective) | thin, lightly built, small (slim young women). vb (slimmed , slimming ) to reduce weight by exercises, not eating certain foods, etc (go on a diet to try to slim). | ||
| slime (noun) | any soft, moist, slippery, sometimes sticky matter. | ||
| slimy (adjective) | 1 covered with slime, slippery. 2 untrustworthy (a slimy character). | ||
| sling (verb) | (pt, pp slung ) 1 to throw with the outstretched arm (sling a stone in the river). 2 to cause to hang from (a gun slung from his shoulder). n 1 a strap or band used for hurling stones. 2 a bandage hanging from the neck to support an injured arm. 3 a band passed around something to help to lift or support it (a baby sling). | ||
| slingshot (noun) | a Y-shaped piece of wood, metal, etc, with an elastic band attached to the upper tips for shooting stones, etc. | ||
| slink (verb) | (pt, pp slunk ) to go away quietly as if ashamed (the dog slunk away after being punished). | ||
| slinky (adjective) | 1 sneaking. 2 graceful in movement. | ||
| slip (verb) | (slipped , slipping ) 1 to move smoothly along. 2 to go quietly or unseen. 3 to lose footing. 4 to escape (the memory). n 1 the act of slipping. 2 a careless mistake. 3 a narrow piece of paper. 4 a twig. 5 a loose cover (e.g. a pillowcase). 6 a woman’s undergarment or petticoat. 7 a prepared downward slope along which ships can slide into the sea. give the slip to to go away from without being noticed. | ||
| slipcase (noun) | a box-like container for a book or set of books, open at one end to show the spine(s) of the book(s). | ||
| slipcover (noun) | a removable, fitted cloth cover for a chair, sofa, etc. | ||
| slipknot (noun) | a knot that can be moved. | ||
| slippage (noun) | the act of slipping, the amount of slipping. | ||
| slipper (noun) | a loose shoe for wearing in the house. | ||
| slippery (adjective) | 1 hard to stand on without sliding or falling (slippery ground). 2 hard to hold without the grip sliding (slippery fish). 3 (informal) untrustworthy (a slippery character). | ||
| slipshod (adjective) | careless, untidy (the interior decoration was slipshod). | ||
| slit (verb) | (slitted , slitting ) to make a long cut in (slit the envelope open). n a long narrow cut or opening. | ||
| slither (verb) | to slide clumsily or without control, to slip or slide on (people slithering on icy pavements/a snake slithering along the ground). | ||
| sliver (noun) | a thin piece cut off, a splinter (a sliver of cheese). | ||
| slob (noun) | a sloppy or gross person. | ||
| slobber (verb) | to let saliva run or fall from the mouth. | ||
| slog (verb) | (slogged , slogging ) (informal) 1 to hit hard. 2 to work hard (slogging away at his homework). n slogger. | ||
| slogan (noun) | 1 a war cry. 2 a party cry or catchword. 3 an easily memorized saying used to advertise a product or campaign. | ||
| sloop (noun) | a small sailing boat with one mast. | ||
| slop (verb) | (slopped , slopping ) to spill through carelessness; to overflow a little at a time. n 1 a puddle of spilled liquid. 2 (usually pl) dirty or waste water. 3 (usually pl) liquid food. | ||
| slope (noun) | 1 a rise or fall from the level. 2 a slant. vb 1 to rise or fall from the level (fields sloping down to the sea). 2 to slant. | ||
| sloppy (adjective) | (informal) 1 wet, muddy. 2 careless and untidy (sloppy work). 2 foolishly sentimental (sloppy love stories). | ||
| sloppy joe (noun) | a sandwich made of ground beef mixed with tomato sauce and spices served on a bun. | ||
| slosh (verb) | to shake a liquid; to apply a liquid; to splash through water. | ||
| slot (noun) | a narrow opening or hole, especially one made to receive coins (the slot in a parking meter). | ||
| sloth (noun) | 1 laziness. 2 a slow-moving South American animal that lives in trees. | ||
| slothful (adjective) | very lazy. | ||
| slouch | Collective noun for models (A slouch of models) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| slouch (verb) | to stand, walk, or sit with bent back and head and shoulders sloping inward (slouching in his chair). n a lazy, unhealthy, and improper way of standing and walking. adj slouchy | ||
| slough (noun) | the cast-off skin of a snake. vb 1 to cast off (snakes sloughing their skin). 2 to throw off (slough off a feeling of depression). | ||
| slovenly (adjective) | dirty and untidy, very careless (slovenly habits/a slovenly housekeeper). | ||
| slow (adjective) | 1 not quick or fast. 2 taking a long time to do things. 3 not clever (slow pupils). 4 behind the correct time (the clock is slow). vb to go or cause to go less quickly. | ||
| sludge (noun) | soft, thick mud. | ||
| slug1 (noun) | a shell-less snail that is harmful to plants. | ||
| slug2 (verb) | (slugged , slugging ) 1 to shoot. 2 to hit hard. n a small solid metal bullet. | ||
| sluggish (adjective) | slow-moving (feel sluggish). | ||
| slum (noun) | part of a town in which poor people live in overcrowded, dirty, and unhealthy houses. | ||
| slumber | Collective noun for anaesthetists (A slumber of anaesthetists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| slumber | Collective noun for sloths (A slumber of sloths) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| slumber (verb) | to sleep. n sleep. | ||
| slump (noun) | a sudden fall in prices, wages, etc (a slump in house prices). vb 1 to go suddenly down in price, etc. 2 to fall suddenly or heavily (she slumped into a chair). | ||
| slur (verb) | (slurred , slurring ) 1 to pass over quickly or without attention. 2 to make (sounds) unclear by running them together (a tired man slurring his words). n 1 a bad point in a person’s character or reputation. 2 (music) a curved mark over two or more notes to be played smoothly one after the other. | ||
| slurp (verb) | to drink or eat noisily. | ||
| slush (noun) | 1 half-melted snow. 2 (informal) foolishly sentimental writing or talk (the slush on some greetings cards). adj slushy | ||
| sly (adjective) | cunning, tricky, doing things in a secret and untrustworthy way. on the sly secretly. | ||
| smack1 (verb) | 1 to hit with the flat of the hand (mothers smacking children). 2 to part the lips so as to make a sharp noise. n 1 a slap. 2 a loud kiss. | ||
| smack2 (noun) | a taste, a flavor or suggestion of. vb 1 to taste (of). 2 to remind of, to suggest (the situation smacks of bribery). | ||
| smack3 (noun) | a small fishing boat with sails. | ||
| small (adjective) | 1 little (small people). 2 not much (small reason to rejoice). n the lower part of the back. | ||
| small intestine (noun) | the part of the digestive system where nutrients are absorbed from food and passed into the bloodstream. | ||
| small talk (noun) | conversation about unimportant matters (trying to make small talk with his neighbor). | ||
| smallpox (noun) | a dangerous infectious disease that leaves little pocks on the skin. | ||
| smart (adjective) | 1 quick, clever (smart pupils/smart thinking). 2 well-dressed (smart wedding guests). vb to feel or cause a quick keen pain (a burn that was smarting). | ||
| smarten (verb) | to make smart or smarter (told to smarten up his appearance). | ||
| smash (verb) | to break into pieces (smash crockery). n 1 act of breaking into pieces. 2 the noise caused by breakage. 3 an accident involving one or more vehicles (a motorway smash). 4 a disaster, downfall. smash and grab a theft carried out by smashing a shop window and taking articles behind it. | ||
| smear | Collective noun for gynaecologists (A smear of gynaecologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| smear (verb) | 1 to spread (something sticky or dirty) over the surface (smear jam over his bread). 2 to smudge, to make or become blurred (smear the lettering). n 1 a dirty mark, a blot. 2 a story intended to harm a person’s good name (a smear campaign). adj smeary | ||
| smell (noun) | 1 the sense that enables animals to become aware of by breathing in through the nose (dogs finding the criminal by smell). 2 scent, odor. vb (pt, pp smelled ) 1 to perceive by smell. 2 to give off an odor. smell a rat to be suspicious. | ||
| smelly (adjective) | (informal) having an unpleasant odor (smelly socks). | ||
| smelt1 (verb) | to melt metal out of rock. n smelter | ||
| smelt2 (noun) | a small edible fish of the salmon family. | ||
| smile (verb) | 1 to show joy, amusement, etc, by an upward movement of the lips. 2 to be favorable (the future smiling on them). n a look of pleasure or amusement. adj smiley | ||
| smirk (verb) | to smile in a silly or unnatural manner (stand smirking while being photographed). n a smug or scornful smile (a self-satisfied smirk). | ||
| smite (verb) | (pt smote , pp smitten ) (old or fml) 1 to strike hard. 2 to cause to suffer from (smitten with flu). | ||
| smith (noun) | a craftsperson who works in metals. | ||
| smock (noun) | 1 a loose overall worn to protect a person’s clothes. 2 a woman’s loose dress. | ||
| smog (noun) | a smoky fog, pollution. | ||
| smoke (noun) | the sooty vapor rising from a burning substance (smoke rising from the chimney). vb 1 to give off smoke (fires smoking). 2 to draw in the tobacco smoke from a cigarette, pipe, etc. 3 to preserve in smoke (smoked fish). 4 to drive out by smoke. adj smoky | ||
| smoke screen (noun) | 1 thick clouds of smoke sent out to conceal movements. 2 something intended to conceal activities (his shop was a smoke screen for his drug-smuggling). | ||
| smokehouse (noun) | a building where meats are smoked to preserve them. | ||
| smoker (noun) | 1 a person who smokes tobacco. 2 a compartment in a train in which smoking is allowed. | ||
| smokestack (noun) | the chimney of a steamer or factory. | ||
| smolder (verb), | also smoulder (British spelling) to burn and smoke without flame. | ||
| smooth (adjective) | 1 having an even surface, not rough. 2 free from difficulties (the smooth running of the club). 3 having good yet not pleasing manners. vb to make smooth or level (smooth the rough wooden surface). | ||
| smooth-tongued (adjective) | able to speak in a very polite or flattering manner. | ||
| smorgasbord (noun) | a wide variety of tasty foods laid out in a buffet. | ||
| smother (verb) | to kill by keeping air from. | ||
| smudge (noun) | a dirty mark, a stain. vb 1 to make a dirty mark on. 2 to make or become blurred or smeared (smudging the painting). adj smudgy | ||
| smug (noun) | self-satisfied, too pleased with oneself. | ||
| smuggle (verb) | 1 to bring goods into the country secretly, without paying customs duties on them. 2 to bring in or pass secretly (smuggling food into the movies). | ||
| smuggler (noun) | a person who smuggles goods. | ||
| smut (noun) | 1 a flake of soot. 2 a dirty mark or stain. 3 dirty or indecent talk. adj smutty (object to the comedian’s§ smutty jokes). | ||
| snack (noun) | a light, quick meal (a midmorning snack) 2 something, such as a piece of fruit, eaten between meals. vb to eat between meals. | ||
| snag (noun) | 1 an unexpected difficulty (their plans hit a snag). 2 a log or tree stump just below the water surface, dangerous to boats. vb to damage or tear something by getting it caught on something. adj snaggy | ||
| snail (noun) | a slow-moving soft-bodied creature with a shell on its back. | ||
| snake (noun) | 1 a long creature that slithers along the ground with no legs and a scaly skin, a serpent. 2 an untrustworthy or deceitful person (the snake betrayed his friend). | ||
| Snakephobia | fear of snakes (see list of phobias) | ||
| snap | Collective noun for photographers (A snap of photographers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| snap (verb) | (snapped , snapping ) 1 to bite or seize suddenly. 2 to break with a sharp sound (twigs snapping as they walked). 3 to speak in a quick, angry manner (mothers snapping at their children). 4 to take a photograph of with a hand camera. n 1 a sudden bite. 2 a short, sharp sound. 3 a lock that springs shut when released. 4 a spell of weather (a cold snap). 5 a card game. 6 a snapshot. | ||
| snapdragon (noun) | a plant with a showy white, yellow, red, or purple flower. | ||
| snappish (adjective) | irritable, short-tempered. | ||
| snappy (adjective) | 1 snappish (a snappy remark). 2 (informal) quick (ask for a snappy response). | ||
| snapshot (noun) | 1 a quick shot. 2 a photograph taken with a hand camera. | ||
| snare (noun) | 1 a kind of musical drum. 2 a trap for catching birds or animals, especially one made with a running noose. 3 a temptation (her beauty was a snare). vb to catch by a snare (snaring rabbits). | ||
| snarl (verb) | 1 to growl angrily and show the teeth (dogs snarling). 2 to speak rudely or angrily (an old man snarling at the children). Also n. | ||
| snatch (verb) | to seize quickly or suddenly. n 1 a sudden seizing. 2 a small part. | ||
| sneak | Collective noun for weasels (A sneak of weasels) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sneak (verb) | 1 to go quietly, as a thief (sneak up the stairs at midnight). 2 to tell of another’s wrongdoing to a person in authority (children sneaking on their friends). 3 to behave meanly. n 1 a telltale. 2 a mean person. | ||
| sneaker (noun) | a running shoe. | ||
| sneaking (adjective) | underhand, secret. | ||
| sneaky (adjective) | mean. | ||
| sneer (verb) | to show scorn by a look or remark (sneer at his attempts to row the boat). n a mocking smile or remark. | ||
| sneeze (verb) | to expel air noisily through the nose and mouth in a sudden, explosive action (people with colds sneezing). n the act or sound of sneezing. | ||
| snicker (verb) | to laugh under the breath or secretly, to giggle nervously or unpleasantly. Also n. | ||
| snide (adjective) | cutting, slyly mean, nasty. | ||
| sniff (verb) | 1 to breathe noisily inward. 2 to smell (sniff the smell of the sea). n 1 the act or sound of sniffing. 2 a slight smell. sniff at to show scorn for. | ||
| sniffle (verb) | to sniff repeatedly, as when a person has a cold or the flu. n the sniffles a cold. | ||
| snigger | same as snicker. | ||
| snip (verb) | (snipped , snipping ) to cut as with scissors, to cut off with one sharp movement (snip off a lock of her hair). n 1 the act or sound of scissors closing to cut. 2 a small piece cut off (a snip of the material). | ||
| snipe1 (noun) | a game bird with a long bill, found in marshy places. | ||
| snipe2 (verb) | to shoot at from a hiding place. n sniper | ||
| snippet (noun) | 1 a small piece cut off. 2 a short item of news (snippets of gossip). | ||
| snivel (verb) | (sniveled , sniveling ) 1 to run at the nose. 2 to go on crying or complaining; to whimper (snivel about being cold). | ||
| snob (noun) | a person who looks down on others because they are less wealthy or of lower rank in society (his former friends accuse him of being a snob). n snobbery adj snobby | ||
| snobbish (adjective) | behaving like a snob. | ||
| snooker (noun) | a billiards game in which players have to knock, with a white cue ball, fifteen red and then in order six colored balls into pockets on a table. | ||
| snoop (verb) | to go about secretly or stealthily to find out something (snooping among her friend’s papers). n snooper | ||
| snooty (adjective) | (informal) haughty, proud, distant in manner (snooty neighbors who won’t speak to other people). | ||
| snooze (noun) | (informal) a short, light sleep. vb to take a short nap (snoozing on the plane). | ||
| snore (verb) | to breathe noisily while asleep, as if grunting. n the noise so made. | ||
| snorkel (noun) | a tube that extends above the water through which a person can breathe while swimming just below the surface of the water. | ||
| snort (verb) | to blow air out noisily through the nose (snort with disbelief). Also n. | ||
| snot (noun) | (informal) the mucus of the nose. | ||
| snout (noun) | 1 the long nose and mouth of an animal (the pig’s snout). 2 the nozzle of a pipe. | ||
| snow (noun) | vapor frozen in the air and falling in flakes. vb to fall as snow, to cover as with snow. adj snowy | ||
| snow line (noun) | the level above which snow never melts. | ||
| snowball (noun) | snow pressed into a hard ball. | ||
| snowboard (noun) | a long wide board with bindings for the feet on which people slide down slopes. n snowboarding | ||
| snowbound (adjective) | shut in or blocked off by snow. | ||
| snowcap (noun) | a cap of snow, as on a mountain. | ||
| snowdrift (noun) | snow heaped up by the wind to form a bank. | ||
| snowdrop (noun) | a small white flower that grows in early spring. | ||
| snowfall (noun) | a falling of snow. | ||
| snowflake (noun) | a single piece of snow. | ||
| snowmobile (noun) | a motor vehicle for traveling over snow, usually with steerable runners and tractor treads. | ||
| snowplow (noun), | also snowplough (British spelling) an implement for clearing snow from roads or railways. | ||
| snowshoe (noun) | a light, broad frame worn on the feet for walking on snow. | ||
| snub (verb) | (snubbed , snubbing ) to show dislike or disapproval of a person by taking no notice of or speaking rudely to him or her (they snubbed her when she tried to be friendly to them). n rude lack of notice; an unfriendly act or speech. adj (of a nose) short and turned up. | ||
| snuff1 (verb) | to sniff powdered tobacco, etc, up the nose. n tobacco powdered for sniffing up the nose. | ||
| snuff2 (verb) | 1 to cut off the burnt part of the wick of a candle. 2 to put out a candle. n snuffer a tool used to put out a candle. | ||
| snuffbox (noun) | a box for carrying snuff in the pocket. | ||
| snuffle (verb) | 1 to make sniffing noises. 2 to speak through the nose (children with colds snuffling). | ||
| snug (adjective) | warm and comfortable, cosy (children snug in their beds/a snug room). | ||
| snuggle (verb) | to lie close for warmth, to settle comfortably (children snuggling under the blankets). | ||
| so (adverb) | 1 in this or that manner (do it so). 2 to that extent (so wet that we stayed in). 3 thus (she was tired and so left the party). 4 very (so happy). (conjunction) therefore (be quiet so I can think). | ||
| soak (verb) | 1 to wet thoroughly. 2 to steep (soak the stained clothing). 3 to suck up (blotting paper soaking up ink). | ||
| soap (noun) | 1 a substance made of oil or fat and certain chemicals, used in washing. 2 short for a soap opera. vb to rub with soap. adj soapy having to do with or containing soap (soapy water). | ||
| soap opera (noun) | a radio or television drama serial which deals with the day-to-day lives and problems of the same group of characters [originates from the soap-powder-selling sponsors of such shows in the 1950s in the United States]. | ||
| soapbox (noun) | 1 a box or crate for soap. 2 a platform used by a person making an informal speech to people on the street. | ||
| soar | Collective noun for kites (A soar of kites) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| soar (verb) | 1 to fly upward. 2 to tower up (mountains soaring high above the town). | ||
| sob (verb) | (sobbed , sobbing ) to draw in the breath noisily when weeping or short of breath. Also n. | ||
| sober (adjective) | 1 not drunk. 2 serious, quiet (a sober person). 3 dark in color (wear sober clothes to the funeral). | ||
| sobriety (noun) | the state of being sober. | ||
| so-called (adjective) | given a name or title to which a person has no right (a so-called lady). | ||
| soccer (noun) | a game played with a round ball by two teams of eleven players on a field with a goal at either end, the ball being moved by kicking; football | ||
| Soceraphobia | fear of parents-in-law (see list of phobias) | ||
| sociable (adjective) | fond of company (they are a very sociable couple). | ||
| social (adjective) | 1 having to do with society (social problems). 2 living in an organized group (social creatures). | ||
| social science (noun) | the study of people living together in groups, families, etc. | ||
| social security (noun) | a government program that pays money to people who are not working or who are unable to work. | ||
| social work (noun) | (sometimes cap) any service designed to advance the welfare of the community and the individual through counseling services, health clinics, playgrounds, etc. | ||
| socialism (noun) | the belief that all means of producing national wealth (e.g. mines, etc) are the property of the community and should be used for the benefit of all. n socialist a person who believes in socialism. | ||
| society (noun) | 1 a group of people living together in a single organized community. 2 a group of people who meet regularly for a special purpose, mixing with other people (a debating society). 3 the wealthy or high-ranking members of a community. | ||
| Sociobiology | study of biological basis of human behaviour (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Sociology | study of society (see list of branches of science) | ||
| sociology (noun) | the study of the nature, growth, and problems of human society. n sociologist adj sociological | ||
| Sociophobia | fear of society or social situations (see list of phobias) | ||
| sock (noun) | a short stocking, a cloth covering of the foot. | ||
| socket (noun) | a hole or hollow for something to fit into or turn in (an electric socket/an eye socket). | ||
| sod (noun) | a piece of earth held together by the roots of the grass growing in it. | ||
| soda (noun) | 1 a powder used in washing, baking, etc. 2 soda pop, a sweet, fizzy beverage. | ||
| soda water (noun) | water containing soda powder and made fizzy by gas. | ||
| sodden (adjective) | wet through, soaking (their sodden clothes). | ||
| sodium (noun) | an element found in salt, with chemical symbol Na. | ||
| Sodom | Collective noun for shepherds (A Sodom of shepherds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sofa (noun) | a couch with a cushioned seat, back, and arms. | ||
| sofa bed (noun) | a sofa that can be opened into a bed. | ||
| soft (adjective) | 1 not hard (soft cheese). 2 easily reshaped by pressing (a soft substance). 3 not loud (soft music). 4 (of color) not bright. 5 gentle (a soft breeze). 6 not strict (teachers who are too soft). 7 not alcoholic (soft drinks). 8 foolishly kind (Don’t be soft!). adv quietly, gently. | ||
| soft drink | a nonalcoholic drink, such as lemonade or cola. | ||
| softball (noun) | a kind of baseball played with underhand pitching, the ball used in this game similar to a baseball but larger. | ||
| soften (verb) | 1 to make or become soft. 2 to become less harsh or angry (her attitude softened). n softener something that softens. | ||
| software (noun) | the programs used in computers. | ||
| soggy (adjective) | soft and wet (soggy toast/soggy ground). | ||
| soil (noun) | the ground, earth, especially that in which plants are grown. vb to dirty, to spoil (the children were told not to soil their clothes in the mud by the river). | ||
| solace (verb) | to cheer, to comfort. n that which gives cheer or comfort (the widow found her child a solace). | ||
| solar (adjective) | having to do with the sun (solar power). | ||
| solar system (noun) | our sun and the planets that move around it. | ||
| solarium (noun) | a glassed-in porch, roof, etc where people sun themselves, as in treating illness. | ||
| sold (past tense) | and pp of sell. | ||
| solder (noun) | a metal alloy that when melted can be used for cementing together pieces of metal. vb to join with solder. | ||
| soldier (noun) | a person serving in an army. n soldiery a group of soldiers, the profession of being a soldier. | ||
| sole1 (noun) | the underside of the foot, stocking, or shoe (his boots had leather soles). vb to put a sole on (a shoe). | ||
| sole2 (noun) | a small flatfish. | ||
| sole3 (adjective) | only, single (his sole objection). adv solely | ||
| solemn (adjective) | 1 serious in manner or appearance (a solemn child). 2 slow, stately (a solemn meeting). | ||
| solemnity (noun) | seriousness (the church service was conducted with due solemnity). | ||
| sol-fa (noun) | the use of the sounds doh, ray, me, fah, soh, lah, te in singing the scale. Also adj. | ||
| solicit (verb) | to ask earnestly or repeatedly (soliciting a loan). n solicitation | ||
| solid (adjective) | 1 not hollow, consisting of hard matter throughout (solid pieces of metal). 2 not liquid or gaseous (solid substances). 3 firm (solid flesh). 4 reliable (a solid citizen). n a body consisting of hard matter throughout. | ||
| Solid mechanics | study of behaviour of solid materials (see list of branches of science) | ||
| solidarity (noun) | sameness of interests, complete unity (workers joined by solidarity). | ||
| solidify (verb) | to make or become solid (water solidified in the pipes). | ||
| soliloquy (noun) | (formal) a speaking to oneself (the actor’s soliloquy ended the first act). | ||
| solitaire (noun) | 1 a single diamond or other gem set by itself in a ring. 2 a game for one player. | ||
| solitary (adjective) | 1 alone, without companions (solitary travelers/a solitary tree). 2 living or being alone by habit or preference (solitary people). 3 single (I can’t think of a solitary reason). n a person who lives alone and away from others. | ||
| solitude (noun) | loneliness, being alone, a lonely place. | ||
| solo (noun) | 1 a piece of music for a single performer. 2 a performance by one person (a piano solo). 3 a single person’s unaccompanied flight in an aiplane. | ||
| soloist (noun) | a solo singer or performer. | ||
| solstice (noun) | the time when the sun is farthest north (21st June) or south (21st December), giving in the Northern Hemisphere the longest and shortest days respectively. | ||
| soluble (adjective) | 1 able to be melted or dissolved in liquid. 2 (formal) to which an answer or solution can be found (soluble problems). n solubility | ||
| solution (noun) | 1 a liquid containing another substance dissolved in it (a salty solution). 2 the answer to or explanation of a problem, etc (the solution to a crossword puzzle). | ||
| solvable (adjective) | that can be solved. | ||
| solve (verb) | to find the right answer to or explanation of (solving the problem/solved the puzzle). | ||
| solvent (adjective) | 1 able to pay your debts (firms that are scarcely solvent). 2 able to dissolve. n a liquid able to dissolve another substance (get some solvent to remove the grease from his shirt). | ||
| Somatology | study of substances (see list of branches of science) | ||
| somber (adjective) also sombre (British spelling) | dark, gloomy, cheerless (somber colors/in a somber mood). | ||
| sombrero (noun) | a broad-brimmed felt or straw hat. | ||
| some (adjective) | a certain number or amount (of). pron 1 certain people (some would not agree). 2 a little (have some). n and pron someone , something | ||
| somebody (noun) | and pron 1 some person. 2 a person of importance. | ||
| somehow (adverb) | in some way or other (we’ll get there somehow). | ||
| somersault (noun) | a leap or roll in which the heels turn completely over the head. | ||
| sometime (adjective) | (formal) former (his sometime teacher). | ||
| sometimes (adverb) | now and then. | ||
| somewhat (adverb) | in some degree, a little (somewhat annoyed). | ||
| somewhere (adverb) | in some place (they have to live somewhere). | ||
| Somniphobia | fear of sleep (see list of phobias) | ||
| son (noun) | a male child. | ||
| sonar (noun) | a machine that finds objects underwater by reflecting sound waves. | ||
| sonata (noun) | a piece of music in several movements, usually for a solo instrument. | ||
| song (noun) | 1 words set to music for the voice. 2 the sounds uttered by a bird. 3 a short poem, poetry. | ||
| songbird (noun) | a bird that sings or a woman who sings. | ||
| songbook (noun) | a book containing a collection of songs, both the words and the notes. | ||
| sonic (adjective) | of or having to do with sound. | ||
| son-in-law (noun) | the man married to a person’s daughter. | ||
| sonnet (noun) | a poem of fourteen lines, usually following fixed rhyming patterns. n sonneteer a person who writes sonnets. | ||
| soon (adverb) | 1 in a short time (they’ll be here soon). 2 early (it’s too soon to know). 3 willingly (I would just as soon go). | ||
| soot (noun) | black particles that rise with the smoke from burning matter. | ||
| sooth (adjective) | true or real, fact. | ||
| soothe (verb) | to calm, to comfort (soothing the baby/soothe the pain). | ||
| sooty (adjective) | 1 like soot. 2 black (a sooty cat). | ||
| Sophiology | study of ideas (see list of branches of science) | ||
| sophisticated (adjective) | 1 (formal) not natural. 2 having a great deal of experience and wordly wisdom, knowledge of how to dress elegantly, etc. n sophistication vb sophisticate | ||
| sophomore (noun) | a student in the second year of college or the tenth grade in high school. | ||
| Sophophobia | fear of learning (see list of phobias) | ||
| soporific (adjective) | (formal) causing sleep. n a drug that causes sleep. | ||
| soppy (adjective) | 1 wet through. 2 foolishly sentimental (soppy love songs). | ||
| soprano (noun) | 1 the highest female or boy’s singing voice. 2 a singer with such a voice. | ||
| sorbet (noun) | a tart ice, as of fruit juice, served as a dessert or sometimes between meals. | ||
| sorcerer (noun) | a person who works magic. f sorceress | ||
| sorcery (noun) | magic, witchcraft. | ||
| sord | Collective noun for mallards (A sord of mallards) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sordid (adjective) | mean, dirty, disgusting (a sordid neighborhood/a sordid crime). | ||
| sore (adjective) | painful, hurtful (sore legs). n a painful cut or growth on the body (people with bed sores). | ||
| sorely (adverb) | 1 very much. 2 painfully. | ||
| sorority (noun) | a group of women or girls joined together by common interests, for fellowship, etc. | ||
| sorrel (noun) | 1 a plant with sour-tasting leaves. 2 a reddish brown color. 3 a horse of that color. | ||
| sorrow (noun) | sadness caused by loss or suffering, grief (her sorrow at the death of her friend). vb to mourn, to grieve. adj sorrowful | ||
| sorry (adjective) | 1 feeling pity or regret, sad because of wrongdoing (sorry for what he had done). 2 wretched (a sorry sight). | ||
| sort (noun) | a kind, class, or set. vb to arrange in classes or sets (sorting the library books). out of sorts not well. | ||
| Soteriology | study of theological salvation (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Soteriophobia | fear of dependence on others (see list of phobias) | ||
| soufflé | Collective noun for clouds (A soufflé of clouds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| soufflé (noun) | a light dish made from beaten whites of eggs (a cheese soufflé). | ||
| sought | past participle of seek. | ||
| soul (noun) | 1 the spiritual part of a person. 2 (informal) a person (poor souls). 3 a kind of rhythm and blues music. | ||
| soul mate (noun) | a person with whom a person has a deeply personal relationship. | ||
| soulful (adjective) | full of feeling (soulful music). | ||
| soulless (adjective) | 1 without soul; without spirit (I thought the actor’s performance was soulless). 2 mean-spirited. | ||
| sound1 (adjective) | 1 healthy (sound in mind and body). 2 strong (sound reasons for going). 3 without serious error or weakness (his work is quite sound). adv completely. | ||
| sound2 (noun) | 1 a noise. 2 that which is heard. vb 1 to make a noise (alarms sounding). 2 to touch or strike so as to cause a noise (sound the dinner bell). | ||
| sound3 (noun) | a long narrow piece of water between two land masses, a strait. vb 1 to find depth by lowering a lead weight on a cord. 2 to try to discover someone’s opinion by questioning (sound out his views on the new project). | ||
| sounder | Collective noun for hogs (A sounder of hogs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sounder | Collective noun for swine (A sounder of swine) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sounder | Collective noun for warthogs (A sounder of warthogs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sounder | Collective noun for wild boars (A sounder of wild boars) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| soundproof (adjective) | that keeps sound from coming through. | ||
| soundtrack (noun) | the part of a film on which sounds are recorded. | ||
| soup (noun) | a liquid food made by boiling meat, vegetables, etc together (chicken noodle soup). adj soupy | ||
| soupçon | Collective noun for chefs (A soupçon of chefs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sour (adjective) | 1 sharp or bitter in taste (the sour taste of lemons). 2 ill-tempered and hard to please (a sour old man complaining about the child’s crying). vb to make sour. | ||
| source (noun) | 1 that from which anything begins. 2 the spring from which a river flows. 3 origin or cause. | ||
| sousaphone (noun) | a brass instrument of the tuba family. | ||
| south (noun) | 1 one of the main points of the compass, opposite north. adj being in the south, facing south. Also adv. adj southward , southbound | ||
| South Pole (noun) | the place on earth that is the absolutely farthest south. | ||
| southeast (noun) | the point midway between south and east. Also adj. adj southeasterly , southeastern , southeastward | ||
| southerly (adjective) | lying toward or coming from the south (southerly winds). | ||
| southern (adjective) | in or of the south (the southern part of the country). n Southerner a person living in or coming from the south of any specified region. | ||
| Southern Hemisphere (noun) | the half of the earth south of the equator. | ||
| southernmost (adjective) | farthest south. | ||
| south-southeast (noun) | the direction halfway between south and southeast. | ||
| south-southwest (noun) | the direction halfway between south and southwest. | ||
| southwest (noun) | the point midway between south and west. Also adj. adj southwesterly , southwestern , southwestward | ||
| souvenir (noun) | an object kept to remind a person of another person or past event (a souvenir of their vacation). | ||
| sovereign (adjective) | above all others, chief. n ruler, a king or queen. | ||
| sovereignty (noun) | supreme power. | ||
| sow1 (noun) | a female pig (sows with their piglets). | ||
| sow2 (verb) | (pp sown ) 1 to scatter (sow seeds). 2 to plant with seeds (sow a new lawn). | ||
| soy sauce (noun) | a dark, salty sauce made from soybeans and generally used in Chinese and Japanese dishes. | ||
| soybean (noun) | a type of bean used for making flour or oil, as fodder for cattle, and in food that is free of meat or dairy products, e.g. soy milk. | ||
| spa (noun) | a place at which natural mineral waters may be drunk for the health, a health resort at a mineral spring. | ||
| space (noun) | 1 the whole extent of the universe not occupied by solid bodies. 2 the distance between one body or object and another. 3 the place occupied by a person or thing. 4 a length of time (in the space of a year). vb to arrange with intervals between (spacing the new trees out across the field). | ||
| spacecraft (noun) | a vehicle used for space travel. | ||
| Spacephobia | fear of outer space (see list of phobias) | ||
| spaceship (noun) | a spacecraft in which people travel (we watched the spaceship being launched). | ||
| spacing (noun) | the arrangement of spaces. | ||
| spacious (adjective) | roomy, having or giving more than enough room (spacious cars). | ||
| spade (noun) | 1 a tool with a broad blade, used for digging. 2 pl a suit of playing cards. call a spade a spade to say exactly what a person thinks. | ||
| spadework (noun) | the hard work needed to start an enterprise (do all the spadework when they opened the office). | ||
| spaetzle (noun) | egg noodles or dumplings. | ||
| spaghetti (noun) | long thin tubes of pasta (spaghetti with tomato sauce). | ||
| span (noun) | 1 the distance between the tip of the thumb and the little finger fully extended (about 9 inches [23 cm] in an adult). 2 the spread of an arch. 3 the distance from end to end of a bridge. 4 a space of time (a span of five years). 5 a number of horses or oxen yoked together to draw a cart, etc. vb (spanned , spanning ) 1 to extend from one point in space or time to another (his employment with the company spans ten years). 2 to measure with outstretched fingers. | ||
| spangle (noun) | a small, glittering metal ornament. | ||
| spaniel (noun) | a sporting or pet dog with long silky hair and drooping ears. | ||
| spank1 (verb) | to slap with the hand (she did not believe it was right to spank a child). Also n. | ||
| spank2 (verb) | to move along quickly (the pony was fairly spanking along the track). | ||
| spar1 (noun) | 1 a long piece of wood. 2 a pole attached to the mast, used for holding sails in position. | ||
| spar2 (verb) | (sparred , sparring ) to box, to fight with the fists, to argue. | ||
| spare (adjective) | 1 scarce. 2 thin. 3 more than is needed, kept in reserve. vb 1 to let off punishment or suffering, to show mercy to. 2 to do without. 3 to use up slowly and carefully. n an item kept in case another like it gets broken, lost, etc. | ||
| spare ribs (noun) | a cut of meat, especially pork, consisting of the thin end of the ribs with most of the meat cut away. | ||
| spark (noun) | 1 a tiny piece of burning matter. 2 a tiny flash made by electricity passing from one wire to another. 3 a bright or clever young person. vb to give off sparks. adj sparky | ||
| spark plug (noun) | a device for causing an electric spark to ignite the gas that drives an engine. | ||
| sparkle (verb) | 1 to throw off sparks, to gleam or shine in flashes, to glitter or glisten. 2 to be lively and intelligent. Also n. n sparkler someone or something that sparkles. | ||
| sparrow (noun) | a common small bird. | ||
| sparse (adjective) | 1 thinly scattered (sparse vegetation). 2 scanty, scarcely enough. n sparsity | ||
| spasm (noun) | 1 a sudden movement of the body not done on purpose, caused by a tightening of muscles, as in cramp or a fit (a muscle spasm). 2 a feeling or activity that does not last long (a spasm of coughing). | ||
| spasmodic (adjective) | done occasionally for short periods (spasmodic coughing). | ||
| spat (noun) | a brief, petty quarrel. | ||
| spatial (adjective) | (formal) having to do with space (spatial problems). | ||
| spatter (verb) | to throw or scatter (liquid, mud, etc) in drops, to splash (cars spattering people with mud). | ||
| spatula (noun) | a broad thin blade used in spreading or scraping plaster, paint, ointment, food, etc (a spatula for turning eggs in the pan). | ||
| spawn (noun) | the eggs of fish, frogs, etc. vb 1 to produce spawn. 2 to produce, usually in large numbers (the project spawned a lot of new committees). | ||
| speak (verb) | (pt spoke , pp spoken ) 1 to utter words, to talk (children learning to speak). 2 to make a speech (speak after dinner). 3 to pronounce. | ||
| speaker (noun) | 1 a person who speaks. 2 the presiding officer of a legislative assembly. 3 short for a loudspeaker. | ||
| spear (noun) | a weapon with a long straight handle and a pointed metal head. vb to pierce with a spear. | ||
| spearhead (noun) | 1 the pointed head of a spear. 2 the leading person in a military attack. | ||
| special (adjective) | 1 having to do with one particular thing, person, or occasion (a special tool for the job). 2 not common or usual, distinctive (a special occasion). n specialty adv specially in a special manner. | ||
| specialist (noun) | a person who makes a particular study of one subject or of one branch of a subject (a cookery specialist/a specialist in internal medicine). | ||
| specialize (verb), | also specialise (British spelling) to make a particular study of (usually one subject) (a doctor specializing in skin disorders). | ||
| specialty (noun), | also speciality (British spelling) 1 a special field of work or study (cosmetic surgery is his specialty). 2 something made or sold only by a certain trader (the specialty of the house). | ||
| species (noun) | kind, sort, a group of things (e.g. plants, animals) with certain features in common (there are many different species in the zoo). | ||
| specific (adjective) | 1 definite (something specific he wants to ask). 2 exact (specific instructions). 3 particular (a specific tool for the job). n 1 (sometimes pl) a designated quality or thing. 2 any drug used to treat a particular disease. | ||
| specification (noun) | an exact statement of the details of a piece of work to be done (measurements, materials to be used, etc) (the specifications for the new factory). | ||
| specify (verb) | to state exactly or in detail. | ||
| specimen (noun) | a sample, a part taken as an example of the whole (take a blood specimen). | ||
| speck (noun) | a tiny particle, spot, or stain. | ||
| speckle (noun) | a small spot on a differently colored background. | ||
| speckled (adjective) | marked with speckles (the speckled breast of the bird). | ||
| specs (noun, plural) | 1 short for spectacles. 2 short for specifications. | ||
| spectacle | Collective noun for ophthalmologists (A spectacle of ophthalmologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| spectacle (noun) | 1 something worth looking at, a wonderful or magnificent sight (crowds gathering to see the spectacle of the military parade). 2 pl glasses worn in front of the eyes to assist the eyesight. | ||
| spectacular (adjective) | 1 magnificent, wonderful, or splendid to look at (a spectacular parade). 2 impressive, dramatic (a spectacular change in his appearance). | ||
| spectator (noun) | a person who looks on. vb spectate to be a spectator at an event. | ||
| specter (noun), | also spectre (British spelling) a ghost. | ||
| spectral (adjective) | ghostly (spectral figures). | ||
| Spectrology | study of ghosts (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Spectrophobia | fear of mirrors (see list of phobias) | ||
| Spectroscopy | study of spectra (see list of branches of science) | ||
| spectrum (noun) | a band of colors, as in a rainbow, produced by passing light through a prism. | ||
| speculate (verb) | 1 to think about, to guess without having the necessary facts (speculating on his reasons for leaving). 2 to buy shares in the hope of selling them later at a profit. | ||
| speculation (noun) | 1 act of speculating. 2 a guess or theory (some speculation that they were getting married). | ||
| speculative (adjective) | 1 risky (a speculative venture). 2 hesitant, uncertain. 3 given to trying to think out the reasons for things (some speculative thinking). | ||
| speculator (noun) | a person who buys things (especially of uncertain value) in the hope of making a large profit on them. | ||
| speech (noun) | 1 the ability to speak. 2 a talk given in public (an after-dinner speech). | ||
| speechless (adjective) | unable to speak for love, surprise, fear, etc (speechless with rage). | ||
| speed (noun) | 1 quickness of movement (the speed of the car). 2 haste (move with speed). vb (pt, pp sped ) 1 to go fast. 2 to drive a car, truck, etc, very fast, often illegally fast. | ||
| speedboat (noun) | a motorboat built for speed. | ||
| speedometer (noun) | a tool to show how fast a car, motorcycle, etc, is traveling. | ||
| speedwell (noun) | a plant with small blue flowers. | ||
| speedy (adjective) | fast, quick-moving (seek a speedy end to the strike). | ||
| Speleology | study and exploration of caves (see list of branches of science) | ||
| spell1 (verb) | (pt, pp spelt or spelled ) to say or write the letters of a word in order. n speller a person who spells words (a poor speller). n spelling the act of a person who spells. | ||
| spell2 (noun) | certain words uttered in order to make something happen by magic; a charm, a strange or magical power. | ||
| spell3 (noun) | 1 a length of time (spells of bad weather). 2 a turn at doing work (a spell at digging the garden). | ||
| spellbound (adjective) | fascinated, made still by wonder or magic. vb spellbind | ||
| spell-checker (noun) | a computer program that checks a document for misspelled words. | ||
| spelling bee (noun) | a spelling contest. | ||
| spelunker (noun) | a person who explores caves as a hobby. n spelunking | ||
| spend (verb) | (pt, pp spent ) 1 to pay out (money). 2 to use or use up. 3 to pass (time). | ||
| spender (noun) | a person who spends, especially someone who spends too much. | ||
| spendthrift (noun) | a person who spends money wastefully and carelessly. | ||
| spent (adjective) | 1 tired out (spent after the day’s work). 2 used up (spent energy). | ||
| sperm (noun) | a male reproductive cell. | ||
| sperm whale (noun) | a large toothed whale. | ||
| Spermatophobia | fear of germs (see list of phobias) | ||
| Spermology | study of seeds (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Spermophobia | fear of germs (see list of phobias) | ||
| spew (verb) | 1 (informal) to vomit. 2 to come out in a flood (lava spewed out of the volcano). | ||
| Sphagnology | study of peat moss (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Spheksophobia | fear of wasps (see list of phobias) | ||
| sphere (noun) | 1 a ball. 2 a sun, star, or planet. 3 the extent of a person’s work, knowledge, influence, etc (in the sphere of television). | ||
| spherical (adjective) | round like a sphere. | ||
| sphinx (noun) | a winged mythical monster, half woman, half lion. | ||
| Sphygmology | study of the pulse (see list of branches of science) | ||
| spice (noun) | 1 a sharp-tasting substance used to flavor food (add spices to the sauce). 2 something exciting or interesting (add a bit of spice to life). vb to flavor with spice, etc. | ||
| spicy (adjective) | 1 sharp-tasting (spicy food). 2 lively and witty (spicy stories). | ||
| spider (noun) | an eight-legged creature that spins a web to catch insects for food. | ||
| spidery (adjective) | like a spider, long and thin like a spider’s legs. | ||
| spike (noun) | 1 a short piece of pointed metal, a large nail (spikes along the top of the wall to keep people out). 2 an ear of corn. 3 many small flowers forming a single head along a stalk. vb 1 to fasten with spikes. 2 to pierce with a spike. 3 to put a gun out of action by driving a spike into it. | ||
| spiky (adjective) | having spikes, shaped like a spike (the porcupine is spiky). | ||
| spill | Collective noun for busboys (A spill of busboys) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| spill over (verb) | to overflow. | ||
| spill1 (verb) | (pt, pp spilled or spilt ) to let run out or overflow (spill the tea as she pours it). n 1 a fall. 2 something spilled. | ||
| spill2 (noun) | a thin strip of wood or twisted paper for lighting cigarettes, candles, etc. | ||
| spillage (noun) | the thing that is spilled. | ||
| spillover (noun) | 1 the act of spilling over. 2 the excess part of something. | ||
| spin (verb) | (spun , spinning ) 1 to draw out (wool, cotton, etc) and twist into threads. 2 to turn quickly around one point (she spun round to face him). 3 (informal) to make up (spin a yarn about being attacked). n 1 a short or rapid trip. 2 a dive made by an airplane as it turns around at the same time. | ||
| spinach (noun) | a vegetable whose leaves are eaten as food. | ||
| spinal (adjective) | having to do with the spine (spinal injuries). | ||
| spinal cord (noun) | the thick cord of nerves that runs down the spine. | ||
| spindle (noun) | in a spinning machine, the bar onto which the newly made thread is wound. | ||
| spindly (adjective) | very long and thin (spindly legs). | ||
| spine (noun) | 1 the backbone. 2 a pointed spike on an animal or fish. 3 a thorn. | ||
| spineless (adjective) | 1 having no spine. 2 weak, lacking courage or willpower (too spineless to stand up for himself). | ||
| spine-tingling (adjective) | very moving, thrilling, or terrifying. | ||
| spinning (noun) | 1 the act of making thread or yarn. 2 the act of fishing with a certain kind of rod. adj that spins or is used in spinning. | ||
| spinning wheel (noun) | a home spinning machine operated by a wheel driven by a pedal. | ||
| spinster (noun) | 1 a woman who spins thread or yarn. 2 a woman who has never been married. | ||
| spiny (adjective) | full of prickles or thorns (spiny bushes). | ||
| spiral (adjective) | winding around like the thread of a screw (a spiral staircase). Also n. | ||
| spire (noun) | a tall tower, tapering to a pointed top. | ||
| spirit level (noun) | short for level, sense 2. | ||
| spirit1 (noun) | 1 the soul. 2 a ghost. 3 courage, liveliness (sing with spirit). 4 mood (the spirit of the times). 5 the intention (the spirit, not the letter, of the law). vb to carry off in a mysterious way (the documents were spirited away). | ||
| spirit2 (noun) | any distilled alcoholic liquor, such as brandy, rum, gin. | ||
| spirited (adjective) | 1 lively (a spirited musical performance). 2 showing courage (a spirited defense). | ||
| spiritless (adjective) | without courage or liveliness. | ||
| spiritual (adjective) | 1 having to do with the soul or spirit (the children’s spiritual welfare). 2 religious, holy. n an American religious song, originating among Afro-Americans in the south of the country in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, combining African and European styles of music. | ||
| spiritualism (noun) | 1 the belief that it is possible to communicate with the souls of the dead through mediums. 2 the belief that the soul or spirit only has real existence. n spiritualist | ||
| spirituality (noun) | concern with religion and matters of the soul. | ||
| spit1 (noun) | 1 a long metal rod on which meat is roasted over a fire (a pig turning on a spit). 2 a long piece of low land running out into the sea. vb (spitted , spitting ) to put on a spit; to pierce. | ||
| spit2 (verb) | (spat , spitting ) 1 to blow from the mouth (spit out chewing gum). 2 to blow saliva out of the mouth (he spat on the pavement). n a quantity of saliva put out of the mouth. | ||
| spite | Collective noun for prima donnas (A spite of prima donnas) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| spite (noun) | ill-feeling against another, a desire to hurt or harm another (she acted out of spite when she broke her sister’s favorite ornament). in spite of without paying attention to (she got the job in spite of her lack of qualifications). | ||
| spiteful (adjective) | desiring or intended to hurt or harm another (a spiteful person/a spiteful action). | ||
| spitfire (noun) | a quick-tempered person. | ||
| Splanchnology | study of the entrails or viscera (see list of branches of science) | ||
| splash | Collective noun for puddles (A splash of puddles) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| splash (verb) | to throw or scatter drops of mud or liquid onto (splash bath oil into the water/the car splashed rainwater all over her new shoes). n 1 act of splashing. 2 the sound made by a body striking water. 3 a spot of mud or liquid (splashes on her white dress). | ||
| splashback (noun) | a sheet of glass, plastic, etc, attached to a wall above a basin or kitchen worktop to protect the wall against splashing. | ||
| splashdown (noun) | a spacecraft’s soft landing in the sea. | ||
| splat (noun) | a wet, slapping sound. | ||
| splatter (noun) | spatter or splash. Also vb. | ||
| splay (verb) | to slope or turn outwards. adj (of feet) turned outwards and flat. | ||
| spleen (noun) | 1 an organ near the stomach that helps purify the blood. 2 ill-temper, gloom (vent his spleen on his colleagues). | ||
| splendid (adjective) | 1 bright, shining, brilliant (a splendid palace). 2 excellent (a splendid performance). | ||
| splendor (noun), | also splendour (British spelling) brightness; magnificence. | ||
| splice (verb) | 1 to join the ends of two ropes together by interweaving their strands. 2 to fit one piece of wood into another so as to join them. n a joint so made. | ||
| splint (noun) | a piece of wood to keep a broken bone in position (the ambulance driver put a splint on the injured man’s leg). | ||
| splinter (noun) | a very thin sharp-edged or pointed piece of glass, wood, metal, etc, broken off a larger piece. vb to break into small pieces (the shop window splintered). | ||
| split | Collective noun for debtors (A split of debtors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| split (verb) | (split, splitting ) 1 to cut or break from end to end. 2 to separate into parts or smaller groups (split the class into teams). n 1 a long break or crack (a split in the wood). 2 a division (a split in the committee). 3 pl the trick of going down upright on the ground with the legs spread out at each side at right angles to the body. | ||
| splurge | Collective noun for sponsors (A splurge of sponsors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| splurge (noun) | a bout of extravagant or unrestrained spending of money, often by way of treating oneself. vb to spend money extravagantly. | ||
| splutter (verb) | 1 to utter confused, indistinct sounds (spluttering in rage). 2 to make a spitting noise (the candle spluttered). Also n. | ||
| spoil (verb) | (pt, pp spoiled or spoilt ) 1 to make or become useless or unpleasant (food spoiling in the heat/spoil his chances of getting the job). 2 to rob, to plunder. 3 to harm someone’s character by always allowing him or her his or her own way (spoil the children). n things stolen or taken by force. | ||
| spoiler (noun) | a person or thing that spoils. | ||
| spoilsport (noun) | a person who spoils the pleasure of others. | ||
| spoke (noun) | one of the bars running from the hub to the rim of a wheel. | ||
| spokesman , spokeswoman , spokesperson (noun) | a person who speaks for others (the workers elected a spokesperson to talk to management). | ||
| sponge (noun) | 1 a type of sea animal. 2 a kind of light, absorbent washcloth made from or to be like the soft frame of a sponge (a child’s sponge in the shape of a bear). 3 one who lives on the money or favors of another. vb 1 to wipe with a sponge. 2 to live on the money or favors of another (sponging on his friends). | ||
| spongecake (noun) (British spelling) | see angel food cake. | ||
| Spongology | study of sponges (see list of branches of science) | ||
| spongy (adjective) | soft and absorbent; soft, squishy. | ||
| sponsor (noun) | 1 a person who introduces someone or something and takes responsibility for it (the sponsor of a new law). 2 a business that pays for an event, show, etc, in return for advertising. 3 a person who agrees to pay someone money for charity if he or she completes a specified activity. 4 a godfather or godmother. vb 1 to put forward and support (sponsor the new bill). 2 act as a sponsor (a soft-drinks firm sponsoring the football match/sponsor the child in a charity swim). | ||
| spontaneous (adjective) | 1 done willingly. 2 not caused by an outside agency. 3 done without previous thought. n spontaneity | ||
| spoof (noun) | 1 a humorous imitation of a serious book, film, etc. 2 a prank. | ||
| spook (noun) | (informal) a ghost. | ||
| spooky (adjective) | of, like, or suggesting a spook; eerie; easily fearful. | ||
| spool (noun) | a reel on which thread, film, etc, may be wound. | ||
| spoon (noun) | 1 a domestic tool consisting of a shallow bowl and a handle, used in cooking, eating, or feeding. 2 a wooden golf club. vb to lift or scoop with a spoon. | ||
| spoonful (noun) | the amount that a spoon contains. | ||
| spore (noun) | the seed of a flowerless plant. | ||
| sport (noun) | 1 outdoor or athletic indoor games in which certain rules are obeyed (children interested in sport). 2 one of these games (sports such as football and swimming). 3 (formal) something done for fun or amusement (hunt the deer for sport). 4 (formal) a person fond of fun or amusement. vb to play, to have fun. | ||
| sporting (adjective) | 1 fond of sports. 2 used in sport (sporting equipment). 3 fair minded and generous, especially in sports (it was sporting of him to admit the ball was out). | ||
| sportsman , sportswoman , sportsperson (noun) | 1 a person who takes part in a sport. 2 a person who likes to see every person or group given an equal chance of success. adj sportsman-like | ||
| sportsmanship (noun) | the spirit of fair play. | ||
| sportswear (noun) | the clothing made for and worn while playing sports. | ||
| spot (noun) | 1 a small mark, stain, or blot (a black spot on her new dress). 2 a tiny piece. 3 the exact place where something happened (X marks the spot). 4 a pimple. vb (spotted , spotting ) 1 to stain. 2 to see or catch sight of. | ||
| spotless (adjective) | unmarked, very clean (a spotless floor). | ||
| spotlight (noun) | a strong beam of light shone on a particular person or place. | ||
| spotty (adjective) | 1 covered with spots. 2 irregular, uneven. | ||
| spouse (noun) | a husband or wife. | ||
| spout (noun) | 1 a long tube sticking out from a pot, jug, pipe, etc, through which liquid can flow (the spout of the teapot). 2 a jet or gush of liquid. vb 1 to gush or make to gush in a jet. 2 (informal) to talk at length (spouting on about his vacation). | ||
| sprain (noun) | the painful twisting of a joint in the body, causing damage to muscles or ligaments. vb to twist a joint in such a way (sprain her ankle). | ||
| sprawl | Collective noun for malls (A sprawl of malls) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sprawl (verb) | 1 to sit or lie with the limbs spread out awkwardly. 2 to be spread out untidily (towns sprawled along the seashore). | ||
| spray1 (noun) | 1 a twig or stem with several leaves or flowers growing out from it (a spray of cherry blossom). 2 an arrangement of flowers (a bridal spray). | ||
| spray2 (noun) | 1 a cloud of small drops of liquid moving through the air. 2 liquid to be sprayed under pressure. 3 a can or container holding this. vb to sprinkle with fine drops of liquid (sprayed the roses with insecticide). | ||
| spread | Collective noun for nymphomaniacs (A spread of nymphomaniacs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| spread | Collective noun for sticklebacks (A spread of sticklebacks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| spread (verb) | (pt, pp spread) 1 to lay out over an area (spread butter on bread). 2 to grow bigger, so covering more space (towns spreading rapidly). 3 to make or become more widely known or believed (spread the information). 4 to affect more people (the disease is spreading). n 1 an area covered, extent. 2 a good meal, a feast (she always has a great spread at Christmas). | ||
| spreader (noun) | a person or thing that spreads. | ||
| spreadsheet (noun) | a computer program that organizes information. | ||
| spree (noun) | a bout of over-indulgence, especially in terms of drinking or spending a lot of money (a shopping spree). | ||
| sprig | Collective noun for vegetarians (A sprig of vegetarians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sprig (noun) | 1 a small shoot or twig (a sprig of cherry blossom). 2 a small nail without a head. | ||
| sprightly (adjective) | lively (people sprightly for their age). n sprightliness | ||
| spring | Collective noun for teals (A spring of teals) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| spring (verb) | (pt sprang , pp sprung ) 1 to jump. 2 to flow up from under the ground. 3 to be caused by (his lack of confidence sprang from his unhappy childhood). 4 to suddenly appear or or develop. 5 to cause (a mine) to explode. n 1 a jump. 2 a piece or coil of metal that after being compressed returns to its earlier shape or position. 3 water flowing up from under the ground (hot springs). 4 the season following winter when plants begin to grow again. spring a leak to have a hole through which water can come in. spring a surprise to give a surprise. | ||
| spring tide | the high tide at the time of a new moon and a full moon. | ||
| springboard (noun) | a springy board for jumping or diving from (the springboard at the swimming pool). | ||
| spring-cleaning (noun) | a thorough cleaning of the entire house, as is sometimes done in the spring. | ||
| springtime (noun) | the season of spring. | ||
| springy (adjective) | 1 having elasticity, having a light bounciness. 2 light on the feet. | ||
| sprinkle (verb) | to scatter in small drops or tiny pieces (sprinkling water on flowers). | ||
| sprinkler (noun) | a person or thing that sprinkles (the sprinkler waters the lawn). | ||
| sprinkling | Collective noun for gardeners (A sprinkling of gardeners) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sprinkling (noun) | a very small number or quantity (a sprinkling of snow). | ||
| sprint (verb) | to run as fast as possible for a short distance. n 1 a short foot race. 2 a short fast run (a sprint for the bus). | ||
| sprite (noun) | an elf or fairy. | ||
| spritzer (noun) | a drink made of wine and soda water. | ||
| sprout (verb) | to begin to grow, to bud (bulbs sprouting). n a young plant, a shoot of a plant. | ||
| spruce1 (adjective) | neat, smart and tidy (look spruce for his job interview). | ||
| spruce2 (noun) | a type of fir tree, valued for its white timber. | ||
| spume (noun) | froth, foam. | ||
| spunk (noun) | (informal) courage, spirit, liveliness. adj spunky | ||
| spur (noun) | 1 a pointed instrument or spiked wheel attached to a horserider’s heel and dug into the horse’s side to make it move more quickly. 2 anything that urges on to greater effort (the promise of a good job acted as a spur to his studying). 3 the sharp point on the back of the legs of certain birds. 4 a ridge or line of hills running out at an angle from a larger hill or hills. vb (spurred , spurring ) 1 to prick with a spur. 2 to urge to greater effort. on the spur of the moment without previous thought; on impulse. | ||
| spurious (adjective) | false (a spurious interest in her opinions). | ||
| spurn (verb) | 1 to push away, as with the foot. 2 to refuse with scorn (spurn their offers of help). | ||
| spurt (verb) | to burst out in a jet. n 1 a gush of liquid. 2 a special effort. 3 a sudden short burst of extra speed (put on a spurt at the end of a race). | ||
| sputter (verb) | 1 to spit when speaking. 2 to throw out small drops of liquid. 3 to make spitting and hissing noises (sausages sputtering in the pan). | ||
| spy (noun) | 1 a person who tries to obtain secret information about a country on behalf of an enemy country. 2 a person who tries to find out another’s secrets (an industrial spy). vb 1 to catch sight of (she spied her friend in the distance). 2 to act as a spy. | ||
| spyglass (noun) | a small telescope. | ||
| squabble (verb) | to quarrel noisily over unimportant matters (children squabbling over their toys). Also n. | ||
| squad (noun) | a small party of soldiers or workers. | ||
| squadron | Collective noun for cavalry (A squadron of cavalry) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| squadron (noun) | 1 a group of warships under the one commander. 2 a group of twelve airplanes commanded by a squadron leader. 3 a unit of cavalry. | ||
| squalid (adjective) | dirty and unpleasant, wretched (squalid living conditions). | ||
| squall (verb) | to scream loudly (kept awake by a cat squalling). n 1 a loud scream. 2 a sudden violent gust of wind; a brief, violent windstorm. | ||
| squally (adjective) | gusty, stormy and windy (squally weather). | ||
| squalor (noun), | also squalour (British spelling) excessive dirt, filth, the condition of being squalid. | ||
| squander (verb) | to spend wastefully, to use up needlessly (squander her savings). | ||
| square (adjective) | 1 having four equal sides and four right angles. 2 forming a right angle. 3 just, fair (a square deal). 4 even, equal (the two teams are now square). n 1 a square figure. 2 an open space in a town with buildings on its four sides (a war monument in the town square). 3 the number obtained when a number is multiplied by itself. 4 an L- or T-shaped instrument for drawing right angles. vb 1 to make square. 2 to pay money due. 3 to bribe. 4 to multiply (a number) by itself. 5 to agree with. | ||
| square dance (noun) | a lively dance with various steps, figures, etc, in which the couples are grouped in a particular form. | ||
| square root (noun) | the number that must be multiplied by itself to obtain a given number (2 is the square root of 4). | ||
| squash | Collective noun for sermons (A squash of sermons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| squash1 (verb) | 1 to crush, to press or squeeze into pulp (squash fruit). 2 to speak sharply or rudely to someone to silence him or her (the speaker squashed the people who were shouting criticisms). n 1 a crowd, a crush. 2 a indoor game similar to tennis played with a rubber ball. | ||
| squash2 (noun) | a fruit of the gourd family eated as a vegetable (butternut squash). | ||
| squat (verb) | (squatted , squatting ) 1 to sit down on the heels. 2 to make one’s home on a piece of land or in a building to which one has no legal right. adj short and broad. | ||
| squatter (noun) | a person who settles on land or in a building without the legal right to do so. | ||
| squawk (verb) | to utter a harsh cry (parrots squawking). Also n. | ||
| squeak (verb) | to utter a short, high-pitched sound (mice squeaking). Also n. | ||
| squeal | Collective noun for nieces (A squeal of nieces) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| squeal (verb) | to cry with a sharp shrill voice. Also n. | ||
| squeamish (adjective) | 1 easily made sick, feeling sick (squeamish at the sight of blood). 2 easily shocked or upset. | ||
| squeeze (verb) | 1 to press from more than one side (squeezing oranges). 2 to hug. 3 to push through a narrow space (squeeze into the crowded hall). n 1 the act of squeezing. 2 a hug. 3 a tight fit. | ||
| squeezebox (noun) | an accordion or concertina. | ||
| squelch (verb) | to make a sucking noise, as when walking over sodden ground (squelch up the muddy road in boots). Also n. | ||
| squib (noun) | a small firework. | ||
| squid (noun) | a cuttlefish, a long slender sea creatures with eights arms and two tentacles. | ||
| squint | Collective noun for proofreaders (A squint of proofreaders) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| squint (verb) | 1 to look or peer with the eyes partly closed, as when the light is too strong. 2 to look sideways without turning the head. 3 to be cross-eyed. n 1 the act of looking with the eyes partly closed. 2 eyes looking in different directions. 3 (informal) a quick look (take a squint at the papers on the boss’s desk). | ||
| squire (noun) | (old) a person who accompanied and helped a knight. | ||
| squirm (verb) | to wriggle about, to move by wriggling (fish squirming in the nets/squirm with embarrassment). | ||
| squirrel (noun) | a small bushy-tailed animal living in trees. | ||
| squirt (verb) | to force or be forced out in a thin, fast stream (squirt water on the dry clothes). n 1 a jet. 2 an instrument for throwing out a jet of liquid. | ||
| squish (verb) | to squash. n the sound of something being squashed. | ||
| squishy (adjective) | making a squishing sound. | ||
| stab (verb) | (stabbed , stabbing ) to wound with a pointed weapon. n 1 a wound made with a pointed weapon. 2 a thrust with a dagger or pointed knife (kill him with one stab). 3 a sharp feeling (a stab of pain/a stab of fear). | ||
| stability (noun) | steadiness, security. | ||
| stabilize (verb), | also stabilise (British spelling) to make firm or steady. n stabilizer also stabiliser (British spelling) a thing that makes something firm or steady. | ||
| stable | Collective noun for prostitutes (A stable of prostitutes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| stable1 (noun) | a building or shelter for horses, cattle, etc. vb to keep in a stable. | ||
| stable2 (adjective) | 1 firm, secure, not easily moved, upset, or changed (stable shelves stable institutions). 2 likely to behave reasonably (he’s not very stable). | ||
| stablemate (noun) | any of the horses sharing a stable. | ||
| stabling (noun) | buildings available as stables. | ||
| staccato (adjective) | (music) , having each note sounded clearly and distinctly. Also n. | ||
| stack | Collective noun for newspapers (A stack of newspapers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| stack (noun) | 1 a large orderly pile of hay, wood, papers, etc. 2 a group of chimneys built in together. 3 a very tall chimney. vb to pile together. | ||
| stadium (noun) | (pl stadia or stadiums ) a large ground for sports and athletics. | ||
| staff | Collective noun for employees (A staff of employees) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| staff | Collective noun for teachers (A staff of teachers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| staff (noun) | 1 a stick or rod used as a support. 2 a stick as a sign of office. 3 the set of five parallel lines on and between which musical notes are written. 4 a group of officers chosen to assist a general. 5 any body of employees (the office staff). vb to provide with workers or employees (an office staffed mainly by women). | ||
| staff officer (noun) | a member of a general’s staff. | ||
| stag (noun) | a male red deer. | ||
| stage (noun) | 1 a raised platform for actors, performers, speakers, etc. 2 the theatre (she went on the stage). 3 a halting place. 4 the distance that may be traveled after paying a certain fare. 5 a certain point in development or progress (stages in the production process). vb to produce (a play) on a stage (staging Hamlet). | ||
| stage fright (noun) | the nervousness felt on appearing on the stage in public. | ||
| stagecoach (noun) | formerly, a horse-drawn coach providing a regular service for passengers. | ||
| stagger (verb) | 1 to walk unsteadily, to lurch to the side, to reel. 2 to amaze. 3 to arrange breaks, vacations, etc, so that they do not begin and end at the same times as those of others (stagger the staff’s lunch hours so that there are always people in the office). adj staggering | ||
| stagnant (adjective) | 1 not flowing and often dirty (stagnant water). 2 not developing or growing, inactive (a production process that remains stagnant). | ||
| stagnate (verb) | 1 to cease to flow. 2 to cease to develop or make progress. 3 to become dull. n stagnation | ||
| staid (adjective) | serious, steady, unwilling to move with the times. | ||
| stain (verb) | 1 to make dirty (stain their hands). 2 to change the color of (stain the table dark brown). 3 to make marks of a different color on. 4 to spoil, to disgrace (stain her reputation). n 1 a dirty mark or discoloration that cannot be removed. 2 a paint or dye. 3 disgrace. | ||
| stained glass (noun) | colored glass, held together by lead strips, used for church windows, decorations, lamp shades, etc. | ||
| stainless (adjective) | 1 not easily stained or rusted. 2 without fault or disgrace (a stainless reputation). | ||
| stair , staircase , stairway (noun) | a series of connected steps, usually with a railing, leading from one place to another on a different level (a dramatic spiral staircase led to the ballroom). | ||
| stairwell (noun) | a vertical shaft in a building that contains a staircase. | ||
| stake1 (noun) | 1 a stout piece of wood pointed at one end for driving into the ground. 2 formerly, the post to which was tied a person condemned to death by burning. vb to mark with stakes. | ||
| stake2 (noun) | the amount of money, or anything else of value, bet or risked. vb to bet (money), to risk. at stake able to be lost. | ||
| stalactite (noun) | a mass of mineral matter hanging like an icicle from the roof of a cave (caused by dripping water that gradually deposits the mineral). | ||
| stalagmite (noun) | a mass of mineral matter rising like a spike from the floor of a cave (caused by the drips of water coming off of the cave roof or of a stalactite). | ||
| stale (adjective) | 1 not fresh (stale bread). 2 not new (stale news). 3 uninteresting (a stale piece of writing). | ||
| stalemate (noun) | 1 in chess, a position from which neither player can win. 2 a situation or argument in which neither side can gain an advantage over the other (management and workers reached a stalemate on the subject of wages). | ||
| stalk | Collective noun for foresters (A stalk of foresters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| stalk1 (noun) | 1 the stem of a plant. 2 a tall chimney. adj stalky | ||
| stalk2 (verb) | 1 to walk holding oneself stiffly upright (stalk out of the room in anger). 2 to approach an animal quietly and without being seen when hunting it (stalking stags) 3 to follow someone around, often someone famous, regularly, and annoy or frighten him stock-ing stock-er/. | ||
| stall (noun) | 1 a division of a stable in which one animal is kept. 2 a counter on which goods are laid out for sale. 3 a small, sometimes temporary, shop set up in an open place. 4 a ground-floor seat in a theater. 5 a seat in the choir of a church. vb 1 (of an airplane) to lose speed and get out of control. 2 (of a motor car engine) to stop working (the car stalled at the traffic lights). 3 to avoid giving a direct answer (the politician stalled when he was asked about unemployment). | ||
| stallion (noun) | a male horse, especially one kept for breeding. | ||
| stamen (noun) | one of the little pollen-bearing stalks in the middle of a flower. | ||
| stamina (noun) | staying power, ability to endure (he does not have the stamina to have a full-time job). | ||
| stammer (verb) | to have difficulty in uttering the sounds at the beginning of words, sometimes attempting them several times before succeeding. n such difficulty in speaking. | ||
| stamp (verb) | 1 to strike the foot forcefully or noisily downwards. 2 to print a mark on (have his passport stamped). 3 to put a postage stamp on. n 1 a forceful or noisy downward movement of the foot. 2 a mark or paper affixed to a letter or package to show that postage has been paid. 3 a mark consisting of letters, numbers, a pattern, etc, printed on paper, cloth, coins, etc. 4 a machine for making such a mark. | ||
| stampede | Collective noun for philatelists (A stampede of philatelists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| stampede (noun) | a sudden panic-stricken rush of many people or animals. vb to take sudden flight (the buffaloes stampeded/people stampeding to get free tickets). | ||
| stance (noun) | the way a person or animal stands. | ||
| stand | Collective noun for flamingos (A stand of flamingos) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| stand (verb) | (pt, pp stood ) 1 to be upright on the feet, legs, or end (boys standing in the corner). 2 to rise up (she stood and left). 3 to set upright (stand the tables up). 4 to stop moving. 5 to stay motionless. 6 to be in a certain place (a house standing on the river bank). 7 to bear, to put up with (unable to stand the loud noise). 8 to become a candidate for election. n 1 a halt. 2 a small table, rack, etc, on which things may be placed or hung. 3 a structure with seats arranged in tiers for spectators (the stands at the football game). 4 a base or support on which an object may be placed upright (a stand for the statue). 5 resistance to an attack (take a stand against the enemy/take a stand against racism). stand by to support, to be ready to help (stood by their friend). stand down to withdraw. stand fast to remain firm. stand out 1 to be prominent or noticeable (the new building stands out in the old square). 2 to refuse to give in (stand out for a better deal). stand up to get to the feet. stand up for to defend. stand up to to resist. | ||
| standard (noun) | 1 a fixed measure. 2 an average level of accomplishment with which other work is compared (work below standard). 3 an upright post, etc, used for support. adj 1 fixed. 2 fixed by rule. 3 usual. 4 standing upright. | ||
| standardize (verb), | also standardise (British spelling) to see that all things are made or done in the same way (standardizing the testing system in schools). | ||
| standby (noun) | a person or thing that can always be depended on and ready to be put into service when needed. | ||
| standing (noun) | rank, position, reputation (her standing in the community). adj 1 upright (standing stones). 2 not flowing (standing water). 3 permanent, fixed (a standing joke). | ||
| standpoint (noun) | a point of view (from the average person’s standpoint). | ||
| standstill (noun) | a stoppage (work at the factory is at a standstill). | ||
| stanza (noun) | in poetry, a number of lines arranged in a certain pattern that is repeated throughout the poem. | ||
| staple (noun) | 1 a U-shaped nail or pin. 2 a principal product or article of trade. 3 a main item (the staples of her diet). adj chief, principal. | ||
| stapler (noun) | a tool used to drive staples into papers, wood, etc to bind them or attach them. | ||
| star (noun) | 1 a heavenly body seen as a twinkling point of light in the night sky. 2 any object like a twinkling star in shape. 3 an asterisk (*). 4 a leading actor or actress. vb (starred , starring ) to have the leading part in a play, etc (star in the new film). adj starry full of stars; like stars (a starry sky). | ||
| starboard (noun) | the right-hand side of a ship as one faces the bows. Also adj. | ||
| starch (noun) | 1 a vegetable substance found in potatoes, cereals, etc. 2 a white powder mixed with water and used to make cloth stiff. | ||
| starchy (adjective) | 1 containing starch. 2 stiff with starch (starchy collars). 3 stiff or unfriendly in manner (her grandmother is rather starchy). | ||
| stardom (noun) | fame as an entertainer, sportsman, etc. | ||
| stardust (noun) | a cluster of stars too far away to be seen separately with the naked eye. | ||
| stare (verb) | to look at fixedly, to look at with wide-open eyes (staring at him in amazement). Also n. | ||
| starfish (noun) | a star-shaped sea creature. | ||
| stark (adjective) | 1 bare or simple, often in a severe way (the stark landscape/the stark truth). 2 utter, complete (stark idiocy). adv completely. | ||
| starless (adjective) | with no stars visible (a starless night). | ||
| starlet (noun) | 1 a small star. 2 a young actress being promoted as a future star. | ||
| starlight (noun) | the light given off by stars. | ||
| starling (noun) | a bird, with black-brown feathers, of the crow family. | ||
| start (verb) | 1 to begin (start working/start to work). 2 to set in motion (start a new business). 3 to jump or make a sudden movement (start in alarm at the eerie sound). n 1 a beginning (at the start of the working day). 2 a sudden sharp movement (give a start at the noise). 3 the distance certain runners are allowed to start a race in front of the others. | ||
| starter (noun) | 1 a device for starting a motor engine. 2 a person who gives the signal to begin. 3 a person who takes part in a race. | ||
| startle (verb) | to frighten, to give a sudden surprise to (animals startled by the sudden noise). | ||
| starve (verb) | 1 to die of hunger, to suffer greatly from hunger. 2 to keep without food. 3 to suffer for want of something necessary (children starved of affection). n starvation | ||
| Stasiology | study of political parties (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Stasiphobia | fear of standing or walking (see list of phobias) | ||
| state | Collective noun for princes (A state of princes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| state (noun) | 1 condition, circumstances, situation (the state of the house/the state of the housing market). 2 the people of a country organized under a form of government. 3 the governmental institutions of a country. 4 (formal) pomp or ceremonious display. adj 1 having to do with the government. 2 public. vb 1 to say as a fact. 2 to put clearly into words, spoken or written. | ||
| stately (adjective) | dignified, grand in manner or behavior. | ||
| statement (noun) | 1 a clear spoken or written account of facts (an official statement about the president’s illness). 2 an account of money due or held (a bank statement). | ||
| state-of-the-art (adjective) | using the most modern, advanced methods (using state-of-the-art computing equipment) | ||
| statesman , stateswoman (noun) | 1 a person skilled in the art of government. 2 a person who has held high political office. | ||
| static (adjective) | motionless, at rest (static electricity). | ||
| Statics | study of bodies and forces in equilibrium (see list of branches of science) | ||
| station (noun) | 1 (old) position, rank (his station in life). 2 a regular stopping place for trains, buses, etc. 3 a headquarters from which a public service is operated (fire station, police station). vb to put in or send to a certain place. | ||
| station wagon (noun) | an automobile with a large storage area where the trunk would usually be. | ||
| stationary (adjective) | fixed, not moving (stationary traffic). | ||
| stationer (noun) | a person who sells stationery. | ||
| stationery (noun) | paper, pens, and all other writing materials (a shop selling stationery). | ||
| statistician (noun) | a person who makes up or studies statistics. | ||
| statistics (noun) | 1 the science of turning facts into figures and then classifying them. 2 the study of figures to deduce facts. 3 figures giving information about something (unemployment statistics). | ||
| statue (noun) | the carved or moulded figure of a person or animal in stone, etc (a statue of the famous writer in the town square). | ||
| statuesque (adjective) | 1 like a statue. 2 of a woman, large and beautiful. | ||
| statuette (noun) | a small statue. | ||
| stature (noun) | 1 height of the body. 2 importance, reputation (a writer gaining in stature). | ||
| status (noun) | rank, social position. | ||
| status quo (noun) | an unchanged state of affairs (wish to return to the status quo after the changes). | ||
| status symbol (noun) | a possession that seems to mark a higher social position. | ||
| statute (noun) | a law. | ||
| statutory (adjective) | required by law or statute (the statutory conditions of employment). | ||
| staunch1 (adjective) | loyal, firm, reliable (staunch followers of the president). | ||
| staunch2 , stanch (verb) | to stop blood flowing from a cut, etc (apply a tourniquet to staunch the blood). | ||
| Staurophobia | fear of crosses or the crucifix (see list of phobias) | ||
| stave (noun) | 1 one of the strips of wood forming the sides of a barrel. 2 the set of five parallel lines on and between which musical notes are written. 3 a verse of a song, a stanza. vb to break inward. stave off to keep away, to put off. | ||
| stay (verb) | 1 to remain (stay calm). 2 to live in a place for a time (stayed in New York for a few years). 3 (formal) to delay, to stop (stay the execution). n 1 time spent in a place. 2 a delay. 3 one of the ropes supporting the mast in its upright position. | ||
| steadfast (adjective) | loyal, firm, unmoving. | ||
| steady (adjective) | 1 firm (hold the ladder steady). 2 not easily changing (steady temperatures). 3 regular (steady work). 4 reliable, sensible (steady workers). n steadiness | ||
| steak (noun) | a slice of meat or fish for cooking (tuna steak). | ||
| steakhouse (noun) | a restaurant that specializes in beef steaks. | ||
| steal (verb) | (pt stole , pp stolen ) 1 to take what belongs to another. 2 to move slowly and quietly (steal upstairs late at night). | ||
| stealth (noun) | 1 secrecy. 2 acting quietly or slyly so as not to be seen or heard. | ||
| stealthy (adjective) | quiet, sly, secretive (stealthy footsteps). | ||
| steam | Collective noun for turds (A steam of turds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| steam (noun) | the vapor of hot liquid, especially water. vb 1 to give off steam. 2 to cook in steam (steam vegetables). 3 to move driven by steam power (a ship steamed into harbor). adj steamy of or like stam, covered or filled with steam. | ||
| steam engine (noun) | an engine driven by steam power. | ||
| steamboat , steamer , steamship (noun) | a ship driven by steam power. | ||
| steamroller (noun) | a steam-driven vehicle with wide, heavy wheels, used for flattening road surfaces. | ||
| steed (noun) | (old) a horse. | ||
| steel (noun) | 1 an alloy consisting of iron hardened by carbon. 2 a steel bar on which knives may be sharpened. adj made of steel. vb to harden, to strengthen (steeling herself to sack the boy). | ||
| steely (adjective) | hard, unsympathetic (a steely gaze). | ||
| steep1 (adjective) | having a rapid slope up or down (steep cliffs). n a cliff or precipice. vb steepen to become more steep. | ||
| steep2 (verb) | to soak, to leave in water for a time (steep stained clothes). | ||
| steeple (noun) | a tall church tower, sometimes tapering to a point. | ||
| steeplechase (noun) | a cross-country race over obstacles for horses or runners. | ||
| steeplejack (noun) | a person who climbs steeples, tall chimneys, etc, to repair them. | ||
| steer1 (noun) | a young ox. | ||
| steer2 (verb) | to keep a moving object pointed in the right direction; to guide or control (steer the car/steer the conversation). | ||
| stegosaurus (noun) | a kind of dinosaur that has a small head and bony plates and sharp spikes down the backbone. | ||
| stellar (adjective) | having to do with the stars. | ||
| Stellar astronomy | study of stars, their origins, and their evolution. (see list of branches of science) | ||
| stellular (adjective) | shaped like a star; covered with small stars or star-like spots. | ||
| stem1 (noun) | 1 the trunk of a tree, the stalk of a flower, leaf, etc. 2 the very front part of a ship. 3 the main unchanging part of a word, prefixes and suffixes left out. adj stemmed referring to objects that have a stem; a stem-like object, such as a goblet. | ||
| stem2 (verb) | (stemmed , stemming ) to check, to delay, to stop (something) flowing (stem the flow of blood). | ||
| Stemmatology | study of relationships between text (see list of branches of science) | ||
| stench | Collective noun for skunks (A stench of skunks) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| stench | Collective noun for zombies (A stench of zombies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| stench (noun) | a foul smell (the stench from the sewer). | ||
| stencil (noun) | 1 a thin plate or card with a design cut through it so that patterned markings can be painted or printed on a surface beneath. 2 a waxed paper from which copies of typewritten material can be printed. vb (stenciled , stenciling ) to make a design or copy by using a stencil. | ||
| Stenophobia | fear of narrow things or places (see list of phobias) | ||
| step (noun) | 1 a pace taken by one foot. 2 the distance covered by such a pace. 3 a footprint. 4 the sound of a footfall (hear steps on the stair). 5 a complete series of steps in a dance. 6 one of a series of rungs or small graded platforms that allow a person to climb or walk from one level to another (the steps of a ladder). 7 pl a flight of stairs. 8 pl a stepladder. vb (stepped , stepping ) to walk. out of step 1 out of time with others in performing a regular movement. 2 behaving or thinking differently from others (older workers are out of step with the ideas of the young people). step out to move boldly or quickly forward. step up to increase (step up the interest payments on the loan). take steps to take action. | ||
| stepchild (noun) | the child of a husband or wife by a previous marriage. Also stepdaughter , stepfather , stepmother , stepson , stepfamily | ||
| stepladder (noun) | a portable self-supporting ladder. | ||
| steppe (noun) | in Russia or Asia, a vast treeless uncultivated plain. | ||
| stereo (noun) | a device used to play music in stereoscopic sound. Also adj. | ||
| stereoscopic sound (noun) | sound relayed from two transmitters so that it seems to come from an area and not any one point. | ||
| stereotype (noun) | 1 a metal plate on which type is reproduced so that it may be reprinted over and over again. 2 an idea, image, etc, that has become fixed and unchanging. | ||
| stereotyped (adjective) | fixed and unchanging (actors worried about becoming stereotyped by playing the same kind of role too often). | ||
| sterile (adjective) | 1 bearing no fruit or children, barren. 2 germ-free (sterile operating theaters). n sterility | ||
| sterilize (verb), | also sterilise (British spelling) 1 to make sterile. 2 to get rid of germs (by boiling, etc). | ||
| sterling (adjective) | genuine, of worth. | ||
| stern1 (adjective) | severe, strict, harsh. | ||
| stern2 (noun) | the back part of a ship. | ||
| sternum (noun) | a thin, flat bone to which most of the ribs are attached in the front of the chest. | ||
| stethoscope (noun) | an instrument by means of which a person can listen to the sound of another’s breathing or heartbeats. | ||
| stew (verb) | to boil slowly in little liquid in a closed vessel. n 1 stewed meat and vegetables. 2 (informal) a state of anxiety (in a stew about the exams). adj stewed cooked by stewing. | ||
| steward (noun) | 1 a person paid to manage another’s land or property. 2 a manservant on a ship or airplane. 3 an official at a concert, race, meeting, show, etc. f stewardess | ||
| stick1 (verb) | (pt, pp stuck ) 1 to pierce or stab (stick a marshmallow on the skewer). 2 to fasten or be fastened to, as with glue (stick pictures on a piece of cardboard). 3 to be unable to move (cars stuck in the mud). | ||
| stick2 (noun) | 1 a rod, a long, thin piece of wood, especially one carried when walking. 2 something shaped like a stick (a stick of butter). | ||
| stickball (noun) | a game like baseball played by children in city streets with stick, such as a broom handle, and soft rubber ball. | ||
| sticker (noun) | a person or think that sticks. | ||
| stickle (verb) | to raise objections or make difficulties, especially in a stubborn manner and usually about small things. | ||
| stickler (noun) | a person who is fussy about details or unimportant matters (a stickler for the school rules). | ||
| sticky (adjective) | 1 smeared with glue, etc, for fixing to other things (sticky paper). 2 tending to fasten on by sticking. 3 (informal) difficult (a sticky situation). | ||
| stiff (adjective) | 1 hard to bend. 2 firm. 3 unable to move easily (feel stiff after the exercise). 4 cold and severe in manner. | ||
| stiffen (verb) | to make or become stiff. | ||
| stifle (verb) | 1 to smother, to choke, to cut off the air supply. 2 to prevent from expressing (stifle the child’s natural talent). 3 to keep down by force (stifle a laugh). | ||
| stifling (adjective) | oppressively hot; stuffy. | ||
| stigma (noun) | (pl stigmas ) 1 a mark of shame or disgrace (the stigma of having been in prison). 2 the part of a flower that receives the pollen. 3 (pl stigmata ) marks like those of the wounds on Jesus’s body. | ||
| stigmatic (adjective) | of, like, or having a stigma. | ||
| stigmatize (verb), | also stigmatise (British spelling) to blame as being shameful or disgraceful (stigmatized as cowardly). | ||
| stile (noun) | a set of steps over a fence or wall. | ||
| stiletto (noun) | 1 a small dagger. 2 a small, sharp tool used for making small holes in cloth. | ||
| still life (noun) | (pl still lifes ) 1 nonliving objects (e.g. fruit, ornaments, etc) as subjects for painting. 2 paintings of such objects. | ||
| still1 (adjective) | 1 at rest, motionless (still water). 2 calm, silent. n a single photograph out of a series taken by a moving camera. vb to make still. adv 1 even so (he is old—still he wants to go on working). 2 up to this moment (they are still fighting). | ||
| still2 (noun) | a device for distilling spirits, or making alcoholic drinks (a whiskey still). | ||
| stillbirth (noun) | the birth of a stillborn baby. | ||
| stillborn (adjective) | born dead (stillborn babies). | ||
| stilt (noun) | one of a pair of poles with footrests so that a person can walk some height above the ground (the clown walked on stilts). | ||
| stilted (adjective) | 1 unnatural or pompous in manner. 2 awkwardly expressed (stilted English). | ||
| stimulant (noun) | something that increases energy for a time (coffee is a stimulant). Also adj. | ||
| stimulate (verb) | 1 to rouse or make more alert, active, etc (stimulating her into learning to paint). 2 to stir up, cause (the teacher stimulated a discussion on the arts). adj stimulating | ||
| stimulus (noun) | (pl stimuli ) something that arouses a person’s feelings or excites a person to action (the athletics competition acted as a stimulus and he began to practice running). | ||
| sting (noun) | 1 a sharp-pointed defensive organ of certain animals or insects by means of which they can inject poison into an attacker. 2 in plants, a hair containing poison. 3 the pain caused by a sting (a wasp sting). 4 any sharp pain. vb (pt, pp stung ). 1 to pierce or wound with a sting. 2 to pierce painfully with a sharp point. 3 to drive or provoke (a person) to act (stung into making an angry reply). | ||
| stinger (noun) | a person or thing that stings. | ||
| stingray (noun) | a kind of flat fish that has a long, whip-like tale that can sting its enemies. | ||
| stingy (adjective) | mean, unwilling to spend or give money. | ||
| stink (verb) | (pt stank or stunk , pp stunk) to give an unpleasant smell. n an unpleasant smell (the stink of rotten meat). | ||
| stint (verb) | to give or allow only a small amount of (stinted on materials). n limit, a set amount of work. | ||
| stipple (verb) | to paint or draw in very small dots instead of lines. | ||
| stipulate (verb) | to lay down conditions in advance (stipulating the terms of her employment in writing). | ||
| stipulation (noun) | conditions demanded as part of an agreement. | ||
| stir (verb) | (stirred , stirring ) 1 to move or set in motion (stir the sauce). 2 to arouse (stir up hatred). n excitement, noisy movement, a sensation (their divorce caused quite a stir). | ||
| stir-fry (verb) | to fry very quickly in a wok with a little oil while stirring constantly. n a dish prepared this way. | ||
| stirring (adjective) | rousing, exciting (a stirring song). | ||
| stirrup (noun) | a metal foot support hung from the saddle for a horse-rider. | ||
| stitch | Collective noun for surgeons (A stitch of surgeons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| stitch (noun) | 1 a single complete movement of the needle in knitting, sewing, etc. 2 a sharp pain in the side as a result of running, etc. vb to join by stitches (the nurse stitched his head wound). | ||
| stock | Collective noun for portfolio managers (A stock of portfolio managers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| stock (noun) | 1 the main stem of a plant, the trunk of a tree. 2 the wooden handle of a gun. 3 a band of cloth worn around the neck, sometimes also covering the shirt front. 4 the families from which a person is descended. 5 goods kept for selling (have a varied stock of candies). 6 shares in a business. 7 the animals of a farm. 8 liquid in which bones, vegetables, etc, have been boiled. 9 a sweet-smelling garden flower. 10 pl (old) a frame with holes for the hands and feet into which lawbreakers could be fastened for punishment. 11 pl the wooden frame on which a ship rests while being built. adj always in use or ready for use. vb to provide with necessary goods; to keep a store of (stock greetings cards). take stock 1 to list and check goods. 2 to consider all the aspects of a situation (take stock of his future prospects). | ||
| stock car (noun) | a normal car adapted for racing. | ||
| stock exchange , stock market (noun) | a place where shares are bought and sold. | ||
| stockade (noun) | a fence of strong posts built for defense. | ||
| stockbroker (noun) | a person who buys and sells shares in business companies on behalf of others. | ||
| stockholder (noun) | a person owning stock in a given company. | ||
| stocking (noun) | a close-fitting covering for the foot and leg. | ||
| stockpile (noun) | a supply of goods for use in case of a shortage. | ||
| stocktaking (noun) | the checking of all the goods held in a shop or store (undertake a stocktaking at the end of the month). | ||
| stocky (adjective) | short and broad (a stocky man). | ||
| stodgy (adjective) | 1 dull (a stodgy piece of writing). 2 (of food) heavy or hard to digest. | ||
| stoic (noun) | a person who accepts good and bad, pleasure and pain without excitement or complaint. adj stoical n stoicism | ||
| Stoichiology | study of elements of animal tissues (see list of branches of science) | ||
| stoke (verb) | to put fuel on a fire. | ||
| stole1 (noun) | 1 a long scarf worn around the shoulders by women (she was wearing a fur stole over her evening dress). 2 a band of cloth worn around the neck by a clergyman during services. | ||
| stole2 (past tense) | of steal. | ||
| stolen (past participle) | of steal. Also adj. | ||
| stomach (noun) | 1 the bag-like bodily organ that receives and digests food. 2 courage (not have the stomach for battle). vb to bear with, to put up with (she could not stomach how the animals were treated). | ||
| Stomatology | study of the mouth (see list of branches of science) | ||
| stomp (noun) | a jazz tune with a lively rhythm and a strong beat. vb to dance to this music. | ||
| stone (noun) | 1 a hard mass of rock. 2 a piece of rock, a pebble. 3 the hard center of some fruits (cherry stones). 4 a piece of hard matter that forms in the body in certain diseases (kidney stones). 5 a precious stone or gem. 6 in the imperial system, a unit of weight made up of 14 lbs (she was more than a stone overweight). adj made of stone. vb 1 to throw stones at. 2 to remove the stones from (fruit) (stoning the cherries). leave no stone unturned to do everything possible (the police left no stone unturned in their search for the missing child). | ||
| Stone Age (noun) | an early period in history during which humans made tools, weapons, etc, of stone. | ||
| stonemason (noun) | a person who cuts stone to shape and uses it to make walls, buildings, etc. | ||
| stoneware (noun) | a coarse pottery with a glazed finish. | ||
| stonewashed (adjective) | (of material) washed with rough stones to cause fading and make softer. | ||
| stonework (noun) | 1 any building or part of a structure made of stone (they needed some stonemasons to repair the church’s stonework). 2 the art or process of working in stone, as in masonry or jewelry. | ||
| stony (adjective) | 1 like stone. 2 covered with stones (a stony beach). 3 hard, unsympathetic (a stony silence). | ||
| stood (past tense) | and pp of stand. | ||
| stooge (noun) | 1 a person made a fool of (a comedian’s stooge). 2 a person who does unpleasant work for another; a person who takes the blame due to others. | ||
| stool (noun) | a low, backless seat. | ||
| stoop (verb) | 1 to bend forward and downward. 2 to agree to do something unworthy, to give in (he refused to stoop to lying). n a downward bending of the head and shoulders. | ||
| stop (verb) | (stopped , stopping ) 1 to cease or prevent from moving or doing something (the security guard tried to stop people from entering the building). 2 to come or bring to a standstill. 3 to block or close up (stop the hole in the pipe). n 1 a pause. 2 a place where a bus, etc, halts to pick up passengers. 3 one of the knobs controlling the flow of air in the pipes of an organ, so regulating the sounds produced. | ||
| stopper (noun) | something closing a small hole (e.g. in the neck of a wine bottle). | ||
| stopwatch (noun) | a watch, used for timing events, that can be started or stopped at will (use a stopwatch to time the race). | ||
| storage (noun) | 1 the putting of goods in warehouses, etc, until they are required (before they left to work overseas he organized the storage of their furniture). 2 the charge for storing goods. | ||
| store | Collective noun for gypsies (A store of gypsies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| store (noun) | 1 a large quantity. 2 a supply of goods that can be drawn on when necessary. 3 a room or building where such goods are kept. 4 a shop selling many different kinds of articles (a department store). vb 1 to keep for future use (storing her summer clothes in the attic). 2 to put in warehouses, etc. set store by to regard as valuable. | ||
| Storiology | study of folk tales (see list of branches of science) | ||
| stork (noun) | a white wading bird of the heron family, with long legs and bill. | ||
| storm | Collective noun for paratroopers (A storm of paratroopers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| storm (noun) | 1 a spell of very bad weather (e.g. rain, wind, snow, etc). 2 a display of violent emotion; public anger. vb 1 to make a sudden violent attack on a defended place (the enemy storming the castle). 2 to rage (he was storming about the damage to his car). take by storm to capture by a sudden violent attack. | ||
| stormy (adjective) | 1 of, like, or troubled by storms. 2 violent, marked by angry feelings (a stormy reaction to his defeat). | ||
| story1 (noun) | 1 an account of events, real or imagined. 2 (informal) a lie (she felt sure that his account of the event was just a story). | ||
| story2 (noun), | also storey (British spelling) a level of a building (five-story building). | ||
| storyboard (noun) | a large board on which a series of sketches of shots or scenes are arranged for outlining the action of a film, video, etc. | ||
| storybook (noun) | a book of stories, especially those for children. | ||
| storyteller (noun) | a person who tells stories. | ||
| stout (adjective) | 1 strong or thick (a stout stick). 2 fat (so stout that he was breathless walking along the road). 3 brave (a stout attempt). n a strong dark beer. | ||
| stove (noun) | a closed-in fireplace or metal device for warming a room, cooking, etc. | ||
| stow (verb) | to put away, to pack tightly (stow the luggage in the trunk of the car). | ||
| stowaway (noun) | a person who hides on a ship, etc, so as to travel without paying the fare. | ||
| straddle (verb) | 1 to spread the legs wide apart. 2 to sit or stand with a leg on either side of. | ||
| straggle (verb) | 1 to move in a random and widely scattered formation. 2 to fall behind the main body. | ||
| straggler (noun) | a person who wanders from the main body. | ||
| straggly (adjective) | spread out in an irregular way. | ||
| straight (adjective) | 1 not curving or crooked. 2 honest. adv directly, at once. vb straighten to make straight (straighten the bedclothes). | ||
| straightaway (adverb) | at once. | ||
| straightforward (adjective) | 1 simple, easy to understand. 2 honest (a straightforward person). | ||
| strain1 (verb) | 1 to stretch tightly (a dress straining at the seams). 2 to make the utmost effort. 3 to harm by trying to do too much with (strain themselves by pushing the cart). 4 to put in a sieve to draw liquid off (strain the sauce). n 1 violent effort. 2 harm caused to muscles, etc, by straining them. 3 manner or style of speaking or writing. 4 a tune. | ||
| strain2 (noun) | 1 breed, stock (a strain of plant). 2 an element of character (a family with an artistic strain). 3 a tune. | ||
| strained (adjective) | 1 stretched too far. 2 not natural (a strained relationship). | ||
| strainer (noun) | a small sieve or filter (a metal strainer). | ||
| strait (noun) | 1 a narrow strip of water between two land masses. 2 pl distress, difficulties. | ||
| strait-jacket (noun) | a strong, tightly fitting garment that can be laced onto violent persons to make them helpless or to people with a back injury for support. | ||
| strait-laced (adjective) | having strict rules of behavior for oneself and others. | ||
| strand1 (noun) | (formal) the shore. vb to run aground. adj stranded left helpless without money, friends, etc (she found herself stranded with nowhere to stay). | ||
| strand2 (noun) | 1 one of the threads of a rope or string. 2 a single length of hair, wool, etc. | ||
| strange (adjective) | 1 unusual, odd (strange animals). 2 unfamiliar (strange to the job). 3 peculiar, uncomfortable, unwell (feel strange). | ||
| strangeness (noun) | the state or quality of being strange. | ||
| stranger (noun) | 1 a person previously unknown. 2 a new arrival to a place, town, etc. 3 a person who is unfamilar with or ignorant of something (a stranger to the truth). | ||
| strangle (verb) | to kill by pressing the throat tightly, to choke. | ||
| strap (noun) | 1 a narrow band of leather or other material (a strap around the suitcase). 2 a leather belt. vb (strapped , strapping ) 1 to fasten with a strap (strap the load on the donkey). 2 to beat with a strap. | ||
| strapless (adjective) | having no strap (strapless dress). | ||
| strapping (adjective) | tall and strong (strapping athletes). | ||
| strata | plural of stratum. | ||
| stratagem (noun) | a trick intended to deceive (a stratagem to get into the house unnoticed). | ||
| strategic(al) (adjective) | having to do with strategy. | ||
| strategist (noun) | a person skilled in strategy. | ||
| strategize (verb), | also strategise (British spelling) to plan a strategy. | ||
| strategy (noun) | 1 the art of dealing with a situation in such a way as to gain from it the greatest advantage possible (the strategy required to get the council to agree to the building of the new road). 2 in war, the planning of a campaign. | ||
| stratify (verb) | to form into or set out in layers. n stratification | ||
| Stratigraphy | study of geological layers or strata (see list of branches of science) | ||
| stratosphere (noun) | a layer of the earth’s atmosphere (5–10 miles up) in which temperature does not become lower as a person goes higher. | ||
| stratum (noun) | (pl strata ) 1 a layer of rock, earth, etc, forming part of the earth’s surface. 2 a level (a stratum of society). | ||
| straw (noun) | 1 the dried stalks of corn, etc (lay straw for the cattle to lie on). 2 one such stalk or something resembling it (suck lemonade through a straw). 3 something of no worth (not worth a straw). | ||
| strawberry (noun) | 1 a wild or garden plant. 2 the juicy red fruit it bears. | ||
| stray (verb) | to wander, to lose the way (find the animal that had strayed). adj 1 lost, off the right path (stray animals). 2 occasional (stray flowers in the wood). n a lost or wandering person, animal, or thing. | ||
| streak | Collective noun for tigers (A streak of tigers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| streak (noun) | 1 a long, narrow mark or stain, a stripe, a narrow band (streaks of red in the sky). 2 part of a person’s character (a streak of nastiness). vb to mark with streaks. | ||
| streaky (adjective) | consisting of or marked with streaks (streaky hair/streaky bacon). | ||
| stream | Collective noun for minnows (A stream of minnows) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| stream | Collective noun for urologists (A stream of urologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| stream (noun) | 1 a current of any liquid or gas. 2 a small river. 3 a succession of people moving in one direction (a stream of people leaving the office). vb 1 to move in a stream. 2 to flow freely. | ||
| streamer (noun) | 1 a long narrow flag. 2 a narrow strip of ribbon or colored paper for flying in the wind (streamers flying from the bus window). | ||
| streamline (verb) | 1 to build so as to offer minimum resistance to air or water. 2 to make more efficient. | ||
| street (noun) | a public road lined with buildings in a city or town. | ||
| streetcar (noun), | also tram, tramcar (British spelling) a large coach or car on rails for the public to use. | ||
| streetlight (noun) | a light mounted on a tall pole used to light up a street. | ||
| streetwise (adjective) | knowing how to keep out of trouble. | ||
| strength (noun) | 1 bodily power (not have the strength to lift the load). 2 might, force. 3 the number of persons of a class, army, etc, present or on the roll (when the staff is at full strength). | ||
| strengthen (verb) | to make or become stronger (strengthen the wall/strengthen our case). | ||
| strenuous (adjective) | requiring much energy (a strenuous task). | ||
| stress (verb) | 1 to point out the importance of. 2 to emphasize with the voice (stress the second syllable of the word). n 1 importance (put some stress on the cost of the project). 2 strain, pressure (not coping with the stress of the job). 3 the special emphasis given to particular syllables, words, etc, when speaking. | ||
| stressed , stressed-out (adjective) | tired, nervous, or depressed as a result of overwork, problems, etc. | ||
| stretch (verb) | 1 to make or become longer or broader by pulling. 2 to draw out to the fullest extent (stretch muscles after exercise). 3 to reach out (stretch out for the salt). 4 to exaggerate, to make seem more important, bigger, etc, than in reality. n a large expanse of land or water (a stretch of farmland). | ||
| stretcher (noun) | a light frame for carrying a sick or wounded person. | ||
| stretchy (adjective) | that can be stretched. | ||
| strew (verb) | (pp strewn ) to scatter about, to spread at intervals over (the little bridesmaid strewed flowers in the bride’s path). | ||
| stricken (adjective) | affected by (stricken with a fatal illness). | ||
| strict (adjective) | 1 severe. 2 demanding that others obey the rules (a strict teacher). | ||
| stricture (noun) | 1 blame, unfavorable criticism of a person. 2 limit (strictures on their freedom). | ||
| stride (verb) | (pt strode ) to walk with long steps. n a long step. | ||
| strident (adjective) | loud and harsh in sound (strident voices). | ||
| strife (noun) | open disagreement, arguing, fighting. | ||
| strike (verb) | (pt, pp struck ) 1 to hit (he struck his opponent). 2 (of a clock) to sound the hours or quarters. 3 to stop work to try to make employers grant better pay or conditions. 4 to come suddenly to mind (it struck me that they were late). 5 to make and stamp (a coin or medal). 6 to take down (a flag or tent). 7 to light (a match) by rubbing. 8 to come upon by chance (strike a bad patch). n a stopping of work. | ||
| striking (adjective) | attracting attention because of being fine or unusual (a striking dress/she was a very striking woman). | ||
| string | Collective noun for beads (A string of beads) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| string | Collective noun for jobs (A string of jobs) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| string | Collective noun for pearls (A string of pearls) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| string | Collective noun for ponies (A string of ponies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| string | Collective noun for racehorses (A string of racehorses) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| string | Collective noun for violinists (A string of violinists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| string (noun) | 1 a cord or strong thread. 2 the cord or wire of a musical instrument. 3 a number of persons or things, one following the other (a string of applicants for the job). vb 1 to put on a string. 2 to put a string into (a musical instrument). | ||
| string bean (noun) | a long, thin, green, edible bean pod. | ||
| stringent (adjective) | 1 severe, strict, laying down exact rules to be obeyed (stringent measures). 2 marked by severe lack of money or by firm control (stringent financial conditions). n stringency | ||
| stringy (adjective) | 1 like string (stringy beans). 2 thin and muscular (stringy arms). | ||
| strip (verb) | (stripped , stripping ) 1 to pull off the outer covering. 2 to undress (they stripped to swim). 3 to take everything from (strip the room of everything valuable). n a long, narrow piece. | ||
| stripe (noun) | 1 a band or streak of different color from those on either side of it (a pattern of blue and white stripes). 2 kind, sort, type (a man of a certain stripe). adj stripy , striped marked with stripes. | ||
| strive (verb) | (pt strove or strived , pp striven ) to try as hard as possible, to struggle (strive to reach the top). | ||
| strobe light (noun) | a light that gives off very bright, rapid flashes. | ||
| stroganoff (adjective) | cooked with sour cream, onions, mushrooms, etc (beef stroganoff). | ||
| stroke1 (noun) | 1 a blow. 2 a sudden turn of luck, good or bad. 3 a sudden attack of illness, especially one affecting the brain. 4 a line made by a pen, pencil, etc. 5 one sound from a bell (at the stroke of ten). 6 the oarsman in a boat with whom the others keep time when rowing. | ||
| stroke2 (verb) | to rub gently with the hand in one direction (stroking the cat’s fur). | ||
| stroll (verb) | to walk in a leisurely way (stroll along the path). n a short leisurely walk. | ||
| stroller (noun) | 1 a person who strolls. 2 a baby carriage. | ||
| strong (adjective) | 1 powerful (a strong influence). 2 healthy (children getting strong after their illness). 3 possessing bodily power (a strong man). | ||
| stronghold (noun) | 1 a fort. 2 a place difficult to capture by attack. | ||
| structure (noun) | 1 a building. 2 anything consisting of parts put together according to a plan. 3 the way in which a thing is put together (the structure of the organization). adj structural | ||
| strudel (noun) | a kind of pastry made of a very thin sheet of double covered with fillings and then rolled and baked. | ||
| struggle (verb) | 1 to try hard. 2 to fight. n 1 a hard effort (put up a struggle). 2 a fight. | ||
| strum (verb) | (strummed , strumming ) 1 to play a tune carelessly. 2 to play on a stringed instrument by plucking the strings (strum on a guitar). | ||
| strut1 (verb) | (strutted , strutting ) to walk stiffly, as if trying to look important (the bully was strutting around the playground). Also n. | ||
| strut2 (noun) | a supporting bar; a prop or support. | ||
| strychnine (noun) | a highly poisonous drug. | ||
| stub (noun) | 1 a short piece left when the rest is cut off or used up. 2 the retained section of a ticket, etc. vb (stubbed , stubbing ) to strike (the toes) against something by accident (I stubbed my toe on the table leg). | ||
| stubble (noun) | 1 the stumps of the corn stalks left in the ground after reaping. 2 the short bristly hairs that grow after a person has shaved. | ||
| stubborn (adjective) | unwilling to change point of view, not ready to give in. | ||
| stubby (adjective) | short and broad, short and thick (stubby fingers). | ||
| stud | Collective noun for mares (A stud of mares) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| stud | Collective noun for poker players (A stud of poker players) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| stud1 (noun) | 1 a nail with a large head or knob. 2 a fastener with a head at each end for linking two buttonholes (collar stubs). 3 one of the supporting wooden beams in a wall. vb (studded , studding ) 1 to decorate with many small ornaments. 2 to cover with (a dress studded with sequins). adj studded covered with studs (studded belt). | ||
| stud2 (noun) | 1 a number of horses kept for breeding. 2 the place where they are kept. | ||
| student (noun) | a person who studies; a person who goes to school (university students). | ||
| studied (adjective) | done with care, deliberate (with studied politeness). | ||
| studio (noun) | 1 the room in which a painter, sculptor, photographer, etc, works. 2 a building in which films are made. 3 a place in which records are made or a room from which programs are broadcast. | ||
| studious (adjective) | of, given to, or engaged in study (studious pupils). | ||
| study (verb) | 1 to read about or look at to obtain knowledge (studied local history). 2 to examine closely, to think deeply about (studying the evidence). n 1 the obtaining of information, especially by reading. 2 a subject studied. 3 an office, a room set aside for reading and learning (the professor’s study). 4 a work of art done to improve a person’s skill. | ||
| stuff (noun) | 1 the material or substance of which something is made. 2 anything said, done, written, composed, etc. 3 cloth (clothes of hard-wearing stuff). vb 1 to fill full or tightly. 2 to fill something hollow with another material. | ||
| stuffing (noun) | 1 material used to stuff something hollow (stuffing for cushions). 2 a mixture of breadcrumbs, seasoning, etc, put inside chickens, etc, when cooking (turkey stuffing). | ||
| stuffy (adjective) | hot and airless (a stuffy room). | ||
| stumble (verb) | 1 to trip and nearly fall (stumbling over an uneven piece of road). 2 to make an error, to do wrong. 3 to come upon by chance (stumble upon the solution). n a trip, a false step when walking, nearly causing a person to fall. | ||
| stump (noun) | 1 the part of a tree left above ground when the rest is cut down. 2 the part of a limb left after the rest has been amputated. vb 1 to walk heavily (she stumped out of the room angrily). 2 to ask someone a question that he or she is unable to answer. | ||
| stumpy (adjective) | short and thick, short and broad (stumpy fingers). | ||
| stun (verb) | (stunned , stunning ) 1 to knock senseless. 2 to amaze (stunned by the changes in the city center). n stunner (informal) a person or thing that stuns. adj stunning extremely attractive. | ||
| stunt1 (verb) | to prevent the full growth of (plants stunted because of frost). | ||
| stunt2 (noun) | 1 a trick to display special skill or daring. 2 anything done to attract attention or gain publicity (a publicity stunt for their new product). | ||
| stunted (adjective) | undersized. | ||
| stupefaction (noun) | (formal) amazement. | ||
| stupefy (verb) | 1 to make stupid, to make the senses less acute (stupefied by the drug). 2 to amaze. | ||
| stupendous (adjective) | extraordinary, so large or powerful that it amazes. | ||
| stupid (adjective) | foolish, not intelligent, slow to understand. n stupidity | ||
| stupor (noun) | temporary inability to think clearly, confusion of mind (in a stupor because he just woke up). | ||
| sturdy (adjective) | strong, well-built (sturdy children). | ||
| sturgeon (noun) | a large fish from whose eggs caviar is made. | ||
| stutter (verb) | to speak with difficulty, to repeat the first sound of a word several times before saying the whole word. n a stammer. | ||
| sty1 (noun) | an enclosure or pen in which pigs are kept. | ||
| sty2, stye (noun) | a swelling on the edge of the eyelid. | ||
| Stygiophobia | fear of hell (see list of phobias) | ||
| style (noun) | 1 manner of doing anything (her style of teaching). 2 a way of writing, painting, etc, by which works of art can be recognized as the work of a particular artist, school, or period (discuss the style of the writer in the essay). 3 a fashion (the style of the 1920s). 4 elegance (dress with style). | ||
| stylish (adjective) | well-dressed, smart, fashionable. | ||
| stylist (noun) | a person who designs, creates, or advises on current styles of clothing, hair, etc. | ||
| stylistic (adjective) | having to do with style. | ||
| stylistics (noun) | the study of style as a way of figuring out meaning. | ||
| stylize (verb), | also stylise (British spelling) to make part of one particular style. | ||
| Stylometry | study of literature by means of statistical analysis (see list of branches of science) | ||
| suave (adjective) | agreeable in manner, especially in an insincere way. n suavity | ||
| sub- | prefix under, below. | ||
| subconscious (adjective) | not fully aware of what one is doing (a subconscious hatred of his father). n mental processes that go on without a person being fully aware of them. | ||
| subdivide (verb) | to divide into smaller parts or groups. n subdivision | ||
| subdue (verb) | to conquer, to force to be tame or obedient. | ||
| subdued (adjective) | not bright, not loud (subdued lighting). | ||
| subject (adjective) | 1 ruled by another. 2 liable to (subject to colds). n 1 a person who owes loyalty to a ruler or government. 2 that about which something is said or written (he was the subject of the newspaper article). 3 something studied (she studied French among other subjects at school). 4 in a clause or sentence, the word with which the verb agrees grammatically. vb 1 to bring under the power of. 2 to expose to (subject them to ridicule). | ||
| subjection (noun) | control, the state of being under another’s rule or power. | ||
| subjective (adjective) | having to do with a person’s own ideas and feelings rather than with objects outside (a subjective judgment). | ||
| sublet (verb) | to rent to another what one is already paying rent for (while she was working abroad, she sublet her flat to a friend). Also n. | ||
| sublime (adjective) | noble, awe-inspiring, grand, lofty. | ||
| subliminal (adjective) | not quite at a conscious level (TV commercials with subliminal messages). | ||
| sublimity (noun) | greatness of feeling or expression. | ||
| submarine (noun) | a ship that can travel under the surface of the sea (the submarine surfaced long before it reached its berth). adj under the surface of the sea. | ||
| Submechanophobia | fear of submerged objects (see list of phobias) | ||
| submerge (verb) | to put or sink under water. n submergence | ||
| submersion (noun) | the act of putting or sinking under water. | ||
| submission (noun) | 1 surrender, obedience, the act of giving in or yielding. 2 a proposal or opinion (their submission was rejected). | ||
| submissive (adjective) | willing to accept orders, ready to give in without fighting back (the young wolf was submissive in the presence of the adult wolves). adv submissively. | ||
| submit (verb) | (submitted , submitting ) 1 to give in (submit to the enemy). 2 to put forward for consideration (submit a claim for expenses). | ||
| subordinate (adjective) | 1 less important (subordinate issues). 2 of lower rank. n a person who is lower in rank, a person who is working under the orders of another. vb 1 to place in a lower rank, to put under the command of. 2 to regard as less important. n subordination | ||
| subpoena (noun) | an order to appear as a witness in a court of law. | ||
| subscribe (verb) | 1 to sign the name under. 2 to agree with (unable to subscribe to his views). 3 to give or promise to give money to a fund or collection (subscribing to a children’s charity). 4 to give money to receive a weekly, monthly, etc, magazine, newspaper, etc (subscribe to Time magazine). n subscriber | ||
| subscription (noun) | 1 a signature. 2 a sum of money given to a fund, collection, magazine, newspaper, etc. | ||
| subsequent (adjective) | following, later (on subsequent occasions). | ||
| subservient (adjective) | ready to do all one is told to gain favor (subservient members of staff). | ||
| subside (verb) | 1 to sink gradually down (buildings subsiding). 2 to become less, to disappear gradually (the wind subsided). | ||
| subsidence (noun) | a gradual sinking down, especially of land. | ||
| subsidiary (adjective) | of less importance (subsidiary issues). | ||
| subsidize (verb), | also subsidise (British spelling) to pay a subsidy to (subsidizing the children’s theater). | ||
| subsidy (noun) | money paid by the government to certain groups, trades, etc, to enable them to provide the public with necessary services without losing money (subsidies for renovating old houses). | ||
| subsist (verb) | to live or exist, to have the means of living (subsisting on very little money). | ||
| subsistence (noun) | existence, being; that which is necessary to support life (food, clothing, shelter). | ||
| substance (noun) | 1 the material of which a thing is made (a waterproof substance). 2 that which really exists (not what is imagined). 3 the chief ideas in a speech or written work. 4 (formal) wealth (a man of substance). | ||
| substantial (adjective) | 1 really existing. 2 solid. 3 fairly large or important (a substantial improvement). | ||
| substantiate (verb) | to prove the truth of (substantiating his claim to the truth). | ||
| substitute (verb) | to put in place of (substituting tofu for meat). n a person or thing put in the place of another (the teacher had a substitute yesterday). Also adj (substitute teacher). n substitution | ||
| subterranean (adjective) | underground (subterranean caves). | ||
| subtitle (noun) | 1 a second, less important, title of a book. 2 explanatory comments, etc, printed on silent or foreign-language films. | ||
| subtle (adjective) | 1 cunning, clever, not obvious (he succeeded in persuading her by subtle means). 2 difficult to understand completely (a subtle difference). 3 faint or delicate (subtle colors). | ||
| subtlety | Collective noun for designers (A subtlety of designers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| subtlety | Collective noun for sergeants (A subtlety of sergeants) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| subtlety (noun) | 1 skill, cleverness. 2 refinement. | ||
| subtract (verb) | to take (one number) from another. n subtraction | ||
| suburb (noun) | an outlying part of a city. adj suburban | ||
| subversive (adjective) | intended or likely to overthrow or destroy; directed against the government, management, organization, etc (a subversive section of the club). | ||
| subvert (verb) | (formal) to overthrow, to try to destroy (try to subvert the government). n subversion | ||
| subway (noun) | 1 an underground passage (use the subway to get across the busy road). 2 an underground railway. | ||
| succeed (verb) | 1 to do what a person has attempted or desired to do (succeeded in climbing the mountain). 2 to come after, to follow in order and take the place of (the president who succeeded George Washington/he succeeded his father as chairman). | ||
| success (noun) | 1 the doing of what a person has attempted or desired to do. 2 a favorable result or outcome. 3 a person or thing that does as well as was hoped or expected. adj successful | ||
| succession (noun) | 1 a number of persons or things following one another in order (a succession of people were interviewed for the post). 2 the order in which people may inherit a title when it becomes available. | ||
| successive (adjective) | coming in order, following one after another (on successive occasions). | ||
| successor (noun) | a person who comes after or takes the place of another (the president’s successor). | ||
| succinct (adjective) | short and to the point, concise (a succinct account of the meeting). | ||
| succor (verb), | also succour (British spelling) (formal) to help when in difficulty. n aid, help (give succor to the injured). | ||
| succotash (noun) | a dish of lima beans and kernels of corn cooked together. | ||
| succulent (adjective) | juicy (succulent peaches). | ||
| succumb (verb) | 1 to give way to, to be overcome. 2 to die. | ||
| such (adjective) | 1 of a like kind or degree, similar. 2 so extreme, so much, so great, etc (happy with such praise). adv to so great a degree (such good news). | ||
| suck (verb) | 1 to draw into or in with the mouth (suck juice from a straw). 2 to draw the liquid from the mouth or something in it with the tongue (suck sweets). Also n. | ||
| sucker (noun) | 1 a person or thing that sucks. 2 (informal) a foolish or gullible person. | ||
| suckle (verb) | 1 to give milk from the breast (sows suckling their piglets). 2 to suck milk from the breast. | ||
| suckling (noun) | a baby or animal still feeding from its mother’s breast. | ||
| suction (noun) | the act of sucking; the drawing up of a fluid into a tube, etc, by expelling the air so that the fluid fills where the air once was. | ||
| sudden (adjective) | happening without warning, unexpected, hurried (there was a sudden change in the weather). | ||
| suds (noun, plural) | the froth on soapy water. adj sudsy | ||
| sue (verb) | 1 to bring a case against in a court of law (sue him for slander). 2 (formal) to beg for (suing for mercy). | ||
| suede (noun) | a soft kind of leather that is brushed and buffed so that it has a soft, furry feel to it. Also adj. | ||
| suet (noun) | hard fatty tissue around the kidneys of cattle and sheep, used in cooking (she makes a delicious beef suet pudding). | ||
| suffer (verb) | 1 to undergo pain or great anxiety (families suffering during the strike). 2 to experience or undergo (suffer defeat). 3 to put up with (she was prepared to suffer the noise for a few minutes). n suffering the bearing of pain, distress, etc. | ||
| suffice (verb) | (formal) to be enough (a little will suffice). | ||
| sufficiency (noun) | a big enough supply. | ||
| sufficient (adjective) | enough (not sufficient money to buy food). | ||
| suffix (noun) | a syllable added to the end of a word (e.g. -ness, -ly) to change its use or meaning. | ||
| suffocate (verb) | 1 to choke for lack of air (people suffocating in the heat). 2 to kill by preventing from breathing. n suffocation | ||
| suffocation | Collective noun for aunts (A suffocation of aunts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| suffrage (noun) | (formal) the right to vote in elections. n suffragist a person who believes in giving people the right to vote. | ||
| suffragette (noun) | in the nineteenth century, a woman who claimed and obtained the right for women to vote (Susan B Anthony was a suffragette). | ||
| suffuse (verb) | (formal) to spread over (a blush suffusing her cheeks). n suffusion | ||
| sugar (noun) | a sweet substance manufactured from sugar cane, beets, etc. vb 1 to sweeten with sugar (sugared the strawberries) 2 to try to make more acceptable (try to sugar the insult). adj sugary | ||
| sugar beet (noun) | a plant with a root from which sugar is obtained. | ||
| sugar cane (noun) | a tall, stiff reed from which sugar is obtained. | ||
| sugarcoat (verb) | 1 to cover or coat with sugar. 2 to make something unpleasant not seem so bad. | ||
| suggest (verb) | 1 to put forward (suggest some improvements). 2 to hint (she thought that he was suggesting that she was a liar). 3 to cause an idea to come into the mind (a perfume suggesting roses). | ||
| suggestion (noun) | 1 a proposal. 2 a hint. | ||
| suggestive (adjective) | 1 putting ideas into the mind (suggestive of Victorian times). 2 rather indecent (suggestive remarks about her appearance). | ||
| suicide (noun) | 1 the killing of oneself on purpose. 2 a person who kills himself or herself on purpose (the police found the suicide). adj suicidal | ||
| Suicidology | study of suicide (see list of branches of science) | ||
| suit (verb) | 1 to please or satisfy (it suits him to go). 2 to go well with. 3 to look nice on (a dress that suits her). n 1 a set of clothes of the same material (a business suit). 2 attentions paid to a lady with the intention of marrying her. 3 one of the four sets (hearts, clubs, spades and diamonds) in a pack of playing cards. follow suit 1 to play a card from the same suit. 2 to do the same as or follow the example of another (he left and she followed suit). | ||
| suitable (adjective) | what is wanted for the purpose, fitting the occasion (suitable clothes for the job). | ||
| suitcase (noun) | a traveling bag for clothes. | ||
| suite | Collective noun for furniture (A suite of furniture) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| suite | Collective noun for rooms (A suite of rooms) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| suite (noun) | 1 a set of rooms or furniture (the bedroom suite). 2 all the attendants who wait upon a certain person. 3 a series of connected pieces of music. 4 a group of connected rooms (they booked the bridal suite in the hotel). | ||
| suitor (noun) | 1 a person making a request or asking for a favor. 2 a man paying attention to a lady with the intention of marrying her. | ||
| sulfate (noun), | also sulphate (British spelling) a salt of sulfuric acid. | ||
| sulfur (noun), | also sulphur (British spelling) a yellow non-metallic element. | ||
| sulfuric (adjective) also sulphuric (British spelling) | having to do with or containing sulfur. | ||
| sulfurous (adjective) also sulphurous (British spelling) | having to do with or like sulfur. | ||
| sulk (verb) | to behave in an ill-humored, unfriendly way, to refuse to speak to others because of ill-temper (she sulked when she didn’t get her own way). | ||
| sulky (adjective) | ill-natured, not mixing with others because of ill-humor (sulky because he didn’t get his own way). | ||
| sullen (adjective) | ill-natured, silently bad-tempered, gloomy, sad. | ||
| sultana (noun) | 1 a small white, seedless grape. 2 the dried fruit of this grape used in cakes, etc. | ||
| sultry (adjective) | very hot and close (sultry weather). | ||
| sum | Collective noun for adders (A sum of adders) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| sum (noun) | 1 the answer obtained by adding several numbers together. 2 the total or entire amount, especially of money (the sum gathered for the charity). 3 a problem in arithmetic. vb (summed , summing ) to add up. sum up to summarize. | ||
| summarize (verb), | also summarise (British spelling) to give a brief account of the main points (summarizing the discussion of the committee). | ||
| summary (noun) | a brief account of the main points (summaries of their speeches). adj 1 short. 2 done quickly or by a short method (their summary dismissal of him). | ||
| summation (noun) | the act or process of summing up or of finding a total. | ||
| summer (noun) | the warmest season of the year, generally June, July, and August in the northern hemisphere. adj summery of or like summer. | ||
| summit (noun) | 1 the highest point, the top. 2 a meeting of the heads of government, or other high-ranking officials, of several countries to discuss matters of great importance (a summit on the pollution of the environment). | ||
| summon (verb) | 1 to call upon to appear before an official (summoned by the court). 2 to call upon to do something (he summoned all his strength). | ||
| summons (noun) | an order to appear for trial by a court of law. vb to present with such on order. | ||
| sumo wrestling (noun) | a Japanese form of wrestling, performed by very large men. n sumo wrestler. | ||
| sump (noun) | a hole or hollow in which liquid collects (e.g. an oil sump in an engine). | ||
| sumptuous (adjective) | splendid, very expensive, luxurious (a sumptuous palace). | ||
| sun (noun) | 1 (often cap) the heavenly body that gives light and heat to the earth and other planets in the same system. 2 the warmth or light given by the sun. | ||
| sunbathe (verb) | to lie out in the sun. | ||
| sunblock (noun) | a preparation (usually a cream or a lotion) applied to the skin to prevent sunburn. | ||
| sunburn (noun) | a reddening of the skin’s color caused by exposure to the sun. Also vb. | ||
| sundae (noun) | ice cream served with fruit, nuts, syrup, etc. | ||
| Sunday (noun) | the first day of the week. | ||
| sundial (noun) | an instrument that tells the time by casting the shadow of an indicator on a face marked with the hours. | ||
| sun-dried (adjective) | dried by the sun (sun-dried tomatoes). | ||
| sunflower (noun) | a tall plant with a large yellow flower. | ||
| sunglasses (noun) | tinted glasses to shade the eyes from the brightness of the sun. | ||
| sunlight (noun) | the light of the sun. adj sunlit | ||
| sunny (adjective) | 1 brightly lit by the sun. 2 cheerful, happy (a sunny nature). | ||
| sunrise (noun) | the appearance of the sun above the horizon in the morning. | ||
| sunscreen | see sunblock. | ||
| sunset (noun) | the disappearance of the sun below the horizon in the evening. | ||
| sunshine (noun) | 1 the light or warmth of the sun. 2 cheerfulness (the sunshine of her nature). | ||
| sunstroke (noun) | heatstroke caused by the effect of prolonged exposure to strong sunlight on the body. | ||
| suntan (noun) | a darkening of the skin caused by the sun. | ||
| sunward (adjective) | facing the sun. | ||
| sup (verb) | (supped , supping ) 1 (old) to take supper. 2 to eat or drink in small mouthfuls. n a small mouthful. | ||
| super- | prefix above, over. | ||
| super (adjective) | outstanding, great, wonderful. | ||
| superb (adjective) | magnificent, excellent (a superb performance). | ||
| supercilious (adjective) | 1 over-proud, having a scornful manner, looking down on others (a supercilious young woman). 2 disdainful, scornful (a supercilious look). | ||
| superficial (adjective) | 1 on the surface (superficial wounds). 2 not deeply felt or thought about (a superficial knowledge). 3 shallow, incapable of deep thought or feeling (a superficial person). n superficiality | ||
| superfluity | Collective noun for nuns (A superfluity of nuns) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| superfluity | Collective noun for similes (A superfluity of similes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| superfluous (adjective) | more than enough, unnecessary (his advice was superfluous). n superfluity | ||
| superhero (noun) | an all-powerful hero of a kind found in comic books. | ||
| superhuman (adjective) | more than human, extraordinary, divine (make a superhuman effort). | ||
| superimpose (verb) | to lay on top of something else (superimposing one photograph on another). | ||
| superintend (verb) | to supervise, manage. | ||
| superintendent (noun) | 1 one who superintends. 2 a person in charge of a department, group, school, etc. | ||
| superior (adjective) | 1 higher in rank (his superior officer). 2 better (a superior player). n 1 a person higher in rank. 2 a person better than others (he is his brother’s superior on the football field). 3 the head of a monastery or convent. n superiority | ||
| superlative (adjective) | 1 excellent, above all others in quality (a superlative musical performance). 2 expressing the highest degree (best is the superlative degree of good). | ||
| superman (noun) | a man of extraordinary powers, the imagined perfect human being of the future. | ||
| supermarket (noun) | a large shop selling (usually by self service) food and household goods. | ||
| supernatural (adjective) | 1 not to be explained by natural causes (supernatural forces). 2 caused by direct divine intervention in human affairs. | ||
| supernova (noun) | an exploding star giving off millions of times more light than the sun. | ||
| supersede (verb) | to take the place of, to put another in the place of (some hobbies have been superseded by television viewing). | ||
| supersonic (adjective) | faster than sound (Concorde was a supersonic passenger aircraft). | ||
| superstition (noun) | 1 a tendency to believe that certain human beings or objects have more than natural powers. 2 belief in magic, luck, etc (the superstition that black cats are unlucky). adj superstitious | ||
| supervise (verb) | 1 to watch others to see that they do their work properly (supervising the students doing homework). 2 to be in charge of (supervised the dress department). n supervision n supervisor | ||
| supper (noun) | a light evening meal. | ||
| supple (adjective) | 1 (formal) easily bent. 2 bending or moving easily and gracefully (supple gymnasts). | ||
| supplement (noun) | 1 something added to make up what is lacking (she always took vitamin supplements in winter). 2 an addition. vb to make additions to. | ||
| supplementary (adjective) | given in addition, given to make up what is lacking (supplementary income). | ||
| suppliant (adjective) | (formal) begging for as a favor. n (formal) a person humbly asking for a favor. | ||
| supply (verb) | to provide what is needed (supplied food for the party). n 1 a store of what is needed. 2 pl stores (supplies were sent up to the base camp). | ||
| support (verb) | 1 to help to hold up (many struts supported the bridge). 2 to give help or encouragement to (support the cause). 3 to provide the necessities of life for (support a family). 4 to put up with (unable to support the noise of the machinery). n 1 a prop. 2 assistance, encouragement. 3 a person or thing that supports. adj supportive | ||
| supporter (noun) | a person who helps or encourages (supporters of the president’s cause). | ||
| suppose (verb) | 1 to believe to be true without sure evidence (we suppose that he is honest). 2 to imagine. 3 to think probable (I suppose she has gone home). adv supposedly according to what is, was, or may be supposed. | ||
| supposition (noun) | 1 a guess. 2 something taken as true or imagined. | ||
| suppress (verb) | 1 to put down, to crush (suppress the rebellion). 2 to prevent from being known (they suppressed information about the accident). n suppression | ||
| suppressant (noun) | something, especially a drug, that suppresses an action, condition, etc (cough suppressant). | ||
| Supramolecular chemistry | study of the chemistry of assembled molecular sub-units (see list of branches of science) | ||
| supremacist (noun) | a person who believes that one group is superior to others. | ||
| supremacy (noun) | the highest power or authority. | ||
| supreme (adjective) | 1 highest in power or authority. 2 greatest (supreme happiness). | ||
| sura (noun) | any of the main chapters in the Koran. | ||
| surcharge (noun) | an extra charge (a surcharge for taxis ordered after midnight). | ||
| sure (adjective) | 1 certain (I’m sure he’ll come). 2 convinced of (sure of her own ability). 3 unfailing (a sure remedy). | ||
| surely (adverb) | without doubt. | ||
| surf (noun) | the foamy water caused by waves breaking on a sloping shore. | ||
| surface (noun) | 1 the outside or top part of anything. 2 outside appearance (she seems happy on the surface but I know that inside she is really unhappy). vb to rise to the surface (divers surfacing). | ||
| surfboard | see surfing. | ||
| surfeit (noun) | too much of anything (there was a surfeit of rich food at the party). vb to overfeed. | ||
| surfing (noun) | 1 the sport of riding on the crest of large waves while standing on a long, narrow board with a rounded or pointed front end, called a surfboard 2 the act of moving from site to site on the Internet looking for something interesting. vb surf | ||
| surge (noun) | the rising of a wave; the up-and-down movement of the surface of the sea. vb to rise, to well up, as a wave. | ||
| surgeon (noun) | a doctor skilled in surgery. | ||
| surgery (noun) | 1 the art or science of curing disease by cutting the body open to fix whatever is wrong (the surgeon removed the patient’s appendix). 2 a place where a doctor sees patients. | ||
| surgical (adjective) | having to do with surgery (surgical treatment). | ||
| Suriphobia | fear of mice (see list of phobias) | ||
| surly (adjective) | gloomy and ill-humored. n surliness | ||
| surname (noun) | a person’s family name. | ||
| surpass (verb) | to do better than (his performance surpassed that of the others). | ||
| surpassing (adjective) | excellent. | ||
| surplus (noun) | the amount by which anything is more than is required (a surplus of apples that autumn). | ||
| surprise (noun) | 1 the feeling caused by what is sudden or unexpected. 2 a sudden or unexpected event, gift, piece of news, etc (it was a surprise when she arrived). vb 1 to come upon when not expected. 2 to take unawares, to startle, to astonish (surprising the enemy). adj surprising | ||
| surreal (adjective) | bizarre, strange, of or related to surrealism. | ||
| surrealism (noun) | an artistic style that focuses on the unconscious mind, dreams, and fantastic, irrational subject material. adj surrealistic | ||
| surrender (verb) | 1 to stop fighting and accept the enemy’s terms, to give up. 2 to hand over (have to surrender his passport at the border). Also n. | ||
| surrey (noun) | a light, four-wheeled carriage of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. | ||
| surrogate (noun) | 1 a substitute. 2 a woman who, by agreement, has the baby of another woman who cannot for some reason bear the child. Also adj. n surrogacy the fact or condition of being a surrogate. | ||
| surround (verb) | to go, put, or be on all sides of (trees surrounded the house). | ||
| surroundings (noun, plural) | the objects or country around a person or place (live in beautiful surroundings). | ||
| surveillance (noun) | a careful watch (he was under police surveillance). | ||
| survey (verb) | 1 to look over. 2 to look at carefully. 3 to measure an area of land and make a plan of it. n 1 a general view. 2 the measuring of a piece of land. 3 a plan made of a piece of land. | ||
| surveyor (noun) | a person who surveys land. | ||
| survival (noun) | 1 act of surviving. 2 a person or thing that has lived on from a past age. survival of the fittest the belief that only those kinds of plants, animals, etc, live on that have been able to adapt to their surroundings. | ||
| survivalist (noun) | a person who is determined to survive. | ||
| survive (verb) | 1 to live on after (she survived her husband). 2 to continue to live or exist (several were killed but she survived). | ||
| survivor (noun) | a person who has lived on, especially after a disaster (survivors of the plane crash). | ||
| susceptible (adjective) | easily influenced or affected by (susceptible to colds su-sep-ti-bi-li-tee/. | ||
| sushi (noun) | a Japanese dish of small cakes of cold rice served with raw or cooked fish, vegetables, etc. | ||
| suspect (verb) | 1 to think something is the case but have no proof (I suspect that he is leaving). 2 to mistrust, to doubt the truth of. 3 to believe to be guilty (suspect him of murder). n a person who is suspected. adj doubtful, not worthy of trust. | ||
| suspend (verb) | 1 to hang from (hooks suspended from the roof). 2 to cause to stop for a time (sales of the product have been suspended). | ||
| suspenders (noun, plural) | 1 elastic straps for holding up pants. 2 an elastic strap attached to a belt or corset having a fastener at the end, for holding up women’s stockings. | ||
| suspense (noun) | uncertainty or anxiety about what may happen in the future (the suspense of waiting for exam results). | ||
| suspension (noun) | the state of being suspended. | ||
| suspension bridge (noun) | a bridge suspended by chains or steel ropes from towers or arches. | ||
| suspicion (noun) | a feeling of doubt or mistrust. | ||
| suspicious (adjective) | doubtful, mistrustful (suspicious about his neighbor’s activities). | ||
| sustain (verb) | 1 to keep up, to support (sustain the weight of the statue). 2 to give strength to (sustained by a good meal). 3 to keep in existence over a long period (sustain his interest). 4 to undergo (sustain damage). adj sustainable able to be sustained. | ||
| sustenance (noun) | food, nourishment. | ||
| sute | Collective noun for bloodhounds (A sute of bloodhounds) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| suture (noun) | 1 the act of joining together as by sewing. 2 something, such as thread, used to stitch together two bodily surfaces. vb to join together by sewing. | ||
| SUV | abbreviation for Sport Utility Vehicle a vehicle the size of a truck that can be driven off-road. | ||
| svelte (adjective) | slender and graceful, polished, sophisticated. | ||
| swab (noun) | 1 a pad of cotton (sometimes round a stick) used for cleansing wounds, applying medicines, etc. 2 a mop for cleaning decks, etc. vb (swabbed , swabbing ) to clean with a swab. | ||
| swagger (verb) | to walk proudly; to behave boastfully (the bully swaggered down the road). Also n. | ||
| swallow1 (verb) | 1 to draw down the throat and into the stomach (swallow pills). 2 to enclose in the middle of something bigger (villages swallowed up by the growing city). 3 to believe without question (did not swallow the story). n the act of swallowing. | ||
| swallow2 (noun) | a small bird with long wings and a forked tail. | ||
| swami (noun) | a Hindu title of respect, especially for a religious leader. | ||
| swamp (noun) | wet, marshy ground. vb 1 to flood. 2 to overwhelm by great numbers or strength (swamped by letters of application). | ||
| swampy (adjective) | soft and wet, marshy. | ||
| swan (noun) | a long-necked bird of the duck family. | ||
| swank (noun) | a stylish display of dress, behavior, etc. adj swanky | ||
| swap (verb) | (swapped , swapping ) to exchange (one thing for another) (the children are swapping model cars). | ||
| swarm | Collective noun for bees (A swarm of bees) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| swarm | Collective noun for earthquakes (A swarm of earthquakes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| swarm | Collective noun for eels (A swarm of eels) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| swarm | Collective noun for flies (A swarm of flies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| swarm | Collective noun for insects (A swarm of insects) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| swarm | Collective noun for suitors (A swarm of suitors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| swarm (noun) | 1 a large number of insects (e.g. bees) moving as a group. 2 a large closely packed crowd (swarms of people going to the sales). vb 1 to come together in large numbers. 2 (of bees, etc) to leave the hive in a body. | ||
| swarthy (adjective) | dark-skinned. | ||
| swash (noun) | a body of swift, dashing water; the splashing of water or the sound of this. | ||
| swastika (noun) | an ancient symbol of a cross with four equal arms each bent at right angles. Found throughout history but during the twentieth century it was used to symbolize Nazi Germany and Nazi beliefs. | ||
| swat (verb) | (swatted , swatting ) to hit sharply, to crush (swat the flies). | ||
| swatch (noun) | a sample piece of cloth. | ||
| swathe (verb) | to wrap up in bandages or clothing. n swathe or swath. | ||
| sway (verb) | 1 to move with a rocking motion from side to side or backward and forward (trees swaying in the wind). 2 to rule, to have influence over (he’s easily swayed). n 1 a rocking movement. 2 control, rule. | ||
| swear (verb) | (pt swore , pp sworn ) 1 to promise to tell the truth. 2 to declare something is true. 3 to use bad words or bad language, to use words that are considered offensive and socially unacceptable. | ||
| sweat (noun) | 1 the moisture that oozes from the body when it is overheated, perspiration. 2 the process of sweating. vb 1 to perspire. 2 (informal) to work long and hard (sweat to pass the exams). 3 (informal) to fret and worry. | ||
| sweater (noun) | a heavy close-fitting knitted woolen outer garment for the upper body; a close-fitting garment put on over the head (wear a warm sweater over his shirt). | ||
| sweaty (adjective) | (informal) damp with perspiration (sweaty feet). | ||
| sweep (verb) | (pt, pp swept ) 1 to clean with a brush or broom (sweep the floor). 2 to move along swiftly and smoothly (the waves swept toward the shore/panic swept through the crowd). 3 to remove with an extensive or curving movement (sweep the papers into the drawer). n 1 an extensive or curving movement. 2 a quick look over. 3 a person who cleans chimneys. sweep the board to win everything offered or at stake. | ||
| sweeping (adjective) | 1 wide, extensive (sweeping changes). 2 without reservations, indiscriminate (a sweeping statement). | ||
| sweet (adjective) | 1 tasting like honey or sugar (sweet fruit). 2 having a pleasing smell (the sweet smell of roses). 3 pleasing to the senses (sweet music). 4 gentle and likeable (she’s a sweet old lady). 5 pretty (a sweet dress). n 1 a candy. 2 a dessert. adv sweetly have a sweet tooth to like eating sweet-tasting things. | ||
| sweet pea (noun) | a garden plant with sweet-smelling flowers. | ||
| sweet potato (noun) | a plant whose orange-colored root is used as a vegetable. | ||
| sweeten (verb) | to make or become sweet (sweeten the pudding with honey). n sweetener a thing that makes something sweet. n sweetening the process of making something sweet. | ||
| sweetheart (noun) | a person dearly loved, a lover. | ||
| sweetness | Collective noun for sopranos (A sweetness of sopranos) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| swell (verb) | (pp swollen ) 1 to grow larger (the lump is swelling). 2 to make or become louder (the music swelled). 3 to bulge out (with stomach swelling). 4 (of the sea) to rise and fall in large waves that do not break. n 1 movement of the sea in large waves that do not break. 2 (informal) a very well-dressed person. | ||
| swelling (noun) | a lump raised for a time on the body by a bruise, infected cut, etc (a swelling on her neck). | ||
| swelter | Collective noun for blankets (A swelter of blankets) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| swelter (verb) | to be very hot, to be uncomfortable because of great heat (tourists sweltering in high temperatures). adj sweltering | ||
| swerve (verb) | to turn or move suddenly to one side (the driver swerved to avoid the dog). Also n. | ||
| swift (adjective) | quick-moving, speedy. | ||
| swig (verb) | (swigged , swigging ) (informal) to drink in large mouthfuls. n (informal) a large mouthful (a swig of water). | ||
| swim (verb) | (swam , swimming , pp swum ) 1 to move through the water by moving the arms and legs. 2 to float in or on the top of (a stew swimming with fat). 3 to be dizzy (with head swimming). n act of swimming. n swimmer in the swim knowing what is going on, knowing important people. | ||
| swimmingly (adverb) | smoothly, with great success (everything went swimmingly). | ||
| swimsuit (noun) | a bathing suit; a garment worn for swimming. | ||
| swimwear (noun) | garments worn for swimming. | ||
| swindle (verb) | to cheat. n a deception intended to cheat people, a fraud (the cheap holiday offer was a swindle). | ||
| swindler (noun) | a cheat, a person who tricks people out of money. | ||
| swine (noun) | (pl swine) 1 a pig. 2 (informal) a nasty person. | ||
| swing (verb) | (pt, pp swung ) 1 to move to and fro, especially when suspended from above (children swinging from a branch). 2 to whirl around (dancers swinging). 3 to turn around when at anchor. 4 to walk quickly with a swaying movement (swing along the promenade). n 1 a seat suspended by ropes, etc, on which a person can swing to and fro (the swings in the park). 2 a swinging movement. 3 a type of jazz music. 4 a long-range blow given with a curved arm. in full swing in progress (the party was in full swing). | ||
| swinging (adjective) | 1 moving to and fro. 2 done with a swing. 3 (informal) lively, fashionable. | ||
| swipe (verb) | 1 to hit hard with a swinging movement (swipe the mosquito). 2 to pass (a swipe card) through an electronic reader. 3 (informal) to steal. n a sweeping blow. | ||
| swipe card (noun) | a small plastic card with coded information which is passed through an electronic device which reads this information. | ||
| swirl | Collective noun for paisleys (A swirl of paisleys) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| swirl (verb) | to flow or move with a circular motion (her skirt swirled). n a circular motion of water. | ||
| swish (noun) | the sound made by a light or thin object moving through the air (the swish of her skirt). vb to move through the air with a swish. adj smart and expensive (a swish hotel). | ||
| switch (noun) | 1 an easily bent stick. 2 a small lever for turning on and off electric current (the light switch). vb 1 to hit with a switch. 2 to turn electric current on or off. 3 to change suddenly (switch courses). | ||
| switchboard (noun) | a board at which connection can be made between one telephone line and another. | ||
| swivel (noun) | a ring that turns freely around a stable pin. vb (swiveled , swiveling , also swivelled, swivelling [Br]) to turn around, as on a swivel. | ||
| swoon (verb) | to faint. n a fainting turn. | ||
| swoop (verb) | 1 to fly down upon with a sudden swift movement (hawks swooping). 2 to come upon swiftly and suddenly (the police swooped on the smugglers in a dawn raid). n 1 a sudden downward rush. 2 a sudden attack. | ||
| sword (noun) | a weapon with a long blade and sharp point for cutting or thrusting. | ||
| swordfish (noun) | a large fish whose upper jaw sticks out and comes to a point like a sword. | ||
| sycamore (noun) | a large tree, of the same family as the maple and fig tree. | ||
| sycophant (noun) | a person who flatters another to gain his or her favor. adj sycophantic | ||
| syllable (noun) | a part of a word or a word containing one vowel sound. adj syllabic | ||
| syllabus (noun) | a plan for a course of study, giving subjects to be studied, times of classes, etc. | ||
| symbol (noun) | 1 an emblem or sign made to stand for or represent something else (Ag is the symbol for silver). 2 a sign that all recognize as bearing a certain meaning (the symbol of peace is an olive branch). | ||
| symbolic (adjective) | standing for or representing something else. adv symbolically | ||
| symbolism (noun) | the use of symbols. | ||
| symbolize (verb), | also symbolise (British spelling) to stand as a sign for (an olive branch symbolizing peace). | ||
| Symbology | study of symbols (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Symbolophobia | fear of symbolism (see list of phobias) | ||
| symmetrical (adjective) | 1 having a balanced or regular design (symmetrical patterns). 2 graceful because the parts are in pleasing proportion to each other and to the whole. | ||
| Symmetrophobia | fear of symmetry (see list of phobias) | ||
| symmetry (noun) | 1 sameness between the two halves of a design. 2 a pleasing similarity or contrast between parts, beauty resulting from graceful proportions. | ||
| sympathetic (adjective) | showing or feeling understanding or pity. | ||
| sympathize (verb), | also sympathise (British spelling) 1 to feel with and for another. 2 to be in agreement with. | ||
| sympathy (noun) | 1 understanding of the sorrow or distress of another, pity. 2 agreement with the opinion of another (in sympathy with his views on the environment). | ||
| symphony (noun) | 1 a piece of music written for a full orchestra. 2 (lit) a pleasant unison of sounds, colors, etc. adj symphonic | ||
| symptom (noun) | 1 a sign or mark by which something can be recognized. 2 one of the signs by which a doctor is able to recognize the disease affecting a patient. adj symptomatic | ||
| Symptomatology | study of symptoms of illness (see list of branches of science) | ||
| synagogue (noun) | a place where Jewish people go to worship. | ||
| synapse | Collective noun for neurologists (A synapse of neurologists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| synchronize (verb), | also synchronise (British spelling) 1 to happen or cause to happen at the same time (synchronize our plans). 2 to set to exactly the same time (synchronizing watches). | ||
| syncopate (verb) | to change the rhythm of music by beginning or ending notes slightly sooner or later than expected. n syncopation | ||
| syndicate | Collective noun for capitalists (A syndicate of capitalists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| syndicate (noun) | 1 a group of persons or companies who are working together for business reasons or financial gain. vb 1 to join together in a syndicate. 2 to sell for publication in more than one journal, newspaper, etc (syndicating his column across the United States). | ||
| syndrome (noun) | a number of symptoms occurring together making a specific disease or condition. | ||
| Synecology | study of ecological communities (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Synectics | study of processes of invention (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Syngenesophobia | fear of relatives (see list of phobias) | ||
| synonym (noun) | a word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. | ||
| synonymous (adjective) | having the same meaning. | ||
| synopsis (noun) | a summary; a short account of the main happenings or ideas in a book. | ||
| Syntax | study of sentence structure (see list of branches of science) | ||
| syntax (noun) | the putting of words in a sentence in order and in the correct relation to each other. adj syntactic(al) | ||
| synthesis (noun) | the putting together of parts to make a whole. | ||
| synthetic (adjective) | made or put together by artificial means, not naturally (synthetic materials). | ||
| Syphilology | study of syphilis (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Syphilophobia | fear of syphilis (see list of phobias) | ||
| syphon | see siphon. | ||
| syringe (noun) | a tube filled with a piston by means of which fluid can be drawn up or squirted out. vb to squirt or spray with a syringe. | ||
| syrup (noun) | 1 any thick, sweet-tasting liquid (he loved maple syrup on his pancakes). 2 the thick liquid obtained when refining cane sugar (she loved bread and butter with syrup). | ||
| system (noun) | 1 a method by which a number of parts of different kinds are made to work together as a unified whole (the nervous system the solar system). 2 a regular method of doing things (he has no system in working). 3 a plan (a system for winning the lottery). | ||
| systematic (adjective) | methodical, arranged in an orderly or reasonable manner, following a pre-arranged plan. | ||
| Systematics | study of the diversification of living forms, both past and present (see list of branches of science) | ||
| systematize (verb), | also systematise (British spelling) to reduce to a system. | ||
| Systematology | study of systems (see list of branches of science) | ||
T
| T, t (noun) | the twentieth letter of the alphabet. | ||
| tab (noun) | a small piece of paper, fabric, etc, sticking out from something larger; a small flap (the tab on the box of detergent). | ||
| tabby (adjective) | with a grey or brown striped or wavy appearance. n 1 a tabby cat. 2 a female cat | ||
| tabernacle (noun) | a place of worship. | ||
| table | Collective noun for actuaries (A table of actuaries) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| table (noun) | 1 an article of furniture with legs and a flat top, used for placing or resting things on (the dining table). 2 a list of figures, names, facts, etc, arranged in columns (a table showing the times of the buses). vb to put forward for discussion (tabling a motion). turn the tables on to begin doing to another what he or she has been doing to you. | ||
| table cloth (noun) | a piece of material that is spread over a dining table. | ||
| table manners (noun, plural) | good behavior while at the dinner table. | ||
| table tennis (noun) | a game like tennis, played with paddles and a light plastic ball on a table with a net across the middle. | ||
| tableau (noun) | (pl tableaux ) a scene in which people stand motionless as if figures in a picture (the pageant consisted of a series of historical tableaux). | ||
| tablespoon (noun) | a large spoon used for serving at table or as a measure in cooking. | ||
| tablet (noun) | 1 a piece of cardboard or flat piece of metal or stone with some writing or signs on it (a tablet on the wall in memory of a local hero). 2 a small flat slab (a tablet of soap). 3 a pill (sleeping tablets). | ||
| tabloid (noun) | a small-format newspaper usually with emphasis on photographs and news in condensed form. | ||
| taboo (adjective) | set apart so as not to be touched or used, forbidden for religious reasons or because it is against social custom (alcohol is taboo in Muslim countries). n an order not to touch or use something. | ||
| tabular (adjective) | set out in columns or tables (information in tabular form). | ||
| tabulate (verb) | to arrange in columns or tables in a systematic way (tabulate the results of the experiment). n tabulation , tabulator | ||
| Tachophobia | fear of speed (see list of phobias) | ||
| tacit (adjective) | thought or intended, but not spoken (tacit agreement). | ||
| taciturn (adjective) | speaking little, silent by nature (he was so taciturn that it was difficult to get to know him). n taciturnity | ||
| tack (noun) | 1 a small sharp nail with a broad head. 2 a long loose stitch. 3 the zigzag course of a sailing ship when sailing against the wind. vb 1 to nail with tacks (tack the notice to the wall). 2 to sew with long loose stitches. 3 (of a sailing ship) to change course to catch the wind. 4 to add on (they had tacked an extra question onto the test paper). on the wrong tack on the wrong trail (the police were on the wrong tack in the murder investigation). | ||
| tackle (noun) | 1 all the equipment needed for some sport or game (fishing tackle). 2 all the things necessary for a task. 3 a series of ropes, pulleys, etc, for raising weights, sails, etc. vb 1 to struggle with, to seize and pull down (tackle the bank robber). 2 (in hockey) to prevent from advancing with the ball. 3 to try to do (tackle the job). 4 to speak to or put questions to (he tackled him about the unemployment issue). | ||
| tacky1 (adjective) | sticky (the paint is still tacky). n tackiness | ||
| tacky2 (adjective) | (informal) cheap, in bad taste (tacky décor). n tackiness | ||
| taco (noun) | a tortilla that is fried until crisp and folded, with a filling, used in Mexican cooking. | ||
| tact (noun) | the ability to speak or behave without hurting the feelings of others; consideration (because of her tact and diplomacy she managed to avoid giving any offence). adj tactful , tactless adv tactfully , tactlessly | ||
| tactical (adjective) | having to do with tactics (tactical military maneuvers). adv tactically | ||
| tactician (noun) | 1 someone who is skilled in tactics. 2 someone who is quick to see a possible advantage. | ||
| tactics (noun, plural) | 1 the art of moving armies or other warlike forces during battle. 2 any actions intended to gain an immediate advantage (they discussed the tactics required to win the match). | ||
| tactile (adjective) | having to do with the sense of touch (the tactile qualities). | ||
| tadpole (noun) | the young of a frog, toad, etc, just after it has come out of the egg. | ||
| Taeniophobia | fear of tapeworms (see list of phobias) | ||
| taffeta (noun) | a shiny silk material. | ||
| tag1 (noun) | 1 the metal point at the end of a shoe-lace. 2 an address label. 3 a common quotation or saying. vb (tagged , tagging ) to fasten on. | ||
| tag2 (noun), | also tig a children’s game in which one child chases the others, and the first child he or she catches and taps on the shoulder then becomes the chaser. | ||
| tail (noun) | 1 a long hanging part of an animal’s body, situated at the end of the spine. 2 the back part of anything (the tail of the line). | ||
| tail end (noun) | the last or back part (the tail end of his speech). | ||
| tail light (noun) | the light at the back of a vehicle. | ||
| tailcoat (noun) | a man’s coat, short in front, long and divided down the middle at the back. | ||
| tailgate (noun) | a board for closing the back of a cart or truck. vb to drive too closely to another vehicle. | ||
| tailor (noun) | a person who makes clothing, especially for men. vb to make clothing. | ||
| tails (noun, plural) | 1 the reverse side of a coin. 2 a tailcoat. | ||
| taint (verb) | to spoil or make bad (tainted meat/taint his reputation). n 1 a stain; an evil element that spoils the rest. 2 a mark of shame or disgrace. | ||
| take (verb) | (pt took , pp taken ) 1 to seize or grasp. 2 to receive or accept. 3 to capture (the army took the city). 4 to carry. 5 to travel by (bus, etc). 6 to eat (take fruit). 7 to require (numbers, time, material, etc). take after to be like. take down to write (notes, etc). take for to think to be (they took him for a fool). take heart to become braver. take in 1 to deceive (they pretended to be working men and took in the old lady). 2 to understand (scarcely able to take in the news). 3 to make (a garment) smaller. take off 1 to remove. 2 to leave the ground when beginning to fly. 3 to imitate mockingly (to take off their boss). take on to agree to play or fight against. take over to get control of (take over the running of the store). take place to happen. take to to begin to like (he did not take to her). take up to begin to do or study. take up with to begin to go about with. | ||
| take-out (noun) | ready-cooked food bought from a restaurant or store to be eaten elsewhere. | ||
| takeover (noun) | an instance of getting control if something, especially a business. | ||
| talc (noun) | 1 a glass-like mineral. 2 a fine powder for the skin made from this. | ||
| talcum powder (noun) | a fine, perfumed powder made from talc (powder the baby with talcum). | ||
| tale (noun) | a story. | ||
| talent (noun) | special ability or skill (a talent for dealing with people). | ||
| talented (adjective) | very clever. | ||
| talisman (noun) | (pl talismans ) an object, word, or words supposed to possess magic powers. | ||
| talk (verb) | to speak. n 1 a conversation. 2 a lecture (a talk on local history). 3 gossip (there is a lot of talk about their affair). talk over to discuss. talk (someone) around to convince. talk to to scold. | ||
| talkative (adjective) | fond of talking. | ||
| tall (adjective) | 1 high (he was over six feet tall). 2 above the usual height. | ||
| tallow (noun) | the melted fat of animals. | ||
| tally (noun) | 1 an account. 2 a score or count (keep a tally of money spent). vb to agree with, to fit (his account of events does not tally with hers). | ||
| Talmud (noun) | the Jewish system of law. | ||
| talon (noun) | the claw of a bird of prey (the eagle’s talons). | ||
| tamale (noun) | a Mexican dish of spicy chopped meat rolled in cornmeal dough. It is cooked by steaming. | ||
| tambourine (noun) | a small one-sided drum with rattling metal disks around its sides, played by hand. | ||
| tame (adjective) | 1 not wild. 2 trained to be obedient. 3 not exciting, dull (life in the little village was considered tame). vb to make tame. | ||
| tamper (verb) | to meddle with, to interfere with dishonestly or unlawfully (tamper with the evidence). | ||
| tan (noun) | 1 bark of trees crushed for use in preparing leather. 2 a light brown color. 3 suntan (hope to get a tan on vacation). vb (tanned , tanning ) 1 to treat animal skins so as to turn them into leather. 2 to make or become brown from sunburn. adj light brown in color (tan shoes). | ||
| tandem (adjective) | one behind the other. n a bicycle for two persons, one sitting behind the other. | ||
| tandoori (noun) | an Indian way of cooking meat in a clay pot. | ||
| tang (noun) | 1 a sharp taste (the tang of the sea air). 2 a characteristic flavor. | ||
| tangent (noun) | a straight line touching a circle but not cutting it. go off at a tangent to begin talking about something quite different (his speech was difficult to follow as he would often go off at a tangent). | ||
| tangible (adjective) | 1 able to be touched. 2 real, actual (no tangible evidence). adv tangibly | ||
| tangle (verb) | 1 to interweave in a confused way that is difficult to undo. 2 to muddle. n 1 a mass of confusedly interwoven thread, string, etc. 2 a muddle, a complication. | ||
| tango (noun) | a South American dance. | ||
| tank (noun) | 1 a large container for storing water, oil, etc. 2 a fighting vehicle protected by thick metal plates and moving on caterpillar tracks (he watched the enemy tanks advance). | ||
| tankard (noun) | a large metal drinking mug (a tankard of beer). | ||
| tanker (noun) | a cargo ship with tanks for carrying oil. | ||
| tanned (adjective) | 1 made brown by the sun (they were tanned after their vacation). 2 made into leather. | ||
| tannery (noun) | a place where leather is made. | ||
| tannic (adjective) | having to do with tannin (tannic acid). | ||
| tannin (noun) | a substance found in the bark of the oak and certain other trees, used in tanning leather. | ||
| tantalize (verb), | also tantalise (British spelling) to torment by raising false hopes (hungry people tantalized by the cooking smells). | ||
| tantrum | Collective noun for decorators (A tantrum of decorators) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tantrum (noun) | a fit of bad temper or ill-humor (the child had a tantrum). | ||
| tap1 (noun) | 1 a stopper. 2 (British spelling) faucet. vb (tapped , tapping ) 1 to fit with a tap. 2 to draw liquid out of. 3 to obtain information from. | ||
| tap2 (verb) | (tapped , tapping ) 1 to strike lightly (tap him on the shoulder). 2 to knock gently (tap the door). Also n. | ||
| tap-dance (verb) | to dance with shoes with metal plates on the soles, making elaborate tapping sounds on the floor. n tap-dancer , tap-dancing | ||
| tape (noun) | 1 a long narrow strip of cloth, paper, or sticky material (he used tape to seal the parcel). 2 a sensitized strip for recording and transmitting sound or pictures (audio-tape). Also vb. | ||
| tape measure (noun) | a strong tape of cloth, metal, etc, used for measuring (measure her waist with a tape measure). | ||
| tape recorder (noun) | a machine for recording and transmitting sounds on magnetic tape. n tape-recording | ||
| taper (noun) | a long wick coated with wax, like a thin candle. vb to become narrow or thinner at one end. | ||
| tapestry (noun) | a large piece of cloth in which different colored threads are worked together to make a picture, sometimes hung on walls as a decoration. | ||
| tapeworm (noun) | a long tape-like worm sometimes found in the intestines. | ||
| Taphephobia | fear of being buried alive or of cemeteries (see list of phobias) | ||
| Taphophobia | fear of being buried alive or of cemeteries (see list of phobias) | ||
| Tapinophobia | fear of being contagious (see list of phobias) | ||
| tapioca (noun) | 1 an edible grain obtained from a West Indian plant. 2 a pudding made from it. | ||
| tapir (noun) | a pig-like animal of South America. | ||
| tar (noun) | 1 a thick black sticky substance obtained from wood or coal (get tar on his shoes from the road). 2 (old) a sailor. vb (tarred , tarring ) to coat with tar. | ||
| tarantula (noun) | a large poisonous spider. | ||
| tardy (adjective) | (old) slow, late (tardy in making a decision). n tardiness | ||
| target (noun) | 1 something set up for aiming or shooting at (the archers set up a target). 2 a goal or result that you hope to achieve (the charity’s target was $20,000). vb to make someone the object or focus of something (they wanted to target single parents with their advertising campaign). | ||
| tariff (noun) | 1 the tax to be paid on an imported commodity. 2 a list of the taxes to be paid on imported goods. 3 a list of charges. | ||
| tarnish (verb) | 1 to make less bright, to discolor (it tarnished with age). 2 to spoil (tarnish their reputation). | ||
| tarpaulin (noun) | strong cloth or canvas covered with tar to make it waterproof (cover the load in the trailer with a tarpaulin). | ||
| tarragon (noun) | a plant with leaves that are used to add flavor in cooking. | ||
| tarry1 (adjective) | coated with tar. | ||
| tarry2 (verb) | (old or lit) to stay, to delay, to wait behind. | ||
| tart1 (noun) | a pastry containing jam or fruit. | ||
| tart2 (adjective) | 1 sharp-tasting (a tart sauce). 2 sour, biting, sarcastic (tart remarks). | ||
| tartan (noun) | a plaid cloth with stripes and squares of different colors, especially when worn as part of Scottish Highland dress. | ||
| tartar (noun) | 1 a crust of lime left by wine in a barrel. 2 a hard substance that forms on the teeth. 3 a hot-tempered person, a person who is hard to manage (everyone is frightened of her, she is a real tartar). | ||
| task (noun) | a piece of work to be done (given the task of washing the dishes). vb to lay upon as a burden. | ||
| task force (noun) | a group of people brought together to deal with a particular problem (a police task force appointed to reduce youth crime). | ||
| taskmaster (noun) | (old) a person who sets work to be done and sees that it is done properly. | ||
| tassel (noun) | an ornamental knot with loose threads hanging down from it (a beret with a tassel on it). | ||
| taste (noun) | 1 the sense by which you judge whether food is pleasant or unpleasant (she had a cold and lost her sense of taste). 2 the ability to distinguish what is fine, beautiful, or correct from what is not so (have good taste in decor). 3 the flavor of food when eaten (soup lacking in taste). 4 a small portion of food for testing. vb 1 to eat to see whether pleasant or unpleasant. 2 to have a flavor (of) (this tastes of lemon). | ||
| tasteful (adjective) | showing good taste or judgment (tasteful wallpaper). adv tastefully | ||
| tasteless (adjective) | 1 having no flavor (tasteless food). 2 showing bad taste or judgment (a tasteless remark). | ||
| tasty (adjective) | having a pleasing flavor (tasty food). | ||
| tattered (adjective) | ragged (tattered clothing). | ||
| tatters (noun, plural) | ragged clothing. | ||
| tattle (verb) | to tell someone in authority about another’s mistake or wrongdoing to get them into trouble. | ||
| tattletale (noun) | a person who tells others, in a gossipy way, about someone’s mistakes, wrongdoings or secrets to get them into trouble. | ||
| tattoo1 (verb) | to make a colored design on the skin by pricking holes in it and filling them with colored matter (he tattooed her arm with a red butterfly). Also n. | ||
| tattoo2 (noun) | 1 beating of a drum, blowing of a bugle, etc, to recall soldiers to camp at night. 2 a night display of military drill, exercises, etc, to music. | ||
| tatty (adjective) | shabby, worn (a tatty old coat). | ||
| taught (past tense) | of teach. | ||
| taunt (verb) | to make fun of in order to hurt; to mock, to sneer at (taunt the boy because he is poor). n a mocking or hurtful remark. | ||
| Taurophobia | fear of bulls (see list of phobias) | ||
| taut (adjective) | stretched tight (pull the rope taut). | ||
| tautology (noun) | saying the same thing again in different words. adj tautological | ||
| tavern (noun) | an inn, a bar. | ||
| tawdry (adjective) | showy but cheap or of bad quality (a store selling tawdry souvenirs). n tawdriness | ||
| tawny (adjective) | yellowish-brown. | ||
| tax (noun) | money paid to the government to help pay for public services. vb 1 to raise a tax. 2 to charge a tax on. 3 to accuse (tax him with cruelty). 4 to be a hard test for (tax his strength). adj taxable | ||
| taxation (noun) | 1 all the taxes paid. 2 the charging of taxes. | ||
| taxi (noun) | a motor car for hire, especially one fitted with a machine (taximeter) showing the amount to be paid as a fare. Also taxicab vb (of an airplane) to run along the ground (planes taxied down the runway). | ||
| taxidermist (noun) | a person who is skilled in taxidermy. | ||
| taxidermy (noun) | the art of stuffing the skins of dead animals to make them look like living animals. | ||
| Taxonomy | study of plant, animals and microorganisms classification (see list of branches of science) | ||
| tea (noun) | 1 a shrub found in India and China. 2 its leaves dried. 3 a drink made by pouring boiling water on dried tea leaves (a cup of tea). 4 a light afternoon or evening meal (invite them to tea). | ||
| teach (verb) | (pt, pp taught ) 1 to give information about (teach English). 2 to show how to do something (she taught him how to drive). 3 to give lessons to (teach elementary students). n teaching | ||
| teacher (noun) | 1 a person who teaches (a piano teacher). 2 a schoolmaster or schoolmistress. | ||
| teak (noun) | an Indian tree producing very hard wood (a table made of teak). | ||
| teal (noun) | a small freshwater wild duck. | ||
| team | Collective noun for athletes (A team of athletes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| team | Collective noun for footballers (A team of footballers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| team | Collective noun for players (A team of players) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| team | Collective noun for workers (A team of workers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| team (noun) | 1 a number of persons working together for the same purpose (a team of workers). 2 a set of players on one side in a game (a baseball team). 3 a number of horses, oxen, etc, harnessed together. | ||
| teamwork (noun) | united effort for the common good. | ||
| tear gas (noun) | a gas that makes your eyes water, sometimes used to disperse a crowd | ||
| tear1 (noun) | a drop of water appearing in or falling from the eyes (the tragedy brought tears to his eyes). | ||
| tear2 (verb) | (pt tore , pp torn ) 1 to pull apart or into pieces (tear paper). 2 to pull with violence (tear her hair). 3 (informal) to rush (she tore upstairs). n a hole or division made by tearing (there was a tear in her jacket). | ||
| tearful (adjective) | weeping (in a tearful mood). adv tearfully | ||
| tease (verb) | 1 to annoy by making fun of. 2 to pull apart wool, hair, etc, into separate strands. 3 to comb wool to give it a hairy surface. n a person who annoys another by teasing. | ||
| teaser (noun) | a difficult problem. | ||
| teaspoon (noun) | a small spoon for use with tea or as a measure in cooking. | ||
| teat (noun) | 1 the part of the breast from which milk may be sucked or drawn. 2 (British spelling) a rubber attachment through which a baby sucks milk from a bottle; a nipple. | ||
| technical (adjective) | having to do with a particular art, science, or craft (technical language). | ||
| technicality (noun) | 1 a technical word or phrase. 2 a small detail or rule (disqualified on a technicality). | ||
| technically (adverb) | strictly speaking (the tomato is, technically, a fruit). | ||
| technician (noun) | a person who is skilled in a particular art or craft. | ||
| technique (noun) | the method of doing something that requires skill (his technique as a portrait painter). | ||
| technology (noun) | 1 the application of science, especially to industrial or commercial objectives. 2 the methods, theory, and practices governing such application (a highly developed technology). adj technological n technologist | ||
| Technophobia | fear of technology (see list of phobias) | ||
| Tectonics | study of structure of objects, buildings and landforms (see list of branches of science) | ||
| teddy , teddy bear (noun) | a child’s toy bear. | ||
| tedious (adjective) | long and boring, tiresome (it was a tedious job). | ||
| tedium (noun) | boredom; long-drawn-out dullness (the tedium of factory work). | ||
| tee (noun) | 1 the starting place for each “hole” in golf. 2 a peg or small mound on which the ball may be placed for the first shot at each “hole” in golf. | ||
| teem (verb) | to be full of (rivers teeming with fish). | ||
| teenager (noun) | a person who is aged between thirteen and nineteen. adj teenage | ||
| teens (noun, plural) | the ages from 13 to 19. | ||
| teethe (verb) | plural of tooth. | ||
| teethe (verb) | to grow your first teeth (babies teething). | ||
| teetotal (adjective) | taking no alcoholic drinks. n teetotaler , also teetotaller (British spelling) | ||
| Tegestology | collection of beermats or coasters (see list of hobbies) | ||
| tele- | prefix far, at, or to a distance. | ||
| telecommunications (noun) | the technology or industry involved in transmitting information electronically over long distances by means of wires, radio signals, satellite, etc. | ||
| telegram (noun) | a message sent by telegraph. | ||
| telegraph (noun) | an apparatus for sending messages over a distance, especially by means of electricity. vb to send by telegraph. adj telegraphic n telegraphy | ||
| Teleology | study of final causes; analysis in terms of purpose (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Teleophobia | fear of definite plans (see list of phobias) | ||
| telepathy (noun) | the power to pass thoughts to, or receive them from, another, even if far away, without the use of words or signs (he knew by telepathy that his sister was sick). | ||
| telephone (noun) | an apparatus by means of which you may speak with a person at a distance by means of electric currents carried along wires. vb to speak with or communicate by telephone (he telephoned his doctor). abbreviation phone. | ||
| telephonist (noun) | (British) a person who operates a telephone switchboard; operator. | ||
| Telephonophobia | fear of telephones (see list of phobias) | ||
| telephoto lens (noun) | a lens on a camera enabling it to take pictures from a great distance. | ||
| telescope (noun) | an instrument consisting of lenses set in a tube or tubes that, when looked through, makes distant objects appear larger. vb 1 to slide together, one section fitting into another, as with a telescope. 2 to become shorter by one part sliding over the other. | ||
| telescopic (adjective) | 1 having to do with a telescope. 2 able to be seen only by means of a telescope (a telescopic image). 3 something that telescopes (a telescopic umbrella). | ||
| televise (verb) | to transmit by television. | ||
| television (noun) | 1 the transmission of moving images, generally with accompanying sound, via electric or electromagnetic signals. 2 the apparatus (also called a television set or TV) designed to receive and convert these incoming electric signals (he bought himself a new TV). | ||
| tell (verb) | (pt, pp told ) 1 to give an account of. 2 to let another know of by speaking to them. 3 to count. 4 to have an effect (his illness is telling on him). | ||
| teller (noun) | 1 a bank clerk who receives and pays out cash. 2 a person who is appointed to count votes. | ||
| telling (adjective) | very effective (a telling remark). | ||
| tell-tale (adjective) | 1 giving information (tell-tale signs). 2 revealing what was meant to be secret. n a person who tells what another has done to get him or her into trouble. | ||
| Telmatology | study of swamps (see list of branches of science) | ||
| temerity (noun) | boldness, rashness (he had the temerity to question the judge). | ||
| temper (noun) | 1 anger (in a real temper). 2 mood, state of mind (in a good temper). 3 the correct hardness of metal. vb 1 to make less severe. 2 to harden (metal). 3 to mix in proper proportions. | ||
| temperament (noun) | 1 your character. 2 the usual state of your mind or feelings. | ||
| temperamental (adjective) | easily excited, changing mood quickly. adv temperamentally | ||
| temperate (adjective) | 1 taking neither too much nor too little. 2 neither too hot nor too cold (a temperate climate). | ||
| temperature (noun) | degree of heat or cold. take your temperature to find the degree of heat of your body (take the baby’s temperature). | ||
| tempest (noun) | a violent storm. | ||
| Tempestology | study of tropical cyclones, e.g. hurricanes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| tempestuous (adjective) | very stormy; violent (a tempestuous relationship). | ||
| template (noun) | a pattern or mold used as a guide for shaping things. | ||
| temple1 (noun) | 1 a place of worship. 2 a church. | ||
| temple2 (noun) | the side of the head above the end of the cheekbone and between the ear and the forehead. | ||
| tempo (noun) | (pl tempos or tempi ) the speed at which a piece of music is played. | ||
| temporal (adjective) | 1 (formal) having to do with time. 2 worldly; having to do with life on earth. | ||
| temporary (adjective) | lasting for a time only, not permanent (a temporary job). adv temporarily | ||
| tempt (verb) | 1 to try to get someone to do what he or she ought not to do (he tried to tempt her with another drink). 2 to arouse desire in. n tempter , temptress | ||
| temptation (noun) | 1 the desire to have or do something that you know you should avoid. 2 something or someone that tempts. | ||
| tempting (adjective) | 1 attractive. 2 arousing desire. | ||
| ten (noun) | the number 10, coming between nine and eleven. | ||
| tenacious (adjective) | 1 holding on firmly (a tenacious hold on the branch). 2 not giving in easily, stubborn (a tenacious fighter). adv tenaciously n tenacity | ||
| tenancy (noun) | 1 the renting of property. 2 property for which a rent is paid. 3 the time during which you rent property. | ||
| tenant (noun) | a person who occupies rented property. | ||
| tend1 (verb) | 1 to incline to (he tends to get angry very easily). 2 to have a leaning toward (he tends to be shy in company). | ||
| tend2 (verb) | to care for, to look after (tend sheep). | ||
| tendency (noun) | a leaning toward, an inclination or liability to do certain things more than others (a tendency to drink too much). | ||
| tender1 (adjective) | 1 soft, gentle, and loving. 2 easily hurt. adv tenderly n tenderness | ||
| tender2 (verb) | (formal) to offer or present (he came to tender his resignation). n an offer, especially one to do work at a certain price. | ||
| tender3 (noun) | 1 a small boat carrying stores, etc, to a larger one. 2 a wagon or truck attached to a locomotive to carry coal, water, etc, for it. | ||
| tendon (noun) | a strong cord-like band joining a muscle to a bone. | ||
| tendril (noun) | 1 a slender curling shoot by which some plants cling to supports when climbing. 2 a wispy curl of hair. | ||
| tenement (noun) | an apartment building, especially a rundown and crowded one in the city. | ||
| tenet | Collective noun for palindromes (A tenet of palindromes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tennis (noun) | a game played across a net by striking a ball to and fro with rackets. | ||
| tenor (noun) | 1 the higher men’s singing voice in the ordinary range. 2 the general meaning (the tenor of his speech). | ||
| tense1 (noun) | a set of forms of the verb that indicate time. | ||
| tense2 (adjective) | 1 stretched tight (keep the rope tense). 2 strained (his job makes him feel tense). 3 excited from expectation (tense with excitement). adv tensely. | ||
| tension (noun) | 1 act of stretching. 2 tightness, strain. 3 excitement due to expectation. | ||
| tent (noun) | a portable shelter of canvas, supported by poles, stretched and held in position by cords. | ||
| tentacle (noun) | a slender boneless limb of various creatures, used for feeling, gripping, or moving (the tentacles of an octopus). | ||
| tentative (adjective) | done as an experiment or trial (a tentative approach). adv tentatively | ||
| tenterhooks (noun, plural) | on tenterhooks anxious or excited because of doubt or suspense (on tenterhooks waiting for the exam results). | ||
| tenth (adjective) | 10th, coming after nine others. n one of ten equal parts. | ||
| tenuous (adjective) | thin, slender (a tenuous connection between the events). | ||
| tenure | Collective noun for professors (A tenure of professors) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tenure (noun) | the holding or conditions of holding land, office, etc. | ||
| tepee (noun) | a cone-shaped Native American tent made of skins. | ||
| tepid (adjective) | lukewarm (a tepid bath). | ||
| Teratology | study of birth defects and later abnormalities in living organisms (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Teratophobia | fear of bearing a deformed child or monster (see list of phobias) | ||
| term (noun) | 1 a limited period of time (during the term of the contract). 2 a word or phrase used in a particular study (a technical term). 3 a time when law courts are dealing with cases. 4 (British spelling) a division of the school year. vb to name, to call ( I would term him a friendly person). npl conditions, charge, price (the terms of the loan agreement). come to terms to make an agreement. on good terms friendly. | ||
| terminal (adjective) | having to do with the end or last part (a terminal illness). n 1 the station at the end of a railroad line or route. 2 an airport building where passengers arrive and depart from. 3 one of the screws to which an electric wire is attached to make a connection. 4 a computer monitor and keyboard. adv terminally | ||
| terminate (verb) | to bring or come to an end (terminate the agreement). | ||
| termination (noun) | end, ending. | ||
| terminology (noun) | the words, phrases, etc, special to a particular branch of study. | ||
| termite (noun) | a white ant. | ||
| tern (noun) | a sea bird like a gull, but smaller. | ||
| terrace (noun) | 1 a raised bank of earth with a flat area on top. 2 (British spelling) one of a series of houses, usually similar in design, situated side by side and joined by common walls; a row house. | ||
| terraced (adjective) | having terraces (he lived in a terraced house in London). | ||
| terracotta (noun) | 1 a reddish-brown pottery. 2 its color. Also adj. | ||
| terrain (noun) | a stretch of country (rocky terrain). | ||
| terrapin (noun) | a type of tortoise. | ||
| terrestrial (adjective) | having to do with the earth. | ||
| Terrestrial ecology | study of terrestrial environment (see list of branches of science) | ||
| terrible (adjective) | 1 frightening, causing dread (a terrible scream). 2 very bad (a terrible experience). adv terribly | ||
| terrier (noun) | a small dog that is good at hunting. | ||
| terrific (adjective) | 1 exceptionally good (a terrific concert). 2 frightening, causing dread. adv terrifically | ||
| terrify (verb) | to make very frightened. | ||
| territorial (adjective) | having to do with a certain district or piece of land. | ||
| territory (noun) | a district or piece of land, especially one that belongs to a person, a nation, etc. | ||
| terror | Collective noun for terriers (A terror of terriers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| terror (noun) | 1 great fear, dread. 2 terrorism (the war against terror). | ||
| terrorism (noun) | the use of, or the threat of, extreme violence for political purposes. | ||
| terrorist (noun) | a person who uses, or threatens to use, extreme violence for political purposes. | ||
| terrorize (verb), | also terrorise (British spelling) 1 to make very frightened. 2 to make a country or a person do what is desired by causing fear. | ||
| terror-stricken (adjective) | full of fear or dread. | ||
| terse (adjective) | short and to the point (a terse statement of resignation). adv tersely. n terseness | ||
| test (noun) | an examination or trial intended to reveal quality, ability, progress, etc. vb 1 to try the quality of (test the new car). 2 to examine (test his French). | ||
| test pilot (noun) | a person who tests an aircraft by making it perform difficult maneuvers. | ||
| test tube (noun) | a glass tube open at one end, used for scientific experiments. | ||
| testament (noun) | 1 in law, a person’s will. 2 one of the two main divisions of the Bible (Old Testament, New Testament). | ||
| testator (noun) | a person who leaves a will at death. f testatrix | ||
| testify (verb) | 1 to give evidence. 2 to say publicly what you believe to be true (he was happy to testify to her honesty). | ||
| testimonial (noun) | 1 a letter stating a person’s good qualities and abilities. 2 a gift presented as a sign of respect. | ||
| testimony (noun) | evidence, a public statement of belief (give his testimony in court). | ||
| Testophobia | fear of taking tests (see list of phobias) | ||
| testy (adjective) | irritable, easily angered (a testy old man). | ||
| Tetanophobia | fear of lockjaw, tetanus (see list of phobias) | ||
| tetanus (noun) | a disease causing cramp in the muscles and making the jaw so stiff that it cannot move. | ||
| tête-à-tête (noun) | a private talk between two people. | ||
| tether (verb) | to tie an animal by a rope to a stake of some kind. n a stake, etc. at the end of your tether at the end of your strength or endurance (she left the job because she was at the end of her tether). | ||
| tetra- | prefix four. | ||
| tetragon (noun) | a four-sided figure. | ||
| tetrahedron (noun) | a solid figure with four sides shaped like a pyramid. | ||
| Teuthology | study of cephalopods (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Teutophobia | fear of Germany or German things. (see list of phobias) | ||
| text (noun) | 1 the words actually written by the author (not including notes, drawings, etc). 2 a short passage from the Bible. 3 subject, topic (the text of his speech). 4 a text message (she sent me a quick text about the plans for our night out). vb to send a text message to. | ||
| text message (noun) | a message typed into a cellphone and sent to another cellphone. | ||
| textbook (noun) | a book about a subject written for those studying it (a math textbook). | ||
| textile (noun) | a fabric made by weaving. adj having to do with or made by weaving. | ||
| Textology | study of the production of texts (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Textophobia | fear of certain fabrics (see list of phobias) | ||
| texture (noun) | 1 the way in which a fabric or cloth, etc, is woven. 2 the quality of woven cloth. | ||
| Thaasophobia | fear of sitting (see list of phobias) | ||
| Thalassography | study of seas and gulfs (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Thalassophobia | fear of the sea (see list of phobias) | ||
| than (conjunction) | compared with (Jack is older than Kristina). | ||
| Thanatology | study of death and its customs (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Thanatophobia | fear of death or dying (see list of phobias) | ||
| thank (verb) | to express pleasure to another for something done, etc, to express gratitude. | ||
| thankful (adjective) | grateful, full of gratitude (thankful that the children were safe). adv thankfully | ||
| thankless (adjective) | ungrateful (a thankless pupil); for which you will receive no thanks (it was a thankless task). | ||
| thanks (noun, plural) | an expression of gratitude. | ||
| thanksgiving (noun) | the act of giving thanks, especially to God at harvest time (a service in the church for thanksgiving). | ||
| Thanksgiving Day (noun) | 1 the fourth Thursday in November, observed as a national holiday in the United States. | ||
| that (adjective) | and pron (pl those ) being the person or thing there (that man with the black hair; that is my house over there). pron who or which (this is the dress that I bought in New York). (conjunction) introduces a statement, a wish, etc (he said that he was hungry). | ||
| thatch (noun) | straw used as a cover for the roof of a house. vb to put thatch on (thatch the cottage roof). n thatcher | ||
| Thaumatology | study of miracles (see list of branches of science) | ||
| thaw (verb) | 1 to melt (the snow began to thaw in the sun). 2 to become more friendly. n a state or time of thawing. | ||
| the (definite article) | referring to a particular person or thing (the woman in black). | ||
| theater (noun), | also theatre (British spelling) 1 a building or hall in which plays are acted. 2 a lecture hall. 3 a scene of action (the theater of war). 4 (British spelling) a room in a hospital where surgeons perform operations. | ||
| theatrical (adjective) | 1 having to do with plays or the theater. 2 behaving as if acting in a play (her theatrical reaction to the news). adv theatrically | ||
| theatricals (noun, plural) | dramatic performances. | ||
| Theatrophobia | fear of theatres (see list of phobias) | ||
| thee (pronoun) | (old) you (sing). | ||
| theft (noun) | act of stealing (the theft of her car). | ||
| their , theirs (adjective) | and pron (possessive) belonging to them. | ||
| theism (noun) | belief in the existence of God. n theist. | ||
| them (noun) | the form of “they” used when the object of a sentence (I saw them at the ball game). | ||
| theme (noun) | 1 subject, topic (the theme of his talk was interesting and instructive). 2 a set of notes played several times in a piece of music. | ||
| theme park (noun) | an amusement park based around a particular theme. | ||
| themselves (pronoun) | the reflexive form of “they” (the girls are old enough to take care of themselves). | ||
| then (adverb) | 1 at that time. 2 after that. 3 therefore. | ||
| thence (adverb) | 1 from that time or place. 2 for that reason. | ||
| theologian (noun) | an expert in, or a student of, theology. | ||
| theological (adjective) | having to do with theology. | ||
| Theologicophobia | fear of theology (see list of phobias) | ||
| theology (noun) | the study of the existence of God and people’s beliefs about God. | ||
| Theophobia | fear of god or religion (see list of phobias) | ||
| theorem (noun) | an idea that can be proved true by reasoning (a geometrical theorem in math). | ||
| theoretical (adjective) | based on ideas, not on practice (he put forward a theoretical solution to the problem). adv theoretically | ||
| theorize (verb), | also theorise (British spelling) 1 to suggest explanations. 2 to put forward theories (he was theorizing on the problem). | ||
| theory (noun) | 1 an explanation that seems satisfactory but has not been proved true. 2 a set of ideas or rules on how something should be done. | ||
| therapeutic (adjective) | having to do with therapy. | ||
| therapy (noun) | the treatment and cure of disease (cancer therapy). n therapist | ||
| there (adverb) | in that place. | ||
| thereafter (adverb) | after that. | ||
| thereby (adverb) | by that means. | ||
| therefore (adverb) | for this or that reason. | ||
| Theriatrics | study of veterinary medicine (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Theriogenology | study of animals' reproductive systems (see list of branches of science) | ||
| thermal (adjective) | having to do with heat, hot (thermal currents). | ||
| Thermodynamics | study of relation of heat to motion (see list of branches of science) | ||
| thermodynamics (noun) | the study of heat as a source of power. | ||
| Thermokinematics | study of motion of heat (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Thermology | study of heat (see list of branches of science) | ||
| thermometer (noun) | an instrument for measuring degrees of heat (an oven thermometer). | ||
| Thermophobia | fear of heat (see list of phobias) | ||
| thermostat (noun) | an instrument that mechanically controls temperature and keeps it steady (a central heating thermostat). | ||
| Thermos™ bottle (noun) | a flask for keeping hot liquid hot or cold liquid cold. | ||
| Therology | study of wild mammals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| thesaurus (noun) | a reference book containing synonyms and antonyms. | ||
| these | plural of this. | ||
| thesis (noun) | 1 an opinion to be defended in writing or discussion. 2 an essay on a subject submitted for a higher university degree. | ||
| they (pronoun) | the people or things already mentioned (while the boys were playing they lost their ball). | ||
| they’d | contraction they had. | ||
| they’ll | contraction they will. | ||
| they’re | contraction they are. | ||
| they’ve | contraction they have. | ||
| thick (adjective) | 1 broad (thick slices of meat). 2 fat. 3 not easily seen through (thick fog). 4 (informal) slow to understand (her boyfriend is really thick). n the most crowded part (the thick of the crowd). adv thickly n thickness | ||
| thicken (verb) | to make or become thicker (he tried to thicken the sauce with flour). | ||
| thicket | Collective noun for idiots (A thicket of idiots) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| thicket (noun) | a group of trees, shrubs, etc, growing close together. | ||
| thick-skinned (adjective) | slow to feel or resent insults. | ||
| thief (noun) | (pl thieves ) a person who steals (the thief took her purse). | ||
| thieving (adjective) | given to stealing. | ||
| thigh (noun) | the part of the leg above the knee. | ||
| thimble (noun) | a metal or plastic cap to protect the finger in sewing. | ||
| thin (adjective) | 1 not thick. 2 not fat; lean, skinny, slim. 3 not crowded (the audience was a little thin). 4 not convincing (a thin excuse). vb to make or become thin. adv thinly n thinness | ||
| thing (noun) | 1 any single existing object. 2 whatever may be thought of or spoken about. 3 a happening. npl your belongings. | ||
| think (verb) | (pt, pp thought , thinking ) 1 to form ideas in the mind, to consider (no time to think). 2 to believe; to hold as an opinion (he thinks it is wrong). | ||
| thinker (noun) | 1 a person who thinks. 2 a person who tries to work out an explanation of life, etc, for himself or herself. | ||
| thinking (adjective) | able to think or reason. | ||
| thin-skinned (adjective) | quick to feel or resent insults, easily upset. | ||
| third (adjective) | 3rd, coming after second. n one of three equal parts. | ||
| thirst (noun) | 1 the need or desire to drink. 2 a strong desire for anything. vb 1 to feel thirst. 2 to desire strongly. | ||
| thirsty (adjective) | 1 wanting or needing a drink. 2 dry. 3 causing thirst (thirsty work). adv thirstily | ||
| thirteen (noun) | the number 13, coming between twelve and fourteen. | ||
| thirteenth (adjective) | 13th, coming after twelfth. n one of thirteen equal parts. | ||
| thirtieth (adjective) | 30th, coming after twenty-ninth. n one of thirty equal parts. | ||
| thirty (noun) | the number 30, coming between twenty-nine and thirty-one. | ||
| this (adjective) | and pron (pl these ) being the person or thing here (this painting here/this is my sister). | ||
| thistle (noun) | a prickly plant with a purple head, the national emblem of Scotland. | ||
| thong (noun) | 1 a strap of hide or leather. 2 a sandal consisting of a sole and straps from either side that pass between the first and second toe. 3 a woman’s undergarment for the lower body that leaves the buttocks uncovered. | ||
| thorn (noun) | 1 a prickle on the stem of a plant. 2 a bush or plant with prickles. thorn in one’s flesh a cause of trouble or difficulty; an irritation (her lack of respect is a thorn in his flesh). | ||
| thorny (adjective) | 1 prickly. 2 difficult, troublesome. | ||
| thorough (adjective) | 1 complete (a thorough job). 2 doing work with great care (a thorough person). adv thoroughly n thoroughness | ||
| thoroughfare (noun) | a road open to the public and to traffic. | ||
| those | plural of that. | ||
| though (preposition) | despite the fact that. | ||
| thought | Collective noun for barons (A thought of barons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| thought (past tense) | of think. n 1 the power or act of thinking. 2 what you think, an idea (a sad thought). | ||
| thoughtful (adjective) | 1 given to thinking. 2 considerate, thinking of others. adv thoughtfully n thoughtfulness | ||
| thoughtless (adjective) | 1 not thinking before acting. 2 inconsiderate, not thinking of others (a thoughtless remark that hurt her mother). adv thoughtlessly. n thoughtlessness | ||
| thousand (adjective) | and n ten hundred. | ||
| thrall | Collective noun for bridegrooms (A thrall of bridegrooms) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| thrash (verb) | 1 to beat hard, to flog. 2 to move around in an uncontrolled way. | ||
| thrashing (noun) | a hard beating, a flogging. | ||
| thread (noun) | 1 a fine strand of any substance (e.g. cotton, wool, etc) drawn out and twisted to make a cord. 2 the spiral ridge running around and around a screw, etc. 3 the main connected points running through an argument (lose the thread of the speech). vb 1 to pass thread or fine cord through. 2 to make your way through. | ||
| threadbare (adjective) | (of clothing) having the fluffy surface worn off; shabby, frequently used, and so no longer fresh or new. | ||
| threat (noun) | 1 a promise to hurt or punish another in future. 2 a warning of harm to come (the threat of unemployment). | ||
| threaten (verb) | 1 to make threats to. 2 to be a sign of coming harm, evil, etc (it was threatening to snow). adj threatening adv threateningly | ||
| threatening | Collective noun for courtiers (A threatening of courtiers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| three (noun) | the number 3, coming between two and four. | ||
| Thremmatology | study of breeding domestic animals and plants (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Threpsology | study of nutrition (see list of branches of science) | ||
| thresh (verb) | to separate seed from straw by beating it or putting it through a machine. | ||
| threshing machine (noun) | a machine that separates seed from straw. | ||
| threshold (noun) | 1 the plank or stone you cross when passing through a door. 2 the beginning (on the threshold of a new career). | ||
| thrice (adverb) | three times. | ||
| thrift (noun) | care in spending or using up, the habit of saving and not wasting. | ||
| thrifty (adjective) | careful in spending, saving (a thrifty attitude to money). adv thriftily | ||
| thrill | Collective noun for brides (A thrill of brides) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| thrill | Collective noun for fans (A thrill of fans) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| thrill (noun) | a sudden feeling of excitement or emotion. vb to excite, to cause a thrill in. | ||
| thriller (noun) | a story written to excite or horrify. | ||
| thrilling (adjective) | very exciting. | ||
| thrive (verb) | 1 to do well (the baby continues to thrive). 2 to be or become strong or successful (a business that was thriving). | ||
| throat (noun) | 1 the front of the neck. 2 the opening downward at the back of the mouth and the pipe leading down from it. | ||
| throb (verb) | 1 to beat, as the heart. 2 (of pain) to increase and decrease at short regular intervals. Also n. | ||
| throne (noun) | the chair occupied by a monarch or bishop. | ||
| throng (noun) | a crowd. vb to go in crowds, to crowd together (people thronged to the hall). | ||
| throttle (noun) | 1 the throat or windpipe. 2 a lever working a valve that controls the supply of steam, gasoline, etc, to an engine. vb 1 to choke or strangle. 2 to cut down the supply of steam, etc, by using a throttle. | ||
| through (preposition) | 1 from end to end. 2 from beginning to end. 3 by means of (get to the top through hard work). 4 because of. adv from end to end. adj going all the way without requiring changes (he was travelling on the through train). | ||
| throughout (adverb) | in every way or part (a house painted throughout). (preposition) all the way through (throughout the day). | ||
| throw (verb) | (pt threw , pp thrown ) 1 to fling or cast (throw a stone in the river). 2 to make to fall on the ground (e.g. in wrestling). n 1 act of throwing. 2 the distance to which something can move or be flung through the air. | ||
| thrum (verb) | (thrummed , thrumming ) 1 to play (a musical instrument) carelessly. 2 to play by pulling the strings of. | ||
| thrush1 (noun) | a song-bird. | ||
| thrush2 (noun) | a fungal disease of the mouth (usually in infants), and the genitals. | ||
| thrust (verb) | 1 to push with force (thrust the door open). 2 to stab at or into. 3 to push forward. n 1 a sudden or violent push. 2 a stab. | ||
| thud (noun) | a low dull sound, as of a muffled blow (the thud of the heavy packet hitting the floor). Also vb (thudded , thudding ). | ||
| thug (noun) | a ruffian. | ||
| thumb (noun) | the shortest and thickest of the fingers. vb to dirty with marks of the thumb or fingers. rule of thumb a rough rule based on practice. under someone’s thumb under the control or influence of someone (he is said to be under his girlfriend’s thumb). | ||
| thump (noun) | a dull heavy blow. vb to beat heavily. | ||
| thunder (noun) | 1 the sound that follows lightning. 2 any loud rumbling noise (the thunder of passing trucks). vb 1 to make thunder. 2 to make a loud noise. adj thundery (of weather) hot and close, as before a thunderstorm. | ||
| thunderbolt (noun) | a flash of lightning. | ||
| thunderclap (noun) | a peal of thunder. | ||
| thunderous (adjective) | like thunder, very loud (thunderous applause). | ||
| thunderstorm (noun) | a spell of thunder, lightning, and heavy rain. | ||
| thunderstruck (adjective) | amazed, astonished (thunderstruck at the news). | ||
| Thursday (noun) | the fifth day of the week. | ||
| thus (adverb) | in this way. | ||
| thwack (verb) | to beat hard. n a heavy blow. | ||
| thwart (verb) | to prevent from succeeding (thwart him in his attempts to gain promotion). | ||
| thyme (noun) | a herb with small leaves, used in cooking. | ||
| tiara (noun) | a jeweled band, like a small crown, worn on the head by ladies. | ||
| tibia (noun) | the shin-bone (a fracture of the tibia). | ||
| tic (noun) | an involuntary movement of a muscle, especially in the face. | ||
| tick1 (noun) | 1 the sound made by a watch or clock (he heard the tick of the clock). 2 a mark made when checking or correcting. Also vb. | ||
| tick2 (noun) | a small blood-sucking insect. | ||
| ticket (noun) | 1 a marked card giving its possessor the right to do something (e.g. travel by train, enter a theater, etc) (his weekly rail ticket). 2 a label. | ||
| tickle (verb) | 1 to cause discomfort or make laugh by touching or prodding lightly a sensitive part of the body. 2 (informal) to please, to amuse. | ||
| ticklish (adjective) | 1 easily tickled. 2 difficult, requiring careful management (a ticklish problem). | ||
| tidal (adjective) | having to do with tides. | ||
| tidal wave (noun) | a gigantic wave caused by the force of the moon and sun. | ||
| tidbit (noun), | also titbit (British spelling) a tasty piece of food (tidbits for the dog). | ||
| tide (noun) | 1 the regular rise and fall, or ebb and flow, of the sea. 2 time, season. | ||
| tiding | Collective noun for magpies (A tiding of magpies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tidings (noun, plural) | (old or fml) news (bring tidings of his death). | ||
| Tidology | study of tides (see list of branches of science) | ||
| tidy (adjective) | neatly arranged, orderly. vb to arrange neatly (tidy the room). adv tidily n tidiness | ||
| tie (verb) | 1 to fasten with cord, rope, etc (tie the dog up). 2 to make a knot in. 3 (in a game or contest) to be equal (with). n 1 a connection, bond (family ties). 2 a draw (i.e. an equal score). 3 a match in a knock-out competition (the third-round tie). 4 (British spelling) a neck-tie. | ||
| tie breaker (noun) | an extra game played to decide between participants in a game that has resulted in a draw. | ||
| tier (noun) | one of a series of rows, e.g. of seats, arranged on a slope, so that each row is slightly higher than the one below it. | ||
| tiff (noun) | a slight quarrel (a lover’s tiff). | ||
| tig | see tag. | ||
| tiger (noun) | a large fierce striped animal of the cat family. f tigress. | ||
| tiger lily (noun) | a lily with spotted orange flowers. | ||
| tight (adjective) | 1 close-fitting (a tight dress). 2 closely packed (a tight fit). 3 (informal) difficult, especially because of shortage of money. 4 (informal) drunk (get tight at the office party). | ||
| tighten (verb) | to make or become tight (tighten the rope). adv tightly n tightness | ||
| tightrope (noun) | a tightly stretched rope on which an acrobat walks and performs tricks. | ||
| tights (noun, plural) | 1 a light, close-fitting garment covering the lower trunk and legs, worn by dancers. 2 (British spelling) see pantyhose. | ||
| tigress | female tiger | ||
| tile (noun) | a thin slab of baked clay or other suitable material for covering roofs, floors, etc. vb to cover with tiles (tile the wall). | ||
| till1 (preposition) | up to the time of. (conjunction) up to the time when. | ||
| till2 (noun) | in a store, a drawer for money. | ||
| till3 (verb) | to plow and prepare for seed (farmer tilling the land). | ||
| tiller (noun) | the handle of a rudder, a blade at the back of a boat by means of which it is steered. | ||
| tilt | Collective noun for windmills (A tilt of windmills) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tilt (verb) | to make to slope to one side, to lean (a floor that tilts). n a slant, a sloping position. | ||
| timber (noun) | 1 wood for building, carpentry, etc. 2 trees from which such wood can be obtained. 3 a wooden beam used in the framework of a house or ship. | ||
| Timbrology | study of postage stamps (see list of branches of science) | ||
| time (noun) | 1 the measure of the passage of past, present, and future. 2 the moment of the hour, day, year, etc. 3 a season. 4 an occasion (a happy time). 5 the rhythm of a piece of music. vb 1 to see how long something lasts (time the race). 2 to see that something happens at the right moment (time his arrival well). for the time being meanwhile. | ||
| timekeeper (noun) | a person who notes the times at which something begins and ends. | ||
| timely (adjective) | (informal) happening at the right time (his timely arrival). | ||
| timepiece (noun) | a watch or clock. | ||
| timer (noun) | a device used for timing something. | ||
| times (preposition) | multiplied by (two times three equals six). | ||
| timetable (noun) | 1 a list of classes, giving times when they begin and end. 2 a list giving the times of arrival and departure of trains, buses, etc. | ||
| timid (adjective) | easily made afraid or upset, shy (too timid to complain). adv timidly n timidity | ||
| timorous (adjective) | fearful, timid. | ||
| timpani (noun, plural) | kettledrums. | ||
| tin (noun) | 1 a soft, light white metal. 2 (British spelling) a can. | ||
| tincture | Collective noun for pharmacists (A tincture of pharmacists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tincture (noun) | 1 a shade of color. 2 a slight taste or flavor of something. 3 a drug dissolved in alcohol. | ||
| tinder (noun) | an easily lit substance that catches light from a spark (used before the invention of matches). | ||
| tinge (verb) | 1 to color slightly. 2 to have a slight effect on. n 1 a shade, a slight color (a reddish tinge). 2 a small amount. | ||
| tingle (verb) | to feel a prickly or thrilling sensation (her fingers tingled with cold). | ||
| tinker (noun) | (old) a person who goes from door to door, mending pots, kettles, etc. vb to play, fiddle or meddle with machinery (tinker with the car’s engine). | ||
| tinkle (verb) | to make soft, bell-like sounds (the small bells round her ankle tinkled). Also n. | ||
| tinned (adjective) | (British) canned (I love tinned soup). | ||
| tinny (adjective) | sharp and harsh in sound. | ||
| tin-opener (noun) | (British) can-opener. | ||
| tinsel (noun) | 1 thin strips, threads, disks, etc, of shiny metal, used for decoration. 2 anything showy but of little value. | ||
| tint (noun) | 1 a shade of color (a bluish tint). 2 a faint color. vb to color slightly. | ||
| tiny (adjective) | very small (tiny insects). | ||
| tip (noun) | 1 a narrow end or point. 2 a light blow. 3 money given as a present or for special help (a tip for the waiters). 4 a helpful hint (tips on removing stains). vb (tipped , tipping ) 1 to put a tip on. 2 to make to tilt. 3 to give a money tip to (tip the waiter). 4 to give a useful hint to. 5 to throw out (of) (tip the peas out of the can). | ||
| tipple (verb) | to make a habit of taking strong liquor, to drink alcohol often. | ||
| tipsy (adjective) | drunk, confused by strong liquor (tipsy after the office party). | ||
| tiptoe (noun) | the point of the toe. vb 1 to walk on the points of the toes. 2 to walk very quietly (tiptoe out of the room). | ||
| tiptop (adjective) | splendid, excellent (in tiptop condition). | ||
| tirade (noun) | a long angry speech, a violently critical speech (their manager gave them a tirade on the subject of punctuality). | ||
| tire1 (verb) | to make or become weary (the long journey tired her). adj tiring | ||
| tire2 (noun), | also tyre (British spelling) a ring of iron or rubber around the outside rim of a wheel (my car has a flat tire). | ||
| tired (adjective) | weary. | ||
| tireless (adjective) | not easily wearied, having much energy. adv tirelessly | ||
| tiresome (adjective) | boring, annoying (a tiresome day). | ||
| tissue | Collective noun for lies (A tissue of lies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tissue (noun) | 1 any fine woven material. 2 substance (fat, muscle, etc) of which the parts of animals and plants are made. 3 a complete connected set. 4 a paper handkerchief (I used two boxes of tissues when I had my cold). | ||
| tissue paper (noun) | thin soft paper for wrapping (wrap the china in tissue paper). | ||
| tit (noun) | a small bird (blue tit). | ||
| tit for tat (noun) | the act of getting your own back; a blow for a blow. | ||
| titanic (adjective) | huge, gigantic. | ||
| titanium (noun) | a silver-gray metal that is used to make alloys. | ||
| titbit | see tidbit. | ||
| titillate (verb) | 1 to tickle. 2 to give pleasure to (titillate the audience). n titillation | ||
| titivate (verb) | to make neat or smart (titivating herself for the party). | ||
| title (noun) | 1 the name of a book, piece of writing or music, picture, etc. 2 a name or word used in addressing someone, to indicate rank, office, etc. 3 a claim to ownership, a right. | ||
| title role (noun) | the part of a character in a play whose name is the same as that of the play, e.g. Macbeth in Macbeth. | ||
| titled (adjective) | being a member of the nobility. | ||
| titter (verb) | to giggle (the girls tittered). Also n. | ||
| tittle-tattle (noun) | gossip, foolish talk. | ||
| titular (adjective) | having rank or title but no powers (the titular head of the country). | ||
| TM | abbreviation for trademark used as the symbol that indicates a trademark, as in Thermos™ (I like to take a Thermos™ of tea to work). | ||
| to (preposition) | used to show movement toward (driving to school). | ||
| toad (noun) | a frog-like animal that lives both on land and in water. | ||
| toadstool (noun) | a poisonous fungus, like a mushroom in shape. | ||
| toady (noun) | (informal) a person who flatters another in order to gain his or her favor. vb to flatter or try to please in order to gain favor (he annoyed all of his fellow-workers when he toadied to the boss). | ||
| toast (verb) | 1 to dry and brown by heat. 2 to warm at the fire (toast themselves by the fire). 3 to drink the health of (toast his friends). n 1 sliced bread browned by heat. 2 a person whose health is drunk. 3 a sentiment or thing to which you drink. 4 the act of raising your glass to drink to something. | ||
| toaster (noun) | an electrical device for toasting bread. | ||
| tobacco (noun) | the dried leaves of the tobacco plant, used for smoking or taken as snuff. | ||
| toboggan (noun) | a narrow sled for sliding down snow-covered slopes. vb (tobogganed , tobogganing ) to go on a toboggan. | ||
| Tocology | study of midwifery (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Tocophobia | fear of pregnancy or childbirth (see list of phobias) | ||
| today (adverb) | on this day. | ||
| toddle (verb) | to walk with short unsteady steps, as a small child. | ||
| toddler (noun) | a small child just beginning to walk. | ||
| toddy (noun) | a mixture of liquor, sugar, and hot water. | ||
| toe (noun) | one of the five finger-like members at the end of the foot. toe the line to behave as you are told. | ||
| toffee (noun) | a kind of candy made of sugar and butter. | ||
| toga (noun) | in ancient times, the garment of a Roman citizen. | ||
| together (adverb) | with another or others, in company. | ||
| toil | Collective noun for peasants (A toil of peasants) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| toil (verb) | to work hard. n hard work. n toiler | ||
| toilet (noun) | 1 (old) the act of making yourself clean and tidy. 2 (British spelling) a bathroom or lavatory. | ||
| toilet soap (noun) | soap for washing the body. | ||
| token (noun) | 1 a mark or sign (a token of his friendship). 2 an object used to help to remember. 3 something used instead of money (bus token). | ||
| Tokology | study of childbirth (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Tokophobia | fear of pregnancy or childbirth (see list of phobias) | ||
| told | past tense and past participle of tell. | ||
| tolerable (adjective) | able to be put up with. adv tolerably | ||
| tolerance , toleration (noun) | 1 patience. 2 readiness to allow what is displeasing, strange, or different to continue to exist (he has always shown great tolerance towards the beliefs of others). | ||
| tolerant (adjective) | ready to tolerate, broad-minded (tolerant of their beliefs). | ||
| tolerate (verb) | 1 to put up with (he could not tolerate the noise). 2 to allow (she will not tolerate shoddy work). | ||
| toll1 (noun) | a tax charged for the use of a bridge, road, etc. | ||
| toll2 (verb) | to ring slowly, as a bell at a funeral (church bells tolling). n a single stroke of a large bell. | ||
| tomato (noun) | (pl tomatoes ) 1 a plant with a soft edible fruit. 2 the fruit of the tomato (fried green tomatoes). | ||
| tomb (noun) | 1 a grave. 2 a cellar in which dead bodies are placed. | ||
| tomboy (noun) | an energetic girl who is fond of boyish games and sports. | ||
| tombstone (noun) | a stone placed over a grave giving the name, etc, of the person buried underneath. | ||
| tome (noun) | a large heavy book (a tome on philosophy). | ||
| tommy gun (noun) | a small machine gun. | ||
| Tomophobia | fear of surgical operations or medical procedures (see list of phobias) | ||
| tomorrow (adverb) | the day after today. | ||
| ton (noun) | a measure of weight in the imperial system (1 ton = 20 hundredweight, 2000 lbs) and in the metric system (1 metric ton/tonne = 1000 kg) | ||
| tone (noun) | 1 a sound. 2 the quality or pitch of a voice or sound. 3 the prevailing spirit or atmosphere (the tone of the meeting). 4 a shade of color (in tones of blue). vb to fit in with. tone down to soften, to make less harsh. adj tonal | ||
| Tonetics | study of pronunciation (see list of branches of science) | ||
| tongs (noun, plural) | an instrument with two arms between which things can be gripped for moving (lift the coal with tongs). | ||
| tongue (noun) | 1 an organ in the mouth with the help of which you speak or taste. 2 anything shaped like a tongue (e.g. a leather flap in a shoe). 3 a language (a foreign tongue). 4 the clapper of a bell. hold your tongue to remain silent. | ||
| tongue-tied (adjective) | unable to speak because of excitement or nervousness. | ||
| tongue-twister (noun) | a group of words that is difficult to pronounce quickly. | ||
| tonic (adjective) | 1 strengthening, giving vigor or health. 2 having to do with musical tones. n 1 a strengthening medicine (the sick boy was given a tonic). 2 a carbonated soft drink often mixed with gin or other alcoholic drinks. | ||
| tonight (adverb) | on this night. | ||
| Tonitrophobia | fear of thunder (see list of phobias) | ||
| tonnage (noun) | the weight of goods a ship can carry. | ||
| tonne (noun) | a metric ton (= 2204.6 lbs, 1000 kg). | ||
| tonsil (noun) | one of the two glands at the back of the mouth. | ||
| tonsillitis (noun) | a disease causing the tonsils to become swollen and sore. | ||
| too (adverb) | 1 also (Steve is hungry and I am too). 2 excessively (too young to get married). | ||
| took | past tense of take. | ||
| tool (noun) | 1 an instrument for working with. 2 a person who does exactly what another wants him or her to do (a tool of the company’s management). | ||
| toot (noun) | the sound of a horn. Also vb (drivers tooting their horns in impatience). | ||
| tooth (noun) | (pl teeth ) 1 one of the bony projections rooted in the jaw, used for biting or chewing. 2 any tooth-shaped projection, as on a saw, comb, etc. have a sweet tooth to like eating sweet things. long in the tooth (informal) old (he is a bit long in the tooth to be at a disco). tooth and nail with great violence or fury (fight tooth and nail). | ||
| toothache (noun) | a pain in a tooth (go to the dentist with a toothache). | ||
| toothbrush (noun) | a brush for cleaning the teeth. | ||
| toothpaste (noun) | a paste for cleaning the teeth. | ||
| toothpick (noun) | a small stick used for removing anything stuck in or between the teeth. | ||
| toothy (adjective) | having or showing large or sticking-out teeth (a toothy grin). | ||
| top (noun) | 1 the highest part or place (the top of the tree). 2 the summit (the top of the mountain). 3 a toy for spinning. 4 a garment worn on the upper body, e.g. a sweater or a T-shirt. adj 1 highest. 2 most important. vb (topped, topping) 1 to be at the top of. 2 to hit the top of. 3 to do better than. | ||
| top hat (noun) | a tall cylindrical hat covered with silk (the wedding guests wore top hats). | ||
| topaz (noun) | a precious stone. | ||
| top-heavy (adjective) | so heavy at the top that it may fall over (the load was top-heavy). | ||
| topic (noun) | a subject of discussion. | ||
| topical (adjective) | having to do with events of the present day (topical stories). | ||
| topmost (adjective) | highest. | ||
| Topography | study of the shape and features of land surfaces (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Topology | study of places and their natural features (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Toponymics | study of place-names (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Topophobia | fear of certain places or situations, such as stage fright (see list of phobias) | ||
| topping (noun) | a sauce or garnish that is put on the top of a hamburger, ice cream, etc. | ||
| topple (verb) | 1 to fall over, to overbalance (much of the load toppled off). 2 to cause to fall. | ||
| topsy-turvy (adjective) | confused, upside-down. | ||
| torch (noun) | 1 (old) a piece of blazing wood carried or stuck up to give light. 2 (British spelling) flashlight. | ||
| tore | past tense of tear. | ||
| toreador (noun) | a Spanish bullfighter. | ||
| Toreutics | study of artistic work in metal (see list of branches of science) | ||
| torment | Collective noun for trainers (A torment of trainers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| torment (noun) | 1 great suffering or agony. 2 great anxiety (the torment of waiting for the results of a blood test). vb torment 1 to cause distress or suffering to, to torture. 2 to tease (students tormenting the new boy). n tormentor | ||
| torn | past participle of tear. | ||
| tornado (noun) | (pl tornadoes ) a violent swirling wind or hurricane. | ||
| torpedo (noun) | (pl torpedoes ) a long fish-shaped shell that can be fired through the water to hit another ship and explode on touching it. vb to hit or damage with a torpedo. | ||
| torpid (adjective) | lacking energy, numb, inactive, dull (feeling torpid in the extreme heat). | ||
| torrent (noun) | 1 a rushing stream. 2 a heavy downpour. | ||
| torrential (adjective) | flowing with great violence, falling heavily and steadily (torrential rain). | ||
| torrid (adjective) | 1 extremely hot. 2 dried up by heat. | ||
| torso (noun) | the body not including the head or limbs (a statue of a torso). | ||
| tortilla (noun) | a thin pancake made with cornmeal or wheat flour and wrapped around a filling, used in Mexican cooking. | ||
| tortoise (British spelling) | a four-limbed reptile almost entirely covered in a hard shell; a turtle. | ||
| tortoiseshell (noun) | the shell of a type of sea turtle used to make combs, rims of spectacles, etc, colored brown and yellow. | ||
| tortuous (adjective) | crooked, twisting (tortuous mountain roads). | ||
| torture (verb) | 1 to cause great suffering or anxiety to. 2 to cause pain to as a punishment or in order to obtain information from (he was tortured by the enemy). n extreme pain or anxiety. adj torturous | ||
| toss (verb) | 1 to throw upward, to jerk upward (toss a coin in the air). 2 (of a ship) to roll about in rough seas. 3 to drink (off) quickly (toss off his soda). n a throw. toss up to throw up a coin to decide something by chance. | ||
| tot (noun) | a small child. | ||
| total (adjective) | 1 whole (the total cost). 2 complete (the car was a total wreck). n 1 the whole amount. 2 the result when everything has been added up. vb 1 to add up (total the items on the check). 2 to add up to. adv totally | ||
| totalitarian (adjective) | allowing only one political party. | ||
| totality (noun) | the complete amount. | ||
| totem (noun) | an animal or plant taken by a tribe as an emblem and regarded as mysteriously connected with the tribe. totem pole a pole on which the totem or symbols of it are carried. | ||
| totter (verb) | to stand or walk unsteadily, to stagger (tottering down the street in high-heeled shoes). | ||
| toucan (noun) | a South American bird with a huge bill. | ||
| touch (verb) | 1 to come to rest against any part of the body, especially the hand. 2 to be in contact. 3 to cause to feel emotion (touched by the poem). 4 to make a difference to, to concern (the changes in management did not touch her). n 1 act of coming against or being in contact with. 2 the ability to do really well something requiring skill (she has a magic touch with children). 3 the sense of feeling. 4 (in sports) the ground at the side of the marked field of play. | ||
| touching (adjective) | moving the feelings, causing pity. | ||
| touchline (noun) | (in sports) the side lines of the marked field of play. | ||
| touchstone (noun) | something by comparison with which you judge other things, ideas, etc (a touchstone for the other students’ work). | ||
| touchy (adjective) | easily angered or hurt (in a touchy mood). n touchiness | ||
| tough | Collective noun for lesbians (A tough of lesbians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tough (adjective) | 1 hard to cut, tear, or chew; not tender (tough meat). 2 resilient, durable (tough material). 3 hardy and strong (a tough explorer). 4 rough-mannered (a tough gangster). 5 difficult to deal with (a tough problem). n a rough, vicious person. | ||
| toughen (verb) | 1 to make tough. 2 to make better able to resist (toughen the plastic). | ||
| tour (noun) | a journey, made for pleasure, to various places, usually ending up at the starting point. vb to go for a tour, to travel here and there (tour Canada). | ||
| tourism (noun) | the providing of hotels, routes, etc, for tourists. | ||
| tourist (noun) | a person who travels for pleasure, a sightseer. | ||
| tournament (noun) | 1 a series of games between different competitors to see which is the best player or team (a tennis tournament). 2 (old) a display of fighting on horseback in which knights carried blunted arms. | ||
| tourniquet (noun) | a bandage twisted tightly around a limb to prevent the flow of blood from a cut artery. | ||
| tousle (verb) | 1 to disarrange, especially the hair (the wind had tousled her hair). 2 to make untidy. | ||
| tout (verb) | to go about looking for customers or buyers (tout for business). n a person who touts (a ticket tout). | ||
| tow1 (verb) | to pull along with a rope, chain, etc. n the act of towing. | ||
| tow2 (noun) | fibers of flax or hemp. | ||
| toward (preposition) | in the direction of. | ||
| towel (noun) | a cloth for drying the body. vb (toweled , toweling , also towelled, towelling [Br]) to rub with a towel (she toweled her child after bathing him). | ||
| tower (noun) | 1 a building much higher than it is broad. 2 a high part of another building, projecting above it. 3 a fortress. vb to rise high into the air (the mountains tower above the village) | ||
| towering (adjective) | 1 very high or tall (a towering mountain). 2 very great (a towering rage). | ||
| town (noun) | a group of houses, stores, etc, larger than a village but smaller than a city. | ||
| toxic (adjective) | poisonous (the toxic substance in some plants). n toxicity | ||
| Toxicology | study of poisons (see list of branches of science) | ||
| toxicology (noun) | the study of poisons. n toxicologist | ||
| toxin (noun) | a poison (the toxins in some plants). | ||
| Toxiphobia | fear of poison or of being accidently poisoned (see list of phobias) | ||
| toy (noun) | a plaything. vb to play with (the dog was toying with the kitten). | ||
| trace (noun) | 1 a mark left behind (a trace of blood on the knife). 2 a footstep. 3 a sign of something that has happened or existed (there were traces of a struggle). vb 1 to copy a drawing onto transparent paper laid on top of it. 2 to follow the tracks of (the police traced him to his hide-out). adj traceable | ||
| tracery (noun) | stone carved to form an open design, as in the windows of old churches. | ||
| tracing (noun) | a drawing made by copying another drawing on to transparent paper laid on top of it. | ||
| track (noun) | 1 a footprint. 2 the mark or rut left by a wheel. 3 a path made by coming and going (a track up the mountain). 4 a railroad line. 5 a course for races. vb 1 to follow the marks left by (track the wolf to its lair). 2 to pursue or search for someone or something until found (track down the source of the gas leak). | ||
| track-and-field (noun) | competitive athletic events that involve running, jumping, or throwing (the track-and-field events). | ||
| tract (noun) | 1 a wide area of land. 2 a short booklet, especially one about religion. | ||
| traction (noun) | 1 the drawing of vehicles. 2 treatment of an injured limb by pulling on it gently with a device using weights and pulleys. | ||
| traction engine (noun) | a steam engine for dragging loads on roads. | ||
| tractor (noun) | a heavy motor vehicle used for drawing other vehicles or farm implements. | ||
| trade (noun) | 1 the buying and selling of goods. 2 the exchanging of goods in large quantities. vb 1 to buy and sell. 2 to exchange in large quantities. | ||
| trademark (noun) | 1 a trade name, sign or symbol that identifies the goods of a particular manufacturer and is officially registered and legally restricted to the use of that manufacturer. (Thermos is a trademark). 2 a distinctive characteristic or attribute (the strange hairstyle that became her trademark). | ||
| trader (noun) | a person who buys and sells goods. | ||
| tradesman , tradesperson (noun) | 1 a person engaged in trade. 2 a skilled manual worker (the carpenter and other tradesmen in the building trade). | ||
| tradition (noun) | 1 the handing down of knowledge, customs, etc, from age to age by word of mouth (according to tradition). 2 any story, custom, etc, so handed down (village traditions). | ||
| traditional (adjective) | according to or handed down by tradition (traditional Thanksgiving customs). adv traditionally | ||
| traffic (noun) | 1 the coming and going of persons, vehicles, etc, between places. 2 trade. 3 the carrying of goods or persons in vehicles, etc. 4 all the vehicles on the roads (freeway traffic). vb (trafficked , trafficking ) to trade. | ||
| tragedy (noun) | 1 a sad event, a disaster (his death was a tragedy). 2 a play showing the suffering caused by man’s inability to overcome evil (Shakespeare’s tragedies). | ||
| tragic (adjective) | 1 having to do with tragedy (a tragic actor). 2 very sad (a tragic story). adv tragically | ||
| trail (noun) | 1 the track or scent left by a moving creature (the stag’s trail). 2 a path or track made by coming and going (the mountain trail). vb 1 to drag along the ground (the child trailing her teddy bear). 2 to draw along behind. 3 to walk wearily (children trailing home from school). 4 to follow the tracks of (trail the fox to its lair). | ||
| trailer (noun) | 1 a vehicle without an engine towed by another. 2 a mobile home. 3 a short part of a movie shown in advance as an advertisement for the movie. 4 a climbing plant. | ||
| train (verb) | 1 to prepare or make to prepare by constant practice or teaching (train the basketball team). 2 to aim (train his gun on them). 3 to make to grow in a particular direction (train the vine along the wall). n 1 railroad cars or trucks drawn by an engine. 2 part of a dress that trails behind the wearer (the bride’s train). 3 a series (train of thought). n trainee | ||
| trainer (noun) | a person who teaches animals or people to do something, often a sport (a trainer of racehorses). | ||
| training (noun) | education, practice (soccer training). | ||
| trait (noun) | a special characteristic by which you may know a person (his humor was his most endearing trait). | ||
| traitor (noun) | a person who helps an enemy against his or her own country or friends. adj traitorous | ||
| trajectory | Collective noun for astronauts (A trajectory of astronauts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| trajectory (noun) | the path of a moving body (e.g. a bullet, a comet, etc). | ||
| tram | see streetcar. | ||
| tramp (verb) | 1 to walk heavily. 2 to travel on foot (it was a day’s tramp for the army). n 1 a journey on foot. 2 a person who has no home and walks about the countryside begging (the tramp begged for spare change). 3 the sound of heavy steps or many steps together (the tramp of soldiers on the march). | ||
| trample (verb) | to walk heavily on top of (the animals trampled the crops). | ||
| trampoline (noun) | a large piece of canvas or strong nylon joined to a metal frame by springs, used for jumping on. | ||
| trance | Collective noun for lovers (A trance of lovers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| trance (noun) | a state in which you are unconscious of your surroundings (the hypnotist put her into a trance). | ||
| tranquil (adjective) | 1 calm, peaceful. 2 still. n tranquility , also tranquillity (British spelling) | ||
| tranquilize (verb), | also tranquilise (British spelling) to calm (someone) down (tranquilize the patient before surgery). | ||
| tranquilizer (noun), | also tranquillizer, tranquilliser (British spelling) anything (e.g. a pill) that calms a person down. | ||
| transact (verb) | to carry on or put through (transact business with his firm). | ||
| transaction (noun) | a piece of business (a property transaction). npl a written record of the doings of a society. | ||
| transatlantic (adjective) | across or crossing the Atlantic (a transatlantic flight). | ||
| transcend (verb) | 1 to rise above (his desire for power transcends everything else). 2 to be superior to (his new symphony transcends his other musical works). | ||
| transcendent (adjective) | marvelous (her transcendent beauty). | ||
| transcendental (adjective) | beyond human understanding, supernatural. | ||
| transcribe (verb) | to copy in writing. | ||
| transcript (noun) | a written copy (a transcript of the broadcast). | ||
| transept (noun) | one of the two parts representing the arms in a cross-shaped church. | ||
| transfer (verb) | (transferred , transferring ) to send or remove from one place or owner to another. n 1 the act of transferring (seek a transfer from one firm to another). 2 a design that can be pressed from one surface on to another. | ||
| transferable (adjective) | that can be transferred (his property is transferable to his wife). | ||
| transference (noun) | act of transferring. | ||
| transfigure (verb) | 1 to change in form, shape, or appearance. 2 to make more beautiful or splendid (a face transfigured with happiness). n transfiguration | ||
| transfix (verb) | 1 to pierce through (transfixed by a spear). 2 to cause to be unable to move (transfixed with terror). | ||
| transform (verb) | 1 to change the form of. 2 to change completely (computers transformed the office system). n transformation | ||
| transformer (noun) | a machine for changing the voltage of an electric current. | ||
| transfuse (verb) | to transfer from one thing to another (e.g. by pouring). | ||
| transfusion (noun) | 1 the act of transfusing. 2 the passing of the blood of one person into another. | ||
| transient (adjective) | 1 not lasting for long, passing quickly (transient pleasures). 2 not staying for long (a transient population). n transience | ||
| transistor (noun) | a simple radio receiving set in which the current is produced by sensitive wires in contact with a crystal. adj transistorized , also transistorised (British spelling) | ||
| transit (noun) | passage; the act of going or being moved from one place to another. in transit during passage (passengers in transit at the airport). | ||
| transition (noun) | a changing from one state or condition to another (in transition between high school and university). adj transitional | ||
| transitory (adjective) | passing quickly, not lasting for long (transitory pleasures). | ||
| translate (verb) | to give the meaning of what is said or written in one language in another language. n translator | ||
| translation (noun) | a turning from one language into another. | ||
| translucent (adjective) | allowing light to pass through (translucent glass). | ||
| transmission (noun) | 1 the act of sending messages etc. 2 a radio or television broadcast. | ||
| transmit (verb) | (transmitted , transmitting ) 1 to send (a message, news, etc). 2 to send by radio or television. 3 to send or pass from one person to another (a disease transmitted by mosquitoes). | ||
| transmitter (noun) | a radio apparatus able to send messages or make broadcasts. | ||
| transmute (verb) | (formal) to change from one form into another. n transmutation | ||
| transom (noun) | a window over a door. | ||
| transparent (adjective) | 1 that can be clearly seen through. 2 obvious (her misery was transparent to all). n transparence , transparency | ||
| transpire (verb) | 1 to become known (it later transpired that he was not there). 2 to happen (wait and see what transpires). 3 to exhale. | ||
| transplant (verb) | 1 to uproot and plant in another place. 2 to replace an organ of the body by one belonging to someone else. n transplant , transplantation | ||
| transport (verb) | 1 to carry from one place to another (transport children to school). 2 (old) to convey to another country as a punishment. 3 (formal) to fill with emotions, anger, etc. n 1 any means of carrying persons or goods from one place to another. 2 a ship for carrying troops. 3 (formal) great delight, ecstasy (in transports after their victory). | ||
| transportation (noun) | 1 the state of being transported. 2 a means of conveyance. 3 (old) conveying of convicts to another country as a punishment. | ||
| transpose (verb) | 1 to interchange the places of. 2 to change the order of (transpose the words in the sentence). n transposition | ||
| transverse (adjective) | lying across. | ||
| trap (noun) | 1 an instrument or device for catching wild animals and holding them alive or dead. 2 any device that, by its appearance, deceives you into advancing or progressing into unseen difficulties (he walked into the trap). 3 an S-shaped bend in drainpipes to prevent foul air rising. 4 a light two-wheeled horse carriage. vb (trapped , trapping ) 1 to catch in a trap or snare. 2 to deceive (they trapped her into admitting her guilt). | ||
| trapdoor (noun) | a door in a floor, ceiling, or roof. | ||
| trapeze (noun) | a bar suspended from two swinging ropes, some distance above the ground, and used in gymnastic or acrobatic exercises. | ||
| trapezium (noun) | a four-sided figure of which two sides are parallel and unequal in length. | ||
| trapper (noun) | a person who traps animals, especially for their furs. | ||
| trappings (noun, plural) | 1 finery, decoration. 2 an ornamental harness for a horse. | ||
| trash (noun) | 1 that which is thrown away as useless, useless material (put the trash in the trashcan). 2 nonsense (talk trash). adj trashy | ||
| trashcan (noun) | a container for household trash. | ||
| trauma (noun) | a shock that has a long-lasting effect. adj traumatic adv traumatically | ||
| Traumatology | study of wounds and their effects (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Traumatophobia | fear of injury (see list of phobias) | ||
| travel (verb) | (traveled , traveling , also travelled, travelling [Br]) 1 to go, move or make a journey (travel to the city/travel abroad). 2 to be transmitted or move (the speed at which light travels). Also n. | ||
| travel agent (noun) | a person who makes travel arrangements for customers. n travel agency | ||
| traveler (noun), | also traveller (British spelling) 1 a person who journeys. 2 a person who goes from place to place trying to obtain orders for a business firm. | ||
| traverse (verb) | to go across (the camel train was traversing the desert). | ||
| travesty | Collective noun for transvestites (A travesty of transvestites) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| travesty (verb) | to imitate in such a way as to make appear ridiculous. n a silly imitation. | ||
| trawl (noun) | a large wide-mouthed net for deep-sea fishing. vb to fish by drawing a trawl through the water. | ||
| trawler (noun) | a fishing boat using a trawl. | ||
| tray | Collective noun for dieticians (A tray of dieticians) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tray (noun) | a flat piece of wood, metal, etc, with a rim, used for carrying dishes, etc. | ||
| treacherous (adjective) | 1 faithless, disloyal, deceitful (treacherous followers). 2 dangerous, but seeming safe (a treacherous beach full of mines). | ||
| treachery (noun) | unfaithfulness to those who have placed trust in you; disloyalty. | ||
| treacle | see molasses. | ||
| tread (verb) | (pt trod , pp trodden or trod) 1 to step or walk (tread softly). 2 to walk heavily on (tread grapes to crush them). n 1 a step (hear her tread on the stairs). 2 your way of walking. 3 the sound of walking. 4 the flat part of the step of a stair. 5 the part of a tire that touches the ground. | ||
| treadle (noun) | a pedal used for operating a machine. | ||
| treadmill (noun) | 1 (old) a millwheel turned by persons treading on steps sticking out from it. 2 an exercise machine with an endless moving belt on which you walk or run. | ||
| treason (noun) | disloyalty to your country or ruler (the spy was sentenced to life imprisonment for treason). | ||
| treasonable (adjective) | having to do with treason (treasonable actions). | ||
| treasure (noun) | 1 something greatly valued (family treasures such as photographs). 2 a store of great wealth. vb to value greatly. | ||
| treasure trove (noun) | treasure found hidden and ownerless (the children dug up some treasure trove on the beach). | ||
| treasurer (noun) | a person who is in charge of the money of a society, business firm, etc. | ||
| treasury (noun) | 1 (cap) the government department in charge of a nation’s finances. 2 a store where public money is kept. | ||
| treat (verb) | 1 to deal with. 2 to act toward (he always treated her with great respect). 3 to talk or write about. 4 to give treatment to (they had to treat one of the patients for malaria). 5 to pay for another’s entertainment. 6 to discuss conditions for an agreement. n 1 an entertainment. 2 something that gives great pleasure. | ||
| treatise (noun) | a piece of writing giving information on a certain subject (a treatise on British folklore). | ||
| treatment (noun) | the way of treating anything. | ||
| treaty (noun) | an agreement between two nations (a treaty that ended the war). | ||
| treble (adjective) | threefold, three times. vb to multiply by three. n the highest part in singing; soprano. | ||
| tree | Collective noun for genealogists (A tree of genealogists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tree (noun) | a plant with a trunk and branches of wood. | ||
| trek (verb) | (trekked , trekking ) to journey on foot, often wearily (trek around the stores looking for a bargain). Also n. | ||
| trellis (noun) | a light framework of crisscrossing bars of wood or metal for supporting climbing plants. | ||
| tremble (verb) | 1 to shake with fear, cold, fever, etc. 2 to feel great fear. | ||
| tremendous (adjective) | 1 huge. 2 very great, impressive (a tremendous achievement). adv tremendously | ||
| Tremophobia | fear of trembling (see list of phobias) | ||
| tremor (noun) | a slight shaking or shivering (earth tremors). | ||
| trench (noun) | a long narrow hole or ditch dug in the ground, especially one to shelter soldiers from enemy gunfire. | ||
| trenchant (adjective) | (of remarks) sharp and forceful (trenchant criticism). | ||
| trend (noun) | 1 a tendency. 2 a general inclination toward (a trend toward smaller families). | ||
| trendy (adjective) | (informal) very fashionable (a trendy nightclub). | ||
| trepidation (noun) | fear. | ||
| trespass (verb) | 1 to go unlawfully on another’s land (walkers trespassing on the farmer’s land). 2 (old) to sin. Also n. n trespasser | ||
| tress (noun) | a lock of hair. npl tresses long hair worn loose. | ||
| trestle (noun) | a frame that supports a bridge or railroad track. | ||
| tri- | prefix three. | ||
| trial (noun) | 1 the examining of a prisoner in a court of law. 2 a test (give the young woman a trial as a secretary). 3 hardship or distress undergone (the trials of being homeless). | ||
| triangle (noun) | 1 a figure with three sides and three angles. 2 a musical instrument consisting of a triangle-shaped steel rod, played by striking it with a small rod. | ||
| triangular (adjective) | having three sides and three angles. | ||
| triathlon (noun) | an athletic contest consisting of three events, usually swimming, cycling, and long-distance running. | ||
| tribe | Collective noun for natives (A tribe of natives) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tribe (noun) | a group of people or families living together under the rule of a chief. adj tribal n tribesman | ||
| Tribology | study of friction and wear between surfaces (see list of branches of science) | ||
| tribulation (noun) | great suffering or trouble (the trials and tribulations of the refugees). | ||
| tribunal (noun) | 1 a court of justice. 2 a body appointed to look into and report on a matter of public interest. | ||
| tribune (noun) | a Roman magistrate chosen by the people. | ||
| tributary (noun) | a stream that flows into a larger stream or river | ||
| tribute (noun) | 1 deserved praise (they paid tribute to her bravery by giving her a medal). 2 money paid by a defeated nation to its conquerors. | ||
| trice (noun) | in a trice in a moment (in a trice, she was gone). | ||
| Trichology | study of hair and its disorders (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Trichopathophobia | fear of hair disorders (see list of phobias) | ||
| Trichophobia | fear of hair or hair fall (see list of phobias) | ||
| trick (noun) | 1 something said or done in order to deceive (gain entry to the house by a trick). 2 something done quickly and skillfully in order to amuse (a conjurer’s trick). 3 a special way of doing something (the trick of getting the car to start). 4 cards played and won in a round. vb to deceive, to cheat. | ||
| trickery (noun) | cheating, deceitful conduct (use trickery to get the old woman’s money). | ||
| trickle (verb) | to flow very slowly (blood trickling from the wound). n a thin stream of liquid. | ||
| tricky (adjective) | 1 cunning (a tricky customer). 2 requiring skill (a tricky piece of engineering). 3 difficult (a tricky situation). | ||
| tricycle (noun) | a three-wheeled cycle. | ||
| trident (noun) | a spear with three prongs. | ||
| tried (adjective) | reliable, proved good (it was a tried and tested remedy). | ||
| trifle (noun) | 1 a thing of little value or importance (worry about trifles). 2 a small amount (their contribution was a trifle compared to the final total). 3 (British spelling) a pudding consisting of sponge cake, fruit, custard, and cream. vb 1 to treat without seriousness (he trifled with her affections). 2 to idle. | ||
| trifling (adjective) | 1 of no value or importance. 2 very small (a trifling amount). | ||
| trigger (noun) | a small lever that when pulled fires a gun. vb 1 to cause something to happen (trigger an allergic reaction), 2 to cause something to start functioning (trigger the alarm). | ||
| trigonometry (noun) | the science dealing with the measurement of triangles, and the relation between their sides and angles. | ||
| trillion (noun) | 1 a million million (1012; 1,000,000,000,000) 2 (informal) a very large number. | ||
| trilogy (noun) | a series of three connected plays, novels, etc. | ||
| trim (verb) | (trimmed , trimming ) 1 to make neat, especially by cutting (have her hair trimmed). 2 to decorate (trim the coat with fake fur). 3 to rearrange cargo so that a ship is properly balanced. 4 to make ready for sailing. adj neat, tidy. in good trim 1 in good condition. 2 well prepared. | ||
| trimester (noun) | 1 an academic term. 2 three months. 3 one third of the length of a human pregnancy. | ||
| trimming (noun) | something added as an ornament (gold trimming on the evening dress). | ||
| trinity (noun) | a union of three in one. the Trinity the Christian belief that in one God there are three persons—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. | ||
| trinket (noun) | an ornament of little value, a piece of cheap jewelry. | ||
| trio (noun) | 1 a set of three, especially three musicians who play together (the trio of rascals who broke the windows). 2 a piece of music for three performers. | ||
| trip | Collective noun for dotterels (A trip of dotterels) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| trip | Collective noun for hippies (A trip of hippies) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| trip (verb) | (tripped , tripping ) 1 to stumble or fall over (she tripped getting off the bus). 2 to cause to stumble or fall (they deliberately tripped her up).3 (formal) to move with quick light steps (trip upstairs). n 1 a stumble. 2 a short journey or outing. | ||
| tripe (noun) | 1 part of the stomach of a sheep, cow, etc, prepared as food. 2 (informal) nonsense, rubbish (the movie was just tripe). | ||
| triple (adjective) | made up of three parts, threefold. vb to make or become three times as large or as many (tripled his income in a year). | ||
| triplet (noun) | one of three children born at one birth. | ||
| triplicate (adjective) | threefold. n: in triplicate with three copies. | ||
| tripod (noun) | a three-legged stand or support (e.g. for a camera). | ||
| tripper (noun) | (informal) a person who is on vacation or on an outing for pleasure (the day-trippers set out for the shore). | ||
| Triskaidekaphobia | fear of the number 13 (see list of phobias) | ||
| trite (adjective) | often used, commonplace (her words of comfort were rather trite). | ||
| triumph (noun) | 1 joy at success or victory. 2 a great success or victory (the crowd cheered her triumph). vb to gain a great success or victory (triumphed over the enemy). | ||
| triumphal (adjective) | having to do with a victory (a triumphal procession). | ||
| triumphant (adjective) | 1 successful, victorious (the triumphant team). 2 joyous at success or victory (triumphant at the team’s win). adv triumphantly | ||
| triumvirate (noun) | a group of three people sharing the power of government. | ||
| trivet (noun) | a three-legged stand for a pot, kettle, etc. right as a trivet perfectly all right. | ||
| trivia (noun, plural) | (now often regarded as a singular noun) facts of small importance (a head full of trivia). | ||
| trivial (adjective) | of small importance, trifling (waste time on trivial matters). n triviality | ||
| troglodyte (noun) | a cave-dweller. | ||
| troll (noun) | a dwarfish elf or goblin. | ||
| trolley (noun) | (pl trolleys ) 1 a pole that conveys electric current from an overhead wire to a streetcar. 2 a streetcar. 3 (British spelling) a cart for transporting goods in a supermarket or baggage at an airport. | ||
| trombone (noun) | a deep-toned type of trumpet with a sliding tube moved in and out when it is being played. | ||
| troop | Collective noun for baboons (A troop of baboons) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| troop | Collective noun for monkeys (A troop of monkeys) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| troop | Collective noun for mushrooms (A troop of mushrooms) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| troop (noun) | 1 a collection or group of people or animals (a troop of monkeys in the circus). 2 an organized group of soldiers, scouts, etc. vb to move or gather in large numbers. npl soldiers. | ||
| trooper (noun) | a horse-soldier. | ||
| Trophology | study of nutrition (see list of branches of science) | ||
| trophy (noun) | something given or kept as a reward for or reminder of success or victory (a trophy for winning the tournament). | ||
| tropic (noun) | one of two imaginary lines around the earth marking the farthest distance north and south of the equator at which the sun rises and sets during the year. npl the hot regions north and south of the equator. | ||
| tropical (adjective) | 1 having to do with the tropics (a tropical fruit). 2 very hot. | ||
| Tropophobia | fear of moving or making changes (see list of phobias) | ||
| trot (verb) | (trotted , trotting ) 1 (of a horse) to go at a pace between a walk and a canter. 2 to run with short steps (a child trotting behind his mother). n a medium pace. | ||
| troth (noun) | plight your troth (old) to promise to marry. | ||
| trotter (noun) | the foot of a pig or sheep. | ||
| trouble (verb) | 1 to cause anxiety, difficulty, or distress to (his daughter’s absence troubled him). 2 to disturb (I am sorry to trouble you). n 1 worry, anxiety, distress (her son causes her a lot of trouble). 2 difficulty (having trouble closing the door). | ||
| troublesome (adjective) | causing trouble (a troublesome task). | ||
| trough (noun) | 1 a long narrow vessel to hold water or food for animals. 2 a hollow (e.g. between two waves). | ||
| trounce (verb) | to beat severely (they trounced the opposing team). | ||
| troup | Collective noun for shrimps (A troup of shrimps) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| troupe | Collective noun for acrobats (A troupe of acrobats) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| troupe | Collective noun for artistes (A troupe of artistes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| troupe | Collective noun for dancers (A troupe of dancers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| troupe | Collective noun for performers (A troupe of performers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| troupe (noun) | a company of actors or other performers. | ||
| trousers | see pants. | ||
| trousseau (noun) | (pl trousseaux or trousseaus ) a bride’s outfit. | ||
| trout (noun) | an edible freshwater fish. | ||
| trove | Collective noun for treasure (A trove of treasure) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| trowel (noun) | 1 a tool with a flat blade used for spreading mortar, plaster, etc. 2 a tool with a curved blade used in gardening. | ||
| troy or troy weight (noun) | a system of measures used in weighing precious metals or gemstones. | ||
| truant (noun) | a child who stays off school without leave (the teacher saw the truants at the supermarket). play truant to stay off school without leave. n truancy. | ||
| truce (noun) | an agreement to stop fighting for a time (both armies agreed on a truce at Christmas). | ||
| truck farm (noun) | a garden in which vegetables are grown for sale (they get organically grown vegetables from a truck farm). n truck farmer | ||
| truck1 (noun) | a large motor vehicle for carrying goods. | ||
| truck2 (noun) | dealings (have no truck with the people next door). | ||
| trucker (noun) | a truck driver. | ||
| truculent (adjective) | quarrelsome, trying to find a cause for quarreling or fighting (children in a truculent mood). n truculence | ||
| trudge (verb) | to walk, especially with heavy steps; to walk in a tired manner (a long trudge home after a hard day’s work). Also n. | ||
| true (adjective) | 1 in agreement with fact, not false (the true facts). 2 genuine (the true heir). 3 honest. 4 faithful, loyal (true friends). 5 exact, close (a true copy). adv truly | ||
| truffle (noun) | an edible fungus that grows underground (truffles are an expensive delicacy). | ||
| truism (noun) | a remark that is obviously true and therefore unnecessary (“look before you leap” is a truism). | ||
| trump (noun) | one of a suit of cards that, in a particular hand, beats a card of any other suit. vb to play a trump on a card of another suit. trump up to make up, to invent. | ||
| trump card (noun) | a means of ensuring success. | ||
| trumpet (noun) | a metal wind instrument. vb 1 to make known far and wide. 2 to make a loud noise like a trumpet, especially animals (the elephant trumpeted a warning). | ||
| trumpeter (noun) | a person who plays the trumpet. | ||
| truncate (verb) | to cut off, to cut short (a truncated meeting). | ||
| truncheon (noun) | 1 a club carried by a police officer. 2 a short staff carried as a sign of authority. | ||
| trundle (verb) | to roll, push, or bowl along (the bus trundled along the country road). | ||
| trunk (noun) | 1 the main stem of a tree. 2 the body not including the head or limbs (the rash was confined to his trunk). 3 the long tube-like nose of an elephant. 4 a box or chest for clothing, etc (store the clothing in the trunk). 5 the storage place for luggage at the back of a car. | ||
| trunks (noun, plural) | men’s shorts worn for swimming or other sports. | ||
| truss | Collective noun for hay (A truss of hay) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| truss (noun) | 1 a bundle of hay or straw. 2 a supporting bandage (a truss for a hernia). vb 1 to tie (the burglars trussed up the guard). 2 to tie up (a fowl) for cooking. | ||
| trust (noun) | 1 a firm belief that another person or a thing is what it claims or is claimed to be; confidence (put your trust in him). 2 a union of several firms to advance their business interests. 3 the holding and controlling of money or property for the advantage of someone (money held in trust until she is 21). 4 care or responsibility (a child placed in her trust). vb 1 to rely upon, to have faith in. 2 to hope. take on trust to accept without examination or inquiry. | ||
| trustee (noun) | a person who is appointed to hold and look after property on behalf of another. n trusteeship | ||
| trustful , trusting (adjective) | ready to trust. | ||
| trustworthy (adjective) | deserving trust or confidence, reliable. | ||
| trusty (adjective) | (formal) that can be trusted, reliable (his trusty followers). | ||
| truth (noun) | that which is true (always tell the truth). adj truthful adv truthfully | ||
| try (verb) | (tried , trying ) 1 to attempt (try to climb the tree). 2 to test (try the new flavor). 3 to examine and judge in a court of law. | ||
| trying (adjective) | difficult, worrying, annoying (a trying time for all). | ||
| Trypanophobia | fear of medical procedures involving injections or hypodermic needles (see list of phobias) | ||
| Trypophobia | fear of holes or a pattern of holes (see list of phobias) | ||
| tsar, tzar, czar (noun) | the title of the emperor of Russia (until 1917). f tsarina | ||
| tsetse (noun) | a blood-sucking African fly whose bite transmits the disease of sleeping sickness. | ||
| T-shirt (noun) | a short-sleeved collarless shirt or undershirt. | ||
| Tsiganology | study of gypsies (see list of branches of science) | ||
| tsunami (noun) | a huge sea wave produced by an underwater earthquake. | ||
| tub (noun) | 1 a large open container used for bathing, washing clothing, growing things etc (an old wooden washing tub). 2 a bathtub. | ||
| tuba (noun) | a low-pitched brass wind instrument. | ||
| tubby (adjective) | (informal) round and fat (a tubby child). | ||
| tube (noun) | 1 a pipe. 2 a hollow cylinder. | ||
| tuber (noun) | a swelling on the root of a plant (e.g. a potato). | ||
| Tuberculophobia | fear of tuberculosis (see list of phobias | ||
| tuberculosis (noun) | a wasting disease caused by the growth of tubercles on the lungs or other organs; consumption. adj tubercular | ||
| tubing (noun) | 1 a length of tube. 2 a series of tubes. | ||
| tubular (adjective) | 1 like a tube. 2 consisting of tubes (tubular construction/tubular bells). | ||
| tuck (verb) | 1 to push, to stuff (tucks his shirt into his pants). 2 to put in a secure or private place (tucked his book under his arm). n a fold in a garment. tuck in 1 to cover up comfortably (tuck the baby in). 2 (informal) to eat hungrily (tuck into milk and cookies). | ||
| Tuesday (noun) | the third day of the week. | ||
| tuft | Collective noun for grass (A tuft of grass) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tuft (noun) | 1 a bunch or clump of grass, hair, etc, growing together. 2 a bunch of threads, etc, held together. | ||
| tufty (adjective) | growing in tufts (the dog has tufty hair). | ||
| tug (verb) | (tugged , tugging ) 1 to pull with effort (tug the gate open). 2 to pull sharply (tugged his sister’s hair). n 1 a strong sharp pull. 2 a small boat used to pull larger ones. | ||
| tug-of-war (noun) | a contest in which two teams pull opposite ways at each end of a rope until one is pulled across a mark. | ||
| tuition (noun) | teaching (private tuition in French). | ||
| tulip (noun) | a plant growing from a bulb and having a single brightly colored flower. | ||
| tumble (verb) | 1 to fall (the child tumbled down the hill). 2 to do acrobatic and jumping tricks. n a fall. | ||
| tumbler | Collective noun for gymnasts (A tumbler of gymnasts) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tumbler (noun) | 1 a drinking glass (a tumbler of cold water). 2 an acrobat (tumblers in the circus). | ||
| tumbleweed (noun) | a plant broken away from its roots in the fall and rolled about by the wind. | ||
| tummy (noun) | (informal) a stomach (a pain in my tummy). | ||
| tumor (noun), | also tumour (British spelling) a mass of diseased cells in the body causing swelling (a brain tumor/a malignant tumor). | ||
| tumult | Collective noun for tuba players (A tumult of tuba players) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tumult (noun) | 1 noisy confusion, uproar (his statement went unheard in the tumult). 2 disorderly behavior by a crowd. | ||
| tumultuous (adjective) | noisy and disorderly (a tumultuous welcome). | ||
| tuna (noun) | a large edible fish of the mackerel family. | ||
| tundra (noun) | a wide plain of frozen marshy land in northern Siberia or North America. | ||
| tune (noun) | 1 the melody or air of a piece of music. 2 a short pleasing piece of music. 3 the correct relation of one musical note to others. vb 1 to ensure that an instrument is adjusted to play the correct notes. 2 to adjust a radio, etc, until it is receiving as clearly as possible. | ||
| tuneful (adjective) | having a pleasing air or melody (a tuneful air). adv tunefully | ||
| tungsten (noun) | a rare metallic element, used for filaments in electric light bulbs. | ||
| tunic (noun) | 1 a loose upper garment covering the body, sometimes to below the waist. 2 a soldier’s uniform jacket. | ||
| tuning fork (noun) | a two-pronged fork that, when struck, gives a musical note to which instruments can be adjusted. | ||
| tunnel (noun) | an underground passage, especially one that enables a road or railroad to pass under or through an obstacle (the train went through a tunnel). | ||
| turban (noun) | a headdress made by winding a band of fabric around and around the head. | ||
| turbine (noun) | a type of wheel that, when moved by steam or water power, drives an engine. | ||
| Turbology | study of tornadoes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| turbot (noun) | a large edible flatfish. | ||
| turbulent (adjective) | 1 moving violently and irregularly. 2 disorderly, hard to control or rule, rebellious (a turbulent crowd of protestors). n turbulence | ||
| tureen (noun) | a large deep dish for soup. | ||
| turf (noun) | earth covered thickly with short grass (the turf of the golf course). vb to cover with turf. | ||
| turkey (noun) | a large farmyard fowl (roast turkey for Thanksgiving). | ||
| Turkish bath (noun) | 1 a treatment in which you sit in a room of steam to induce a sweat and then follow it with a shower and massage. 2 the place where you would go for a Turkish bath. | ||
| turmoil (noun) | noisy confusion, disorder (the office was in turmoil after she left). | ||
| turn (verb) | 1 to move or cause to move around (she turned to face him). 2 to shape wood by cutting it as it revolves. 3 to change (she has turned into a beautiful young woman). 4 (of milk) to become sour. n 1 a change of direction. 2 (of a wheel) a revolution. 3 a bend (the accident happened at the turn in the road). 4 an act (she did him a good turn). 5 a short walk (the old couple took a turn along the promenade). 6 a sudden feeling of sickness (the sight of all the blood turned his stomach). turn down to refuse (turn down the invitation). turn in (informal) to go to bed. turn out 1 to have (good or bad) results (it turned out for the best). 2 to attend a meeting, etc (very few turned out because of the weather). turn over a new leaf to change yourself for the better (the criminal decided to turn over a new leaf and find himself a job). turn turtle to turn completely over, to capsize. turn up to appear unexpectedly (she did not turn up at the meeting). turn upon to attack suddenly (the dog turned upon its master). in turn one after the other, in the proper order (they drove the car in turns). | ||
| turning (noun) | 1 a bend in the road. 2 a corner leading off to another road. | ||
| turnip (noun) | 1 a plant of the mustard family with a thick edible root. 2 (British spelling) rutabaga. | ||
| turnout (noun) | the number of people in an assembly (a large turnout at the concert). | ||
| turnover (noun) | in business, the amount of money paid in and out in a certain period (the store’s turnover is down this year). | ||
| turnpike (noun) | a gate or bar across a road at which travelers must pay a tax for the use of the road. | ||
| turnstile (noun) | a revolving gate through which only one person can pass at a time (pay at the turnstile). | ||
| turntable (noun) | 1 a revolving platform for turning round railroad engines, etc. 2 (old) a round spinning surface on a phonograph on which the record is placed. | ||
| turpentine (noun) | 1 a resin obtained from certain trees. 2 an oil made from this. | ||
| turquoise (noun) | a greenish-blue precious stone or its color (dressed all in turquoise). Also adj. | ||
| turret (noun) | 1 a small tower forming part of a building (a castle with many turrets). 2 a revolving tower to protect guns and gunners on a warship or in a fort. | ||
| turtle (noun) | a reptile with four flipper-like limbs, and almost entirely covered by a hard shell. | ||
| turtleneck (noun) | 1 a high collar that turns down and fits closely around the neck. 2 a sweater or shirt with such a collar. | ||
| tusk (noun) | a long pointed tooth sticking out from the mouth, as in an elephant, walrus, etc. | ||
| tussle (noun) | a short struggle, a disorderly fight (the children had a tussle over the toys). vb to struggle. | ||
| tut (interjection) | an exclamation expressing disappointment or disapproval. | ||
| tutor (noun) | a private teacher (she has a tutor to help her with math). vb to teach, to act as tutor. | ||
| tutorial (adjective) | having to do with a tutor or teaching. n 1 a group of students who study with a tutor. 2 study time spent with a tutor. | ||
| tutu (noun) | a very short stiff skirt worn by a female ballet dancer. | ||
| TV | abbreviation for televison. | ||
| twaddle | Collective noun for public speakers (A twaddle of public speakers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| twaddle (noun) | nonsense, foolish talk (he was talking twaddle). | ||
| twang (noun) | 1 the sound made by plucking a tightly stretched string or wire. 2 a tone that sounds as if you were speaking through your nose. vb to pluck a tightly stretched string or wire. | ||
| twangle | Collective noun for harps (A twangle of harps) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tweak (verb) | to twist sharply, to pinch (she tweaked his ear in fun). Also n. | ||
| tweed (noun) | a rough woolen cloth, suitable for outer garments. | ||
| tweezers (noun, plural) | small pincers for pulling out hairs, lifting tiny things, etc (his mother pulled out the splinter using tweezers). | ||
| twelfth (adjective) | 12th, coming after eleven others. n one of twelve equal parts. | ||
| twelve (noun) | the number 12, coming between eleven and thirteen. | ||
| twenty (noun) | the number 20, coming between nineteen and twenty-one. adj twentieth 20th. | ||
| twice (adverb) | two times (he has been beaten only twice). | ||
| twiddle (verb) | to play with (sit twiddling your fingers with nothing to do). | ||
| twig (noun) | a small shoot or branch of a tree or shrub. | ||
| twilight (noun) | the faint light just after sundown. | ||
| twill (noun) | a strong cloth with ribbed lines or ridges running from end to end (pants made of twill). | ||
| twin (noun) | 1 one of two children born at one birth. 2 a person or thing that looks exactly the same as another (the twin of her china vase). adj 1 born at one birth (twin babies). 2 double. 3 consisting of two like parts or things (twin engines). vb (twinned , twinning ) to pair together. | ||
| twine (noun) | strong string (garden twine). vb 1 to twist or wind around. 2 to twist together (garden plants twining around each other). | ||
| twinge (noun) | a sudden sharp pain (a twinge in his back when he bent down). | ||
| twinkle (verb) | 1 to sparkle. 2 to shine with a light that very quickly increases and decreases (stars twinkling in the sky). n 1 a gleam of light. 2 a quick look of amusement in the eyes. | ||
| twinkling (noun) | a moment. | ||
| twirl (verb) | to spin or turn around rapidly (she twirled the baton). Also n. | ||
| twist (verb) | 1 to turn quickly out of shape or position. 2 to wind strands around each other (to make a cord). 3 to put a wrong meaning on (she deliberately twisted his words). n 1 something made by twisting. 2 a sudden turning out of shape or position. | ||
| twister (noun) | a tornado. | ||
| twitch (noun) | 1 a jerk. 2 a sudden quick movement. vb 1 to pull sharply (twitch her dress into position). 2 to make a quick movement unintentionally (her eye twitches). | ||
| twitter (verb) | to chirp, as a bird. n 1 a chirp. 2 a state of nervous excitement (in a twitter about the party). | ||
| two (noun) | othe number 2, coming between one and three. | ||
| two-faced (adjective) | deceitful, not sincere (a loyal supporter who turned out to be two-faced). | ||
| tycoon (noun) | a very successful and influential businessman, a business magnate. | ||
| type (noun) | 1 a class or kind (a kind of vegetable). 2 a person or thing possessing most of the qualities of a certain group, class, nationality, etc. 3 a letter or symbol cut in metal, etc, and used for printing. 4 the kind and size of a set of letters used in printing. vb to use a typewriter (he is learning to type). | ||
| typescript (noun) | typewritten material (send the typescript to her publisher). | ||
| typeset (verb) | to set a written piece of work in a typed form. n typesetter. adj typeset. | ||
| typewriter (noun) | a machine operated by keys that, when struck, cause letters or symbols to be printed through an inked ribbon on to paper. | ||
| Typhlology | study of blindness and the blind (see list of branches of science) | ||
| typhoid (noun) | an infectious disease causing acute pain in the intestines (get typhoid from infected food). | ||
| typhoon (noun) | a violent storm of wind and rain, especially in the China seas. | ||
| typical (adjective) | 1 characteristic (it was typical of him not to apologize). 2 serving as an example of a class or group (a typical village store). adv typically | ||
| typify (verb) | to serve as an example of. | ||
| typist (noun) | a person who uses a typewriter. | ||
| typography (noun) | the art of printing. n typographer | ||
| Typology | study of types of things (see list of branches of science) | ||
| tyrannical , tyrannous (adjective) | cruel, ruling unjustly (a tyrannical emperor). | ||
| tyrannize (verb), | also tyrannise (British spelling) to use power cruelly or unjustly (the dictator was known to tyrannize the people). | ||
| Tyrannophobia | fear of tyrants (see list of phobias) | ||
| tyrannosaurus (noun) | a very large meat-eating dinosaur that walked on its hind legs and had two small front legs. | ||
| tyranny | Collective noun for dictators (A tyranny of dictators) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| tyranny (noun) | cruel or unjust use of power. | ||
| tyrant (noun) | 1 a person who uses power cruelly. 2 an unjust ruler. | ||
| tzar | see tsar. | ||
U
| U, u (noun) | the twenty-first letter of the alphabet. | ||
| ubiquitous (adjective) | being or seeming to be in more than one place at the same time, seemingly occurring everywhere (cellphones seem to be ubiquitous these days). n ubiquity | ||
| U-boat (noun) | a German submarine. | ||
| udder (noun) | the organ containing the milk-producing gland of a cow, sheep, etc. | ||
| UFO | abbreviation for unidentified flying object a strange, unidentified object seen in the sky, believed by some people to be an alien spacecraft. | ||
| ugly (adjective) | 1 unpleasant to see or hear. 2 unpleasant, dangerous (an ugly occurrence in the bar). n ugliness | ||
| ukulele (noun) | a stringed musical instrument similar to a guitar, played by plucking the strings. | ||
| ulcer (noun) | an open, painful sore t on the skin, or inside the mouth or stomach (mouth ulcers). | ||
| ulcerated , ulcerous (adjective) | having an ulcer or ulcers. | ||
| ulema (noun) | a group of Muslim men who have authority in religion and law. | ||
| ulna (noun) | the larger of the two bones of the forearm in humans, on the opposite side from the thumb. | ||
| ulterior (adjective) | further, secret, hidden. | ||
| ulterior motive (noun) | a reason for action that one does not make known to others. | ||
| ultimate (adjective) | 1 last, final (his ultimate destination). 2 greatest or highest possible. | ||
| ultimately (adverb) | in the end. | ||
| ultimatum (noun) | (pl ultimatums or ultimata ) a last offer of conditions, to be followed, if refused, by action without more discussion (she gave him an ultimatum: if he did not stop bothering her she would call the police). | ||
| ultra- | prefix 1 very, extremely (ultramodern). 2 beyond a specific extent or range (ultramicroscopic). | ||
| ultramarine (noun) | 1 a blue pigment used in paints, etc. 2 a vivid blue color. Also adj. | ||
| ultrasound (noun) | the use of ultrasonic waves to form images of inside the body (she saw her unborn baby while having an ultrasound). | ||
| ultraviolet (adjective) | having to do with radiation present in sunlight that is harmful to the eyes and skin, the wavelengths of which are shorter than violet light. | ||
| ultravirus (noun) | a virus so small that it can pass through even the finest filters. | ||
| umber (noun) | a reddish-brown color. | ||
| umbilicus (noun) | (pl umbilici ) the navel. adj umbilical | ||
| umbrage (noun) | take umbrage to be offended or made angry by. | ||
| umbrella (noun) | a folding frame covered with waterproof material that can be opened out and held over the head at the end of a stick as protection against rain. | ||
| umiak (noun) | a large, open boat made of skins stretched on a wooden frame, sued by Eskimos for moving goods. | ||
| umpire (noun) | a person who acts as judge in a dispute or contest, a referee (a baseball umpire). | ||
| umpteen (pronoun) | (informal) a great number of, a great many (umpteen of them came to the show). n and adj umpteenth (for the umpteenth time, clean your room!). | ||
| un- | prefix not. | ||
| unabashed (adjective) | not ashamed, not put off, confident (she was unabashed by the complaints). | ||
| unable (adjective) | not able; lacking the ability, means, or power to do something. | ||
| unabridged (adjective) | not shortened, complete (unabridged edition of the book). | ||
| unacceptable (adjective) | unwelcome, not good enough to be acceptable (the behavior of the visiting team’s fans was quite unacceptable). | ||
| unaccommodating (adjective) | not ready to oblige. | ||
| unaccountable (adjective) | that cannot be explained (for some unaccountable reason he left work and has never been seen since). | ||
| unaccustomed (adjective) | not usual (the unaccustomed warmth of a day in March). | ||
| unacknowledged (adjective) | not recognized, ignored (his unacknowledged skill). | ||
| unaffected (adjective) | 1 simple, sincere (everyone who met him loved his unaffected manner). 2 unmoved (unaffected by the child’s tears). | ||
| unanimous (adjective) | 1 being all of the same opinion (they were unanimous in their decision). 2 agreed to by all present (a unanimous vote). | ||
| unapproachable (adjective) | unfriendly in manner. | ||
| unarmed (adjective) | having no weapons, especially firearms or armor. | ||
| unassuming (adjective) | modest, not boastful. | ||
| unauthorized (adjective) also unauthorised (British spelling) | done without permission. | ||
| unaware (adjective) | not knowing, ignorant (of). | ||
| unawares (adverb) | unexpectedly (catch the thief unawares). | ||
| unbearable (adjective) | that cannot be borne; that cannot be accepted or allowed. | ||
| unbecoming (adjective) | not suitable, not proper, unattractive (her behavior was unbecoming). | ||
| unbelief (noun) | lack of faith, doubt. | ||
| unbeliever (noun) | a person who does not believe in the accepted religion. | ||
| unbend (verb) | 1 to make straight. 2 to behave in a more friendly way (unfriendly at first but she unbent later). | ||
| unbiased (adjective) | fair to all parties, just (the judge made an unbiased decision). | ||
| unblock (verb) | to remove a block from (unblock the sink so it drains properly). | ||
| unbounded (adjective) | great, without limits (unbounded enthusiasm). | ||
| unbridled (adjective) | uncontrolled (unbridled rage). | ||
| unburden (verb) | 1 (formal) to take a load off. 2 to tell about something that has caused worry or anxiety (unburden himself of his worries). | ||
| unbutton (verb) | to unfasten the button or buttons of something (her mother taught the little girl how to unbutton her pajama jacket). | ||
| uncalled-for (adjective) | not required; unnecessary and rude (uncalled-for comments about her perfomance). | ||
| uncanny (adjective) | strange, mysterious. | ||
| uncap (verb) | to remove the cap from. | ||
| uncertain (adjective) | 1 not sure (uncertain about how to proceed). 2 doubtful (uncertain plans). n uncertainty | ||
| uncharitable (adjective) | harsh, severe, unkind, ungenerous (she often had uncharitable thoughts about her next-door neighbour). | ||
| unclasp (verb) | to unfasten the clasp of. | ||
| uncle (noun) | 1 the brother of a person’s father or mother. 2 the husband of a person’s aunt. | ||
| Uncle Sam (noun) | a made-up person, who represents the United States. | ||
| uncoil (verb) | to unwind (the rope was uncoiled before being used). | ||
| uncomfortable (adjective) | 1 uneasy (feel uncomfortable about going to the party alone). 2 giving no comfort (an uncomfortable chair). | ||
| uncommunicative (adjective) | not speaking much to others. | ||
| uncomplimentary (adjective) | critical, insulting. | ||
| uncompromising (adjective) | firm, not ready to give in (both sides had uncompromising attitudes). | ||
| unconcerned (adjective) | 1 unmoved. 2 uninterested. | ||
| unconditional (adjective) | without conditions (unconditional surrender). | ||
| unconformity (noun) | not being the same as others (it was their unconformity that gave them away). | ||
| unconscious (adjective) | 1 not knowing, unaware (unconscious of what was going on). 2 stunned, as by a blow to the head, and so unaware of what is going on (knocked unconscious by the blow). | ||
| unconstitutional (adjective) | against the principles of a constitution, especially said of the US Constitution, unlawful. | ||
| unconventional (adjective) | not bound by custom, natural, free and easy (unconventional dress and manners). | ||
| uncouth (adjective) | rough in manner, awkward, clumsy (uncouth manners). | ||
| uncover (verb) | to make known, to reveal (they were unable to uncover her identity). | ||
| unction | Collective noun for undertakers (An unction of undertakers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| uncultivated (adjective) | 1 not prepared for crops (uncultivated land). 2 uncivilized, crude (an uncultivated people). | ||
| undaunted (adjective) | bold, fearless (undaunted, they went through the jungle). | ||
| undecided (adjective) | not having made up the mind, doubtful (undecided about how to vote). | ||
| undemonstrative (adjective) | not showing feelings, calm by nature (the judge was an undemonstrative man). | ||
| undeniable (adjective) | that cannot be argued against, certain (his undeniable guilt). | ||
| under (preposition) | 1 below. 2 beneath. 3 subject to. 4 less good than. adv in a lower condition, degree, or place. pref under- in, on, to, or from a lower place or side, beneath or below. | ||
| underachieve (verb) | to fail to do as well as expected, as in school classes. | ||
| underage (adjective) | below the age required by law. | ||
| underarm (adjective) | of, for, in, or used on the area under the arm or the armpit. | ||
| underbelly (noun) | 1 the lower part of an animal’s belly. 2 any unprotected area. | ||
| underbrush (noun) | small trees, shrubs, etc that grow underneath large trees in woods or forests. | ||
| undercarriage (noun) | the wheels or other parts on the underside of an aircraft needed for landing. | ||
| underclothes , underclothing, (noun) | clothes worn under others or next to the skin; underwear. | ||
| undercoat (noun) | a layer of short hair or fur under the longer hair or fur on an animal’s coat. | ||
| undercoating (noun) | a coating, like a primer, which prepares a surface for another layer of paint, varnish, etc. | ||
| undercover (adjective) | acting or carried out in secret. | ||
| undercurrent (noun) | 1 a current, as of air or water, flowing beneath the surface. 2 an influence or popular feeling that cannot easily be noticed (undercurrent of discontent in the office). | ||
| undercut (verb) | to offer to sell at a lower price (than). n undercut 1 the underside of a loin of beef. 2 in a fight, a blow from below. | ||
| underdog (noun) | a person or group that is expected to lose. | ||
| underdone (adjective) | not sufficiently cooked, lightly cooked (the beef was underdone). | ||
| underestimate (verb) | to have too low an opinion of (underestimate his ability). | ||
| underfur (noun) | the soft, shorter layer of fur under the longer layer of fur on an animal’s coat. | ||
| undergo (verb) | to bear, to suffer (undergo pain). | ||
| undergraduate (noun) | a university student who has not yet earned a degree. Also adj. | ||
| underground (adjective/adverb) | 1 beneath the ground. 2 secret (an underground political organization). n 1 a place below the surface of the earth. 2 a railway running through underground tunnels. | ||
| undergrowth (noun) | shrubs and low bushes growing among trees. | ||
| underhand (adjective) | sly, secret, dishonest (an underhand action). | ||
| underline (verb) | 1 to draw a line under. 2 to emphasize (underline the need for more aid). | ||
| undermine (verb) | 1 to make holes underground. 2 to destroy gradually, to seek to harm by underhand methods (undermine his confidence). | ||
| underneath (adverb) | under, below, beneath, on the underside. | ||
| underpants (noun) | underwear for the lower part of the body, with two openings for the legs. | ||
| underpass (noun) | part of a road or footpath that goes underneath a road or railway (pedestrians could take the underpass to get to the other side of the railway line). | ||
| underrate (verb) | to have too low an opinion of (underrate their ability). | ||
| undersell (verb) | to sell at a lower price (than) (he tried to undersell his competitors). | ||
| undershirt (noun) | a collarless shirt with or without sleeves worn under an outer shirt. | ||
| undersized (adjective) | less than the normal size, very small. | ||
| understand (verb) | (pt, pp understood ) 1 to see the meaning of (understand the poem). 2 to know thoroughly (it took her some time to understand the filing system). 3 to work out the truth from what has been said (understand his motives). | ||
| understanding (noun) | 1 intelligence, powers of judgment. 2 an agreement, especially an unwritten one (there was an understanding that the money would be paid every month). | ||
| understate (verb) | to talk of something as smaller or less important than it really is (understate his role in the events). n understatement | ||
| understudy (noun) | an actor or actress who learns the same part as another to be able to take his or her place if necessary (the understudy took the place of the sick actor). | ||
| undertake (verb) | (pt undertook , pp undertaken ) to take upon oneself to do, to attempt. | ||
| undertaker (noun) | a funeral director. | ||
| undertaking (noun) | 1 a task (an undertaking requiring great skill). 2 a promise (he gave an undertaking that he would be present). | ||
| undertow (noun) | the backward flow of water after a wave breaks on the shore; an undercurrent. | ||
| underwear (noun) | underclothes. | ||
| underwire (noun) | a curved wire inserted into the bottom cups of certain brassieres for added support. | ||
| underworld (noun) | 1 the mythical place to which the spirits of people go after death. 2 those members of society who live by violence and crime. | ||
| undies (noun) | (informal) underwear. | ||
| undisguised (adjective) | open, not hidden (her undisguised jealousy). | ||
| undisturbed (adjective) | calm, tranquil (an undisturbed night). | ||
| undo (verb) | (pt undid , pp undone to reverse what has been done, to untie or unfasten, to ruin (undo the damage). | ||
| undoing (noun) | ruin (lying was her undoing). | ||
| undone (past participle) | of undo. adj 1 not done. 2 ruined. | ||
| undoubted (adjective) | certain, undeniable (her undoubted honesty). | ||
| undress (verb) | 1 to take your clothes off (she undressed in private). 2 to take off the clothes of (the mother undressed her baby). | ||
| undue (adjective) | greater than is necessary (undue panic). | ||
| undulate (verb) | 1 to rise and fall like waves. 2 to have a wavy appearance. | ||
| unduly (adverb) | more than is necessary, excessively (not unduly worried). | ||
| unearth (verb) | 1 to discover by searching (unearth the truth). 2 to dig up (police unearthed the evidence). | ||
| unearthly (adjective) | weird, supernatural, ghostly (there was an unearthly scream). | ||
| uneasy (adjective) | uncomfortable, worried, anxious (an uneasy feeling that all was not well). | ||
| unemployed (adjective) | having no paid job, out of work. | ||
| unemployment | Collective noun for graduates (An unemployment of graduates) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| unemployment (noun) | the state of not having a job. | ||
| unequivocal (adjective) | clear, that cannot be misunderstood (an unequivocal reply). | ||
| unerring (adjective) | true, going straight to the target (with unerring accuracy). | ||
| uneven (adjective) | 1 not flat, not smooth (uneven ground). 2 sometimes not as good as at other times (his work is uneven). | ||
| unfailing (adjective) | sure, reliable (an unfailing remedy). | ||
| unfamiliar (adjective) | strange (unfamiliar territory). | ||
| unfasten (verb) | to undo, to unfix, to set loose (unfasten the belt). | ||
| unfathomable (adjective) | 1 very deep. 2 mysterious. | ||
| unfetter (verb) | to free from restraint of any kind. adj unfettered | ||
| unforeseen (adjective) | unexpected (unforeseen circumstances). | ||
| unfortunate (adjective) | unlucky (it was unfortunate that she missed the bus). | ||
| unfounded (adjective) | not based on fact (unfounded accusations). | ||
| unfurl (verb) | to spread out (unfurl the flag). | ||
| ungainly (adjective) | clumsy, awkward (her ungainly way of walking). | ||
| ungodly (adjective) | not religious, sinful, wicked. | ||
| ungrateful (adjective) | not showing due thanks (an ungrateful remark). | ||
| unhappiness (noun) | misfortune, misery. | ||
| unhappy (adjective) | 1 miserable, sad (unhappy that she had failed). 2 unlucky (an unhappy set of circumstances). | ||
| unhealthy (adjective) | 1 not having good health. 2 bad for health (unhealthy diet). 3 having a bad influence. | ||
| uni- | prefix having or consisting only one. | ||
| unicorn (noun) | in fables, an animal like a horse with a single straight horn on its head. | ||
| unicycle (noun) | a one-wheeled cycle straddled by the rider who pushes its pedals. | ||
| uniform (adjective) | 1 unchanging. 2 of one kind, shape, size, etc. n distinctive clothing worn by all members of the same organization, institution, etc (school uniform/police uniform). | ||
| unify (verb) | to unite, to form into one (unify the political factions into a single party). n unification | ||
| unilateral (adjective) | affecting one side or party only (a unilateral attitude to nuclear weapons). | ||
| unintentional (adjective) | not done on purpose. | ||
| union (noun) | 1 a putting together to make one. 2 act of joining together. 3 a trade union (the print unions). | ||
| unique (adjective) | being the only one of its kind, unequalled (she has a unique beauty). | ||
| unisex (adjective) | designed for use by both men and women, not for one particular sex (a unisex hair salon). | ||
| unison (noun) | agreement. in unison all at the same time together. | ||
| unit (noun) | 1 the number one. 2 a single person, thing, or group. 3 a fixed amount, etc, taken as a standard in measuring. | ||
| unite (verb) | 1 to make or become one (unite the two organizations). 2 to join, to act or work together (the people united to defeat the tyrant). | ||
| unity (noun) | 1 oneness. 2 agreement. | ||
| universal (adjective) | 1 total, whole. 2 affecting all, done by everyone (a universal effort). adv universally | ||
| universality (noun) | the state of being universal. | ||
| universe (noun) | 1 the whole of creation. 2 the world. | ||
| university (noun) | a place of higher education in which advanced study in all branches of knowledge is carried on, and by which degrees are awarded to those showing proper achievement in their subjects. | ||
| unjust (adjective) | unfair, dishonest, not just. | ||
| unkempt (adjective) | (of hair) uncombed. | ||
| unkindness | Collective noun for ravens (An unkindness of ravens) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| unlawful (adjective) | against the law, illegal. | ||
| unleaded (adjective) | not containing lead compounds, said of gasoline. | ||
| unleavened (adjective) | not mixed with yeast (unleavened bread). | ||
| unless (conjunction) | if not, except that. | ||
| unlimited (adjective) | as much as is wanted, that cannot be used up (unlimited supply of money). | ||
| unload (verb) | to remove the load or burden from (unload the truck). | ||
| unlucky (adjective) | unfortunate. | ||
| unmask (verb) | to remove a mask or disguise from. | ||
| unmentionable (adjective) | unfit to be mentioned, especially in polite conversation. | ||
| unmitigated (adjective) | complete, with no good qualities, thorough (an unmitigated disaster). | ||
| unmoved (adjective) | firm, calm, not affected (by) (unmoved by the child’s plea). | ||
| unnerve (verb) | to take away the strength or courage of (unnerved by the confidence of the opposition). | ||
| unobtrusive (adjective) | not attracting attention, modest. | ||
| unoccupied (adjective) | empty (unoccupied houses). | ||
| unorthodox (adjective) | holding unusual views, differing from the accepted view. | ||
| unpack (verb) | to open and removed the packed contents of. | ||
| unpalatable (adjective) | 1 unpleasant to taste (unpalatable food). 2 unpleasant (an unpalatable set of events). | ||
| unparalleled (adjective) | that has no equal, unmatched. | ||
| unpopular (adjective) | widely disliked. | ||
| unprecedented (adjective) | without a previous example of the same kind (an unprecedented set of ideas). | ||
| unprejudiced (adjective) | fair, showing favor to no-one. | ||
| unpremeditated (adjective) | done without forethought (an unpremeditated crime). | ||
| unprepossessing (adjective) | unattractive at first sight (an unprepossessing sight). | ||
| unpretentious (adjective) | modest, not attracting attention. | ||
| unprincipled (adjective) | immoral, wicked, recognizing no standards of right or wrong. | ||
| unproductive (adjective) | 1 yielding no crops, etc. 2 giving no profit (an unproductive scheme). | ||
| unprofessional (adjective) | against the rules or customs of a profession (unprofessional conduct). | ||
| unqualified (adjective) | 1 not having the necessary training or skill. 2 complete (an unqualified success). | ||
| unquestionable (adjective) | undoubted, certain (unquestionable proof). | ||
| unravel (verb) | 1 to untangle. 2 to solve (unraveled the problem). | ||
| unrelenting (adjective) | refusing to yield. | ||
| unrelieved (adjective) | 1 without relief (from pain, etc). 2 lacking variety (unrelieved boredom). | ||
| unremitting (adjective) | without pause, ceaseless (his unremitting effort). | ||
| unrequited (adjective) | not rewarded, not returned (unrequited love). | ||
| unresolved (adjective) | not settled, undecided (the matter remains unresolved). | ||
| unrest (noun) | discontent, rebellion. | ||
| unruly (adjective) | disorderly, badly behaved (the unruly behavior of the schoolchildren). | ||
| unsavory (adjective) | also unsavoury (British spelling) unpleasant, without taste or smell (an unsavory dinner). | ||
| unscathed (adjective) | unhurt (he climbed from the wreck unscathed). | ||
| unscrupulous (adjective) | having no standards of good and evil, wicked (an unscrupulous criminal). | ||
| unseemly (adjective) | not fitting, improper (unseemly behavior). | ||
| unsettle (verb) | to upset, to disturb (the incident unsettled them). | ||
| unsheathe (verb) | to draw from a sheath or holder (unsheathe the sword). | ||
| unsightly (adjective) | ugly, unpleasant to look at (an unsightly scar). | ||
| unskilled (adjective) | having no special skill or training. | ||
| unsociable (adjective) | avoiding others, not sociable, unfriendly. | ||
| unsolicited (adjective) | not asked for (unsolicited advice). | ||
| unsophisticated (adjective) | simple, natural, innocent. | ||
| unsound (adjective) | 1 not healthy. 2 faulty (equipment that is unsound). | ||
| unspeakable (adjective) | better or worse than can easily be expressed in words (unspeakable joy). | ||
| unstudied (adjective) | natural, without having tried, not got by study (with unstudied grace). | ||
| unsuspecting (adjective) | free from fear of danger or evil; trusting (he was too unsuspecting to think she was lying). | ||
| untangle (verb) | to free from a snarl, to free from confusion. | ||
| unthinkable (adjective) | beyond the ability to understand or imagine (the unthinkable crime). | ||
| unthinking (adjective) | showing lack of thought, attention, or consideration. | ||
| untie (verb) | to loosen, undo, or unfasten something tied or knotted. | ||
| until (preposition) | up to the time of. (conjunction) up to the time when. | ||
| untimely (adjective) | happening at a wrong or an inconvenient time (her parents-in-law paid an untimely visit just after the death of her father). | ||
| untold (adjective) | 1 not related, not told (untold stories). 2 vast (untold wealth). | ||
| untouchable (noun) | 1 a person or thing that cannot be touched. 2 a member of the lowest Hindu caste, whom a higher caste Hindu may not touch. | ||
| untoward (adjective) | awkward, unsuitable, undesirable (a journey in which nothing untoward happened). | ||
| untrue (adjective) | 1 not true. 2 not loyal, faithless (untrue followers). | ||
| untruth | Collective noun for summoners (An untruth of summoners) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| untruth (noun) | (formal) a lie, a falsehood (tell an untruth). | ||
| untruthful (adjective) | given to lying. | ||
| unusual (adjective) | rare, peculiar, strange (unusual patterns). | ||
| unutterable (adjective) | that cannot be described in words (his unutterable rudeness). | ||
| unveil (verb) | to uncover, to reveal, to disclose to view (unveil the portrait). | ||
| unwelcome (adjective) | not gladly received. | ||
| unwell (adjective) | ill; sick. | ||
| unwieldy (adjective) | 1 huge. 2 hard to move. 3 clumsy. | ||
| unwilling (adjective) | not willing, reluctant (unwilling to get involved). | ||
| unwind (verb) | to undo, to straighten out, to make relaxed or less tense. | ||
| unwitting (adjective) | not knowing (the unwitting cause of her injury). | ||
| unworldly (adjective) | 1 not interested in things in this life. 2 lacking experience of public life. | ||
| unworthy (adjective) | 1 not deserving (a remark unworthy of comment). 2 dishonorable (unworthy thoughts). | ||
| unwrap (verb) | to open, to take off the wrapping. | ||
| unzip (verb) | to open a zipper, to separate the edges by opening a zipper. | ||
| up- prefix combining form to suggest an upward movement. | |||
| up (adverb) | 1 in or to a higher place, amount, etc. 2 above. (preposition) to, toward, or at a higher place on or in. | ||
| up-and-coming (adjective) | gaining in importance or status, promising. | ||
| upbeat (noun) | 1 an upward trend. 2 in music, an unaccented beat, especially on the last note of a bar. adj lively, cheerful. | ||
| upbringing (noun) | a person’s early training at home and school. | ||
| upcoming (adjective) | coming soon. | ||
| upcountry (adjective) | of or located in the central part of a country, inland. | ||
| update (verb) | to bring up to date, to make aware of the most recent facts. Also n. | ||
| updraft (noun) | an upward air current. | ||
| upend (verb) | to set or turn on end. | ||
| upfield (adverb) | and adj into, toward, or in the opposite end of the field. | ||
| upfront (adjective) | very honest and open. | ||
| upgrade (noun) | 1 an upward slope, especially in a road. 2 an improvement of the position or status of something. Also vb. | ||
| upheaval (noun) | 1 the pushing up of part of the earth’s surface by forces below it. 2 a great change (the upheaval of moving houses). | ||
| uphill (adverb) | in an upward direction. adj 1 sloping upward. 2 very difficult (an uphill task). | ||
| uphold (verb) | 1 to support (upholding the right of free speech). 2 to defend as correct (the appeal judge upheld the original sentence). | ||
| upholster (verb) | to provide (chairs, sofas, etc) with springs, stuffing, covering, etc. n upholstery n upholsterer | ||
| upkeep (noun) | 1 the money needed to keep anything in good condition. 2 the act of keeping in good health or condition (the upkeep of the large house). | ||
| upland (noun) | land above other land, as along a river. | ||
| uplift (verb) | 1 to raise. 2 to make to think of higher things (the beautiful singing uplifted his spirits). n the act or process of lifting up. | ||
| upload (verb) | to load or transfer a file or program from a personal computer to a central computer. | ||
| upon (adverb) | on, used only for completing a verb. | ||
| upper (adjective) | higher in place or rank. n the upper part of a shoe. | ||
| uppercase (noun) | capital-letter type used in printing, rather than lower case or small letters. | ||
| uppercut (noun) | (in boxing) a short, swinging blow directed upward toward the chin. | ||
| uppermost (adjective) | highest in place or rank (the thought was uppermost in his mind). | ||
| upright (adjective) | 1 standing straight up. 2 honest (an upright member of the community). n a vertical post. | ||
| uprising | Collective noun for mountaineers (An uprising of mountaineers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| uprising (noun) | the action of rising up, as in a rebelling against the government. | ||
| upriver (adjective/adverb) | toward the source of a river. | ||
| uproar (noun) | loud, confused noise (there was an uproar when the concert was cancelled). | ||
| uproarious (adjective) | noisy (an uproarious party). | ||
| uproot (verb) | to tear up by the roots (the trees were uprooted in the storm). | ||
| upset (verb) | 1 to overturn, to knock over (tables upset during the fight). 2 to spoil completely (plans upset because of a change in the weather). 3 to cause to be sad, worried, etc (his remarks upset her). adj 1 worried. 2 ill. n 1 disturbance. 2 trouble. 3 a sudden misfortune. | ||
| upset price (noun) | the minimum price something can be sold for at an auction. | ||
| upshot (noun) | result, outcome (the upshot of the meetings was a raise for the workers). | ||
| upside (noun) | the upper side or part. | ||
| upside-down (adverb) | with the top down and the bottom upward. | ||
| upstage (adverb) | toward or at the rear of a stage. vb to draw the attention of the audience away from a fellow actor/actress and put the focus on oneself. Also adj. | ||
| upstairs (adverb) | on an upper floor of a house with stairs. | ||
| upstanding (adjective) | 1 standing straight. 2 upright in character and behavior. | ||
| upstart (noun) | a person who has risen quickly to a position of wealth or importance (older members regard him as an upstart). | ||
| upstate (noun) | that part of a state farther to the north or away from a large city. | ||
| upstream (adverb) | and adj in the direction against the current of a stream. | ||
| uptight (adjective) | tense and worried (uptight about the test results). | ||
| up-to-date (adjective) | containing the most recent information. | ||
| uptown (adjective/adverb) | of, in, like, to, or toward the upper part of a city or town, usually the part away from the main business section. | ||
| upward (adjective/adverb) | toward a higher place, position, degree, amount, etc. | ||
| uranium (noun) | a heavy, white, radioactive metal. | ||
| Uranology | study of the heavens; astronomy (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Uranophobia | fear of heaven (see list of phobias) | ||
| Uranus (noun) | the seventh planet away from the sun. | ||
| urban (adjective) | having to do with a city or city life (urban areas of the country). | ||
| urbane (adjective) | polite, refined, smooth (his urbane manner charmed everyone). n urbanity | ||
| Urbanology | study of cities (see list of branches of science) | ||
| urchin (noun) | 1 (old) a ragged, poor street boy. 2 a sea creature with a prickly shell. | ||
| Urenology | study of rust molds (see list of branches of science) | ||
| urethra (noun) | the duct through which urine is passed through the body in most mammals. | ||
| urge (verb) | 1 to press to do (urge her to take the job). 2 to suggest strongly (urge caution). | ||
| urgent (adjective) | requiring to be done quickly or at once, needing immediate attention (it is an urgent matter). n urgency | ||
| urinal , (noun) | a place for passing urine. | ||
| urine (noun) | fluid passed from the kidneys and bladder. adj urinary having to do with urine. | ||
| urn (noun) | 1 a vase for the ashes of the dead. 2 a large container with a tap for making and serving tea. | ||
| Urology | study of urine and the urinary tract (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Urophobia | fear of urine or urinating (see list of phobias) | ||
| us (pronoun) | (objective) the writer or speaker together with another person or other people. | ||
| usable (adjective) | that can be used. | ||
| usage (noun) | treatment (furniture subjected to rough usage). | ||
| use (verb) | 1 to do something with for a purpose (use a knife to cut the butter). 2 to employ (use a great many long words). 3 to consume (use all the butter). n 1 the act of using, the state of being used (for use in emergencies). 2 advantage, benefit, value (a book that is of no use to us). 3 the power of using (lose the use of her legs). 4 permission to use, the right to use (give them the use of the car). use up to consume or exhaust, leaving nothing. | ||
| useful (adjective) | 1 of help (useful advice). 2 able to be used (tools no longer useful). | ||
| useless (adjective) | 1 of no help. 2 not any use. | ||
| user (noun) | a person or thing that uses something (he had been a drug user for a long time). | ||
| user-friendly (adjective) | designed to be used easily by a wide range of people who are not experts (a user-friendly computer program). | ||
| usher (noun) | a person who meets people at the door (of a church, hall, etc) and shows them to their seats (usher the guests to their seats). vb to show in. f usherette | ||
| usual (adjective) | common, normal (the usual price). | ||
| usurer (noun) | a person whose business consists of lending money at high interest. | ||
| usurp (verb) | to seize power or property to which one has no right (an attempt was made to usurp the king’s authority). n usurpation n usurper | ||
| usury (noun) | (formal) the lending of money at high interest. | ||
| utensil (noun) | a vessel or object in common household use, such as a fork or knife (kitchen utensils). | ||
| uterine (adjective) | 1 of the uterus. 2 having the same mother but different fathers. | ||
| uterus (noun) | a female organ in mammals in which babies are developed; the womb. | ||
| utilitarian (noun) | a person who considers that a thing or action is good only if it is useful. Also adj. | ||
| utilitarianism (noun) | the belief that only what is useful is good. | ||
| utility (noun) | 1 usefulness. 2 benefit. 3 a public service (gas and other utilities). | ||
| utilize (verb), | also utilise (British spelling) to make use of (utilize her powers of observation). | ||
| utmost (adjective) | 1 the farthest (the utmost parts of the earth). 2 the greatest (utmost tact). | ||
| utopia (noun) | an imaginary state in which everything is perfect. | ||
| utopian (adjective) | perfect but impossible to achieve. | ||
| utter1 (adjective) | complete, total (he is an utter fool). | ||
| utter2 (verb) | to speak, to pronounce (I was there when he uttered his first words). | ||
| utterance (noun) | 1 something said. 2 a way of speaking. | ||
| uttermost (adjective) | 1 farthest (the uttermost parts of the earth). 2 greatest (the uttermost care). | ||
| U-turn (noun) | 1 a turn made so as to head in the opposite direction. 2 a complete change in policy, ideas, etc. | ||
| uvula (noun) | a small piece of flesh hanging inside the back of the mouth. | ||
V
| V, v (noun) | the twenty-second letter of the alphabet. | ||
| vacancy (noun) | 1 an empty space. 2 a job to be filled (advertise vacancies in the paper). | ||
| vacant (adjective) | 1 empty, not occupied (vacant flats). 2 unthinking (in a vacant mood). adv vacantly | ||
| vacate (verb) | 1 (formal) to leave empty (vacate the flat). 2 to give up (vacate his position in the firm). | ||
| vacation (noun) | a period away from home for rest or relaxation. | ||
| vaccinate (verb) | to inject with vaccine or with fluids giving protection against diseases. n vaccination | ||
| vaccine (noun) | a substance made from the germs that cause a particular disease and given to someone to prevent the disease. smallpox vaccine fluid taken from a cow infected with cowpox and injected into a person’s bloodstream to cause a mild attack of smallpox and so protect against worse attacks later. | ||
| Vaccinophobia | fear of vaccination (see list of phobias) | ||
| vacillate (verb) | (formal) to keep on changing your mind, to hesitate to come to a decision (vacillate about moving house). n vacillation | ||
| vacuous (adjective) | 1 (formal) empty, meaningless (a vacuous life). 2 without expression (look vacuous). | ||
| vacuum (noun) | a space from which all the air has been taken. | ||
| vacuum cleaner (noun) | a machine that cleans carpets, etc, by sucking dust into a bag. | ||
| vagabond (noun) | a person who wanders aimlessly from place to place. adj wandering. | ||
| vagary (noun) | a piece of odd or unexpected behavior (the vagaries of human life/the vagaries of the weather). | ||
| vagrant (adjective) | wandering. n a wanderer or hobo. n vagrancy | ||
| vague (adjective) | not clear, not definite (a vague idea of where he might be). adv vaguely n vagueness | ||
| vain (adjective) | 1 having no meaning or value (vain words). 2 too proud of yourself (so vain that he is always looking in the mirror). 3 useless (a vain attempt to swim the river). adv vainly in vain without result or effect. | ||
| valance (noun) | a short drapery hanging from a couch, bedstead, etc, to the floor. | ||
| vale (noun) | (formal) a valley. | ||
| valediction (noun) | (formal) a farewell. adj valedictory | ||
| valency (noun) | the power of chemical elements to combine. | ||
| valentine (noun) | 1 a person who is chosen as a lover or beloved on St Valentine’s Day, February 14. 2 a card expressing love sent on this day. | ||
| valet (noun) | a man’s personal servant. | ||
| valiant (adjective) | brave (a valiant attempt to save the drowning man). adv valiantly | ||
| valid (adjective) | 1 correct according to law (a regulation no longer valid). 2 good, sound (asked to validate her husband’s alibi). n validity | ||
| validate (verb) | (formal) to make valid. | ||
| valley (noun) | the low ground between neighboring hills or mountains, often watered by a river. | ||
| valor (noun), | also valour (British spelling) bravery, courage (pay tribute to the valor of the soldiers). adj valorous | ||
| valuable (adjective) | 1 of great worth or importance (valuable advice). 2 costly (valuable jewels). | ||
| valuables (noun, plural) | precious things (have her valuables insured). | ||
| valuation (noun) | the estimated worth, price, or importance of a thing (ask for a valuation of the property). | ||
| value (noun) | 1 worth, importance (information that was of value to the police). 2 price, cost (the marked value of the vase). npl the standards by which you judge the worth of things (moral values). adj valueless | ||
| valuer (noun) | a person who estimates the value of things. | ||
| valve (noun) | 1 a device that, when opened, allows gas, air, fluid, etc, to pass through in one direction only. 2 in radio sets, a device by which you can control the power of waves transmitted or received. | ||
| vamp (noun) | the upper part of a boot or shoe. vb to play music made up as you play. | ||
| vampire (noun) | 1 in old stories, a ghost supposed to suck the blood of the living. 2 a bloodsucking bat. | ||
| van1 (noun) | a covered wagon for goods or animals. | ||
| van2 | short for vanguard. | ||
| vandal (noun) | a person who purposefully and pointlessly destroys or damages public buildings or other property. n vandalism vb vandalize , also vandalise (British spelling) | ||
| vane | Collective noun for directions (A vane of directions) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| vane (noun) | 1 a weathercock. 2 the blade of a windmill, propeller, etc. | ||
| vanguard (noun) | 1 the front part of an army or fleet. 2 those leading the way. abbreviation van. | ||
| vanilla (noun) | a flavoring prepared from a tropical plant (a dessert flavored with vanilla essence). | ||
| vanish (verb) | 1 to disappear (the chill seems to have vanished). 2 to pass out of sight (the car vanished around the corner). | ||
| vanity (noun) | 1 lack of meaning or value (the vanity of human ambition). 2 too great pride in yourself, conceit (she was disliked for her vanity). | ||
| vanquish (verb) | to defeat completely (vanquish the enemy). | ||
| vantage (noun) | 1 (old) advantage. 2 a point in lawn tennis (after deuce). | ||
| vantage point (noun) | a good position (the hill was a good vantage point from which to see the procession). | ||
| vapid (adjective) | lacking in spirit, dull (so vapid as to bore everyone). | ||
| vapor (noun), | also vapour (British spelling) 1 the gas given off by a body when sufficiently heated. 2 mist. | ||
| vaporize (verb), | also vaporise (British spelling) to turn into vapor. | ||
| variable (adjective) | 1 quick to change (variable in her opinions). 2 changing often or easily (variable temperature). | ||
| variance (noun) | at variance with in disagreement with. | ||
| variant (noun) | a different or alternative form. adj different (variant spellings of the word). | ||
| variation (noun) | change, difference (variations in temperature). | ||
| varicose (adjective) | varicose veins swollen veins. | ||
| varied (adjective) | including many different things. | ||
| variegate (verb) | to mark with different colors (the leaves were variegated). adj variegated. | ||
| variety (noun) | 1 the state of being different. 2 a collection of different or slightly different things. 3 a class or species. 4 a theater show with performers of different kinds. | ||
| various (adjective) | of several different types (various pets, such as cats, dogs, and rabbits). | ||
| varmint (noun) | (informal) 1 an animal regarded as a pest. 2 a despicable person. | ||
| varnish (noun) | a clear, sticky liquid used to give a shiny surface to wood, metal, paper, etc. vb to coat with varnish (varnish the floorboards). | ||
| vary (verb) | to make or become different, to change (his rate of work never varies). | ||
| vase (noun) | a vessel used for holding flowers or as an ornament. | ||
| Vaseline™ (noun) | a jelly made from petroleum, used on the skin as an ointment. | ||
| vassal (noun) | in the feudal system, a person who held land from a lord on condition that he performed certain services for the lord. | ||
| vast (adjective) | 1 of great extent (vast plans). 2 huge (a vast improvement). adv vastly n vastness | ||
| vat (noun) | a large tub or tank. | ||
| Vatican (noun) | the Pope’s palace in Rome. | ||
| vaudeville (noun) | an entertainment including songs and dances, usually comic; a light variety entertainment. | ||
| vault1 (noun) | 1 an arched roof. 2 a room, usually underground, with an arched roof (e.g. a cellar, a tomb, etc). | ||
| vault2 (verb) | to jump over while resting the hand on something for support (vault over the fences). n a leap (over something). | ||
| v-chip (noun) | a device that can be attached to a television to block unsuitable shows from being viewed. | ||
| VCR (noun) | video cassette recorder. | ||
| VDU (noun) | visual display unit. | ||
| veal (noun) | the flesh of a calf. | ||
| veejay (noun) | a person on a television music show who presents music videos. | ||
| veer (verb) | to change direction (the wind has veered to the north). | ||
| vegan (noun) | a person who eats no food made from animal products. | ||
| vegetable (noun) | a plant grown for food (soup made with fresh vegetables). | ||
| vegetarian (noun) | a person who eats no meat. n vegetarianism | ||
| vegetate (verb) | 1 to live a plant’s life. 2 to lead a dull, inactive life (she is vegetating staying in her house all day). | ||
| vegetation (noun) | 1 plants in general. 2 the plants of a particular region (jungle vegetation). | ||
| vehement (adjective) | 1 full of strong feeling, passionate (a vehement protest). 2 having a forceful way of speaking. n vehemence adv vehemently | ||
| vehicle (noun) | 1 any type of carriage, cart, etc, used on land for carrying people or things (lots of vehicles on display in the transport museum). 2 (formal) a means of doing something (the newspaper is a vehicle of communication). adj vehicular | ||
| Vehophobia | fear of driving (see list of phobias) | ||
| veil (noun) | 1 a cloth worn over the face to hide or protect it (a bridal veil). 2 something that hides or conceals (a veil of mist). vb 1 to conceal (try to conceal her dislike of him). 2 to cover (mist veiling the hill). | ||
| vein (noun) | 1 one of the blood vessels through which blood flows back to the heart. 2 a sap tube or small rib of a leaf. 3 a layer of mineral in a rock. 4 a mood (in a light-hearted vein). | ||
| Velcro™ (noun) | a type of fastening for clothing, etc, consisting of two strips of fabric which stick to each other when pressed together. | ||
| veld, veldt (noun) | in South Africa, a wide expanse of grassy country with few trees. | ||
| velocity (noun) | speed. | ||
| velour or velours (noun) | a material like velvet. | ||
| velvet (noun) | a thick silk or synthetic fabric, with a soft pile on one side. | ||
| velvety (adjective) | soft and smooth, like velvet (the velvety skin of a peach). | ||
| venal (adjective) | ready to take bribes, corrupt. n venality | ||
| vendetta (noun) | a feud between two families in which each is bound to revenge the death of any of its members killed by the other. | ||
| vending machine (noun) | a machine from which certain items can be bought by putting coins in it (he got a cold drink from a vending machine). | ||
| vendor (noun) | a person who sells (a street vendor selling newspapers). | ||
| veneer | Collective noun for newscasters (A veneer of newscasters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| veneer (noun) | 1 a thin layer (of fine wood, plastic, etc) glued on the surface of another inferior one. 2 something that appears fine but is not deep or lasting (a veneer of sincerity). vb to cover with veneer. | ||
| Venereology | study of venereal disease (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Venetian (adjective) | from or of Venice. | ||
| venetian blind (noun) | a window blind made from horizontal strips of thin wood, plastic, etc. | ||
| vengeance (noun) | harm done in return for harm or injury received; revenge (seek vengeance for his brother’s death). | ||
| vengeful (adjective) | desiring revenge. | ||
| venison (noun) | the flesh of deer. | ||
| venom (noun) | 1 (formal) poison (the venom of the cobra). 2 spite (a look full of venom). | ||
| venomous (adjective) | 1 poisonous (venomous reptile). 2 spiteful (venomous remarks). | ||
| vent (noun) | 1 a hole or opening through which air, smoke, etc, can pass. 2 an outlet. 3 expression (give vent to his rage). vb to give free expression to (vented his rage on the children). | ||
| ventilate (verb) | 1 to allow fresh air to pass into or through (ventilate the room by opening the windows). 2 to discuss freely (ventilate topics of interest to all). n ventilation | ||
| ventilator (noun) | any device to let in fresh air. | ||
| ventriloquist (noun) | a person who is able to speak without moving the or her lips, in such a way that the voice seems to come from another person. n ventriloquism | ||
| venture (noun) | an undertaking that may lead you into loss or danger (a business venture). vb 1 to dare (venture to go into the jungle alone). 2 to risk (venture his savings on the scheme). | ||
| venturesome (adjective) | (formal) ready to take risks, daring. | ||
| venue (noun) | the place appointed for a public event (the venue of the concert). | ||
| Venus (noun) | 1 the Roman goddess of love. 2 the second planet away from the sun. | ||
| Venustraphobia | fear of beautiful women (see list of phobias) | ||
| veranda, verandah (noun) | a covered platform or open balcony along the wall of a house. | ||
| verb (noun) | a word that tells of the action or state of the subject of a sentence. | ||
| verbal (adjective) | 1 of or in words. 2 by word of mouth. 3 word for word. adv verbally | ||
| verbatim (adverb) | word for word (she wrote down the statement verbatim). | ||
| Verbophobia | fear of words (see list of phobias) | ||
| verbose (adjective) | (formal) using too many words, using more words than are necessary (a verbose style). n verbosity | ||
| verdict (noun) | 1 the decision of a jury. 2 a considered opinion or judgment (their verdict on the food at the new restaurant). | ||
| verdigris (noun) | the green rust on metals of various kinds (. | ||
| verge (noun) | 1 the edging of a road etc (the grass verges of the highway). 2 edge, brink (on the verge of losing his temper). Also vb. | ||
| verger (noun) | a church attendant or usher. | ||
| verify (verb) | 1 confirm (verify the statement). 2 to prove to be true. n verification | ||
| veritable (adjective) | (fml or hum) true, real, actual (a veritable feast). | ||
| verity (noun) | (formal) truth. | ||
| vermicelli (noun) | long thin threads of pasta | ||
| vermilion (noun), | also vermillion a bright red color. | ||
| vermin (noun, plural) | 1 small animals that do harm (e.g. to crops), as rats, mice, etc. 2 insects connected with discomfort to human beings or dirt. | ||
| Verminophobia | fear of germs (see list of phobias) | ||
| vernacular (noun) | the language spoken from infancy by the people of a certain country or district. | ||
| verruca (noun) | a plantar wart on the sole of the foot. | ||
| versatile (adjective) | able to do many different kinds of things (a versatile tool). n versatility | ||
| verse (noun) | 1 poetry. 2 writing set down in the form of poetry. 3 a stanza. 4 a short division of a chapter of the Bible. | ||
| versed (adjective) | skilled, having knowledge (a student versed in Latin). | ||
| version (noun) | 1 an account or description peculiar to a particular person (his version of the events before the accident). 2 a translation. | ||
| versus (preposition) | against. | ||
| vertebra (noun) | (pl vertebrae ) one of the bones of the spine. | ||
| vertebrate (adjective) | having a backbone. | ||
| vertex (noun) | (pl vertices ) the highest point, the top (the vertex of the pyramid). | ||
| vertical (adjective) | upright, at right angles to the bottom or ground level, running straight from top to bottom. | ||
| vertigo (noun) | dizziness, giddiness (suffer from vertigo at the top of the ladder). | ||
| verve (noun) | enthusiasm, liveliness (set about the task with verve). | ||
| very (adverb) | extremely. adj true, real (the very person we were looking for). | ||
| vespers (noun, plural) | evening service in church. | ||
| vessel (noun) | 1 a container for holding things. 2 a ship or boat. | ||
| vest (noun) | 1 a sleeveless garment worn by men below a suit coat. 2 (British spelling) undershirt. | ||
| vested interests (noun, plural) | rights that have been long held and will not readily be given up. | ||
| vestibule (noun) | a porch or small compartment between the outer and inner front doors of a house; a small entrance hall. | ||
| vestige (noun) | 1 a mark or trace (vestiges of old customs). 2 a very small amount (not a vestige of the truth). | ||
| Vestiphobia | fear of clothing (see list of phobias) | ||
| vestment (noun) | a garment or robe, especially that worn by a priest or official. | ||
| vestry (noun) | a room in a church where the robes of priests, etc, are kept. | ||
| vet1 | short for veteran or veterinarian. | ||
| vet2 (verb) | (vetted , vetting ) to approve, to pass as sound (has to have his application vetted by the committee). | ||
| veteran (noun) | 1 an old person having long experience. 2 a soldier who has served in a war (a Vietnam veteran). Also adj. | ||
| veterinarian (noun) | someone who is qualified to give medical treatment to sick and injured animals. abbreviation vet. | ||
| veterinary (adjective) | having to do with the diseases of domestic animals. | ||
| veto (noun) | (pl vetoes ) the right to refuse or forbid. vb to forbid, to refuse to allow discussion of (vetoing the suggestion). | ||
| vex (verb) | to make angry, to annoy (their mother was vexed by the children’s behavior). n vexation | ||
| vexatious (adjective) | annoying, troublesome. | ||
| Vexillology | study of flags (see list of branches of science) | ||
| via (preposition) | by way of. | ||
| viable (adjective) | 1 able to exist or survive (a viable fetus). 2 workable (a viable proposition). n viability | ||
| viaduct (noun) | a long arched bridge carrying a road or railroad over a valley, etc. | ||
| vibrant (adjective) | 1 quivering (singing in a vibrant voice). 2 full of energy (a vibrant personality). 3 bright, shining (vibrant colors). n vibrancy adv vibrantly | ||
| vibrate (verb) | 1 to move quickly backward and forward. 2 to shake, to quiver. n vibration | ||
| vicar (noun) | the priest or minister in charge of a parish. | ||
| vicarage (noun) | the house of a vicar. | ||
| vicarious (adjective) | 1 suffered or undergone in place of another. 2 enjoyed or experienced through the medium of other people (vicarious pleasures). | ||
| vice- | prefix in the place of, next in order to (vice-admiral, vice-president, etc). | ||
| vice versa (adverb) | the other way around (dogs dislike cats and vice versa). | ||
| vice1 (noun) | a fault, a bad habit (smoking was his only vice). | ||
| vice2 | see vise. | ||
| vice3 (preposition) | in place of. | ||
| viceroy (noun) | a person who rules on behalf of a king or queen. | ||
| vicinity (noun) | neighborhood (look for a restaurant in the vicinity of the hotel). | ||
| vicious (adjective) | wicked, evil, ill-tempered (a vicious temper vi-shus-lee vi-shus-ness/. | ||
| vicious circle (noun) | a series in which each bad event or action or argument leads on to a worse one. | ||
| victim (noun) | 1 a person who suffers either from his or her own faults or from outside circumstances (the police have not named the victims killed in the explosion). 2 a person or animal killed and offered in sacrifice. | ||
| victimize (verb), | also victimise (British spelling) to make to suffer, to treat unfairly (people victimized for their beliefs). n victimization , also victimisation (British spelling) | ||
| Victimology | study of victims (see list of branches of science) | ||
| victor (noun) | a person who wins or conquers. | ||
| victorious (adjective) | successful in a war, battle, contest, or match (the victorious team). | ||
| victory (noun) | the winning of a battle, contest, or game (victory in the tennis tournament). | ||
| victuals (noun, plural) | food. | ||
| video (noun) | the transmission or recording of television shows or movies using a television set and a video cassette recorder and videotape. Also vb. | ||
| video game (noun) | an electronic game with images that you can manipulate on a video screen. | ||
| vie (verb) | to try hard to do better than, to compete with (the two boys spent the evening vying for her attention). | ||
| view (noun) | 1 all that can be seen at one look or from one point, a scene (the view from the hill). 2 opinion (in his view she is not suitable for the job). 3 intention (buy the house with the intention of building an extension). vb 1 to look at (view the property). 2 to examine, to consider (view all possible solutions). | ||
| viewer (noun) | a person who watches something, e.g. television. | ||
| viewpoint (noun) | 1 a place from which you can see the surroundings well. 2 the way in which you consider or think of something (try to see the problem from the viewpoint of the teacher). | ||
| vigil (noun) | an act of staying awake all night or of remaining watchful (keep a vigil at his injured son’s bedside). | ||
| vigilance | Collective noun for environmentalists (A vigilance of environmentalists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| vigilance (noun) | watchfulness, care. | ||
| vigilant (adjective) | watchful, careful (the police asked the public to remain vigilant). adv vigilantly | ||
| vigilante (noun) | a member of an unauthorized group who try to prevent, or who punish, crime in their neighborhood. | ||
| vigor (noun), | also vigour (British spelling) strength and energy, power of mind. | ||
| vigorous (adjective) | full of strength or energy, active (vigorous young athletes vi-grus-lee/. | ||
| Viking (noun) | a Norse pirate or sea rover of the 8th to 10th centuries. | ||
| vile (adjective) | 1 wicked, evil (a vile crime/a vile old man). 2 disgusting, horrible (a vile meal at the new restaurant). | ||
| vilify (verb) | to speak ill of (he was vilified by the press for his part in the affair). n vilification | ||
| villa (noun) | 1 a country house. 2 in a town, a house with a garden and a space between it and the houses on either side. | ||
| village | Collective noun for gays (A village of gays) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| village (noun) | a group of houses, stores, etc, smaller than a town. | ||
| villager (noun) | a person who lives in a village. | ||
| villain (noun) | a bad or wicked person, a scoundrel (police are looking for the dangerous villain). | ||
| villainous (adjective) | wicked. | ||
| villainy (noun) | wickedness. | ||
| vim (noun) | energy, strength, force (a gymnastic performance that was full of vim). | ||
| vindicate (verb) | 1 to show that charges made are untrue, to free from blame (the testimony of the witness completely vindicated him). 2 to prove that something is true or right, to justify (her success vindicates his faith in her). n vindication | ||
| vindictive (adjective) | eager to obtain revenge, spiteful (have a vindictive streak). | ||
| vine (noun) | a climbing plant that bears grapes. | ||
| vinegar (noun) | a sour liquid, dilute acetic acid, made from wine or malt and used in cooking or for seasoning. | ||
| vinegary (adjective) | sour. | ||
| vineyard (noun) | a field or area in which vines are cultivated. | ||
| Vinology | study of vines and winemaking (see list of branches of science) | ||
| vintage (noun) | 1 the number of grapes or amount of wine obtained from one vineyard in a year. 2 all the wine made from the grapes grown in a certain year. adj 1 of a good vintage. 2 classic, best of its kind. 3 of a time gone by. | ||
| vinyl (noun) | a kind of strong plastic that can bend easily, used to make wall and floor coverings, etc, and, especially formerly, records. | ||
| viola1 (noun) | a large type of violin. | ||
| viola2 (noun) | a family of plants, including the violet, pansy, etc. | ||
| violate (verb) | to break (violate the peace treaty). n violation n violator | ||
| violence (noun) | 1 great force (the violence of the wind). 2 harm, injury (he was so angry that he resorted to violence). | ||
| violent (adjective) | 1 strong (a violent quarrel). 2 using force (the man grew more violent). adv violently | ||
| violet (noun) | 1 a small bluish-purple flower. 2 a bluish-purple color. adj bluish-purple (violet eyes). | ||
| violin (noun) | a four-stringed musical instrument played with a bow. n violinist. | ||
| violoncello (noun) | a large violin giving deep notes. n violoncellist abbreviation cello ). | ||
| viper (noun) | 1 a poisonous snake. 2 (lit) a treacherous or spiteful person. | ||
| virago (noun) | (pl viragoes or viragos ) a bad-tempered, scolding woman. | ||
| virgin (adjective) | 1 pure. 2 untouched; still in its original condition (virgin territory). n virginity adj virginal | ||
| Virginitiphobia | fear of rape (see list of phobias) | ||
| virile (adjective) | manly, strong (virile athletes). n virility | ||
| Virology | study of viruses (see list of branches of science) | ||
| virtual (adjective) | being so in fact but not in name or title (her husband is so weak that she is virtual head of the company). adv virtually | ||
| virtual reality (noun) | the computer simulation of three-dimensional images surrounding the viewer, allowing him or her to interact with the images. | ||
| virtue | Collective noun for patients (A virtue of patients) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| virtue (noun) | 1 goodness of life or character. 2 a good quality, power, strength (generosity is her greatest virtue). | ||
| virtuoso (noun) | (pl virtuosi or virtuosos ) an exceptionally highly skilled musician or other artist. n virtuosity | ||
| virtuous (adjective) | morally good, of good character, leading a good life. adv virtuously | ||
| virulent (adjective) | 1 powerful, dangerous (virulent passions). 2 full of hatred, spiteful (virulent criticisms). n virulence | ||
| virus (noun) | any of various types of germ that are smaller than bacteria and cause infectious diseases in the body. | ||
| visa (noun) | a permit stamped on a passport, giving the owner the right to enter or leave a particular country. | ||
| visage (noun) | (formal) the face. | ||
| vis-à-vis (preposition) | (formal) with regard to (the committee’s position vis-à-vis the proposed changes). | ||
| viscose (noun) | a kind of rayon made from viscous cellulose. | ||
| viscount (noun) | a nobleman of the rank below an earl. | ||
| viscous (adjective) | sticky (viscous substances). n viscosity | ||
| vise (noun), | also vice (British spelling) an instrument for holding something (a piece of wood, metal, etc) steady while it is being worked on. | ||
| visibility (noun) | 1 clearness to sight. 2 the state of weather, atmosphere, etc, as they affect your ability to see clearly (visibility was poor on the highway). | ||
| visible (adjective) | able to be seen. adv visibly | ||
| vision | Collective noun for optometrists (A vision of optometrists) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| vision (noun) | 1 the ability to see, sight (have poor vision in one eye). 2 something imagined as in a dream (God came to him in a vision). 3 something seen that has no bodily existence (see a ghostly vision). 4 the power to foresee consequences (he had a vision of the result). | ||
| visionary (adjective) | 1 existing only in the imagination (visionary scheme). 2 full of fancies or hopes of perfection (a visionary writer). n a person who believes in ideals that cannot be achieved in his or her lifetime. | ||
| visit (verb) | 1 to go to see or stay with (visiting his parents). 2 to call upon (we visited with the bride’s family). n 1 a call upon. 2 a short stay. | ||
| visitation (noun) | 1 an official visit. 2 suffering believed to be sent by God as punishment. | ||
| visitor (noun) | a person who visits. | ||
| visor (noun) | 1 (old) a movable part of a helmet, protecting the face when closed. 2 the peak of a cap. | ||
| vista (noun) | a narrow view, as seen between rows of houses, trees, etc. | ||
| visual (adjective) | of the sense of sight. adv visually | ||
| vital (adjective) | 1 very important (a meeting vital to the peace treaty). 2 unable to be done without, necessary to life (vital organs). adv vitally | ||
| vitality (noun) | energy, vigor, liveliness. | ||
| vitals (noun, plural) | the organs of the body necessary to life. | ||
| vitamin (noun) | one of several substances found in food, necessary to the health of the body. | ||
| vitreous (adjective) | of or like glass. | ||
| Vitricophobia | fear of step-father (see list of phobias) | ||
| Vitrics | study of glassware (see list of branches of science) | ||
| vitriol (noun) | 1 sulfuric acid. 2 hostile language. | ||
| vitriolic (adjective) | using violent language, full of hatred (a vitriolic attack on the government policy). | ||
| vivacious (adjective) | lively, bright, and talkative (a vivacious personality). adv vivaciously | ||
| vivacity (noun) | liveliness (the girl’s vivacity). | ||
| vivid (adjective) | 1 bright, striking, 2 appearing true to life (a vivid dream vi-vid-lee/. | ||
| vivisection (noun) | the cutting up of a living animal to assist scientific experiment. | ||
| vixen (noun) | a female fox. | ||
| vizier (noun) | a high political official in some Muslim countries. | ||
| vocabulary (noun) | 1 all the words used by a certain person or in a certain work (a child with a large vocabulary). 2 a list of words with their meaning (a vocabulary at the back of the book). | ||
| vocal (adjective) | 1 having to do with the voice, spoken or sung (the vocal organs). 2 intended to be heard (vocal opposition to the plan). adv vocally. | ||
| vocal cords (noun, plural) | two membranes in the throat that produce vocal sounds. | ||
| vocalist (noun) | a singer. | ||
| vocation (noun) | 1 your employment, profession, or trade. 2 the particular work you feel you are specially fitted for (being a minister of the church is a vocation). | ||
| vocational (adjective) | concerned with your profession or trade. | ||
| vociferous (adjective) | 1 noisy. 2 expressing opinions loudly or openly (a vociferous protest from the crowd). | ||
| vodka (noun) | a kind of strong alcoholic liquor, made from grain or potatoes, originating in Russia. | ||
| vogue (noun) | a popular or passing fashion (the length of skirt currently in vogue). | ||
| voice (noun) | 1 the sound produced through the mouth when speaking or singing (the choir boy has a lovely voice). 2 a vote, an opinion (the voice of the people). 3 the right to speak or express an opinion (the workers had no voice). 4 (gram) a grouping of forms of the verb according to whether they are active or passive. vb 1 to say. 2 to express (voice their disapproval). | ||
| voicemail (noun) | an electronic system for storing telephone messages so that they can be listened to later. | ||
| void (adjective) | 1 (formal) empty (a statement void of meaning). 2 having no effect, having no force (regulations that are now void). n empty space. | ||
| volatile (adjective) | 1 easily changing into gas. 2 able to evaporate readily. 3 changing moods or ideas often (a volatile personality). n volatility | ||
| volcano (noun) | (pl volcanoes ) a mountain with an opening at its summit through which molten rock, metals, etc, are occasionally forced up in a red-hot stream from beneath the surface of the earth. adj volcanic | ||
| Volcanology | study of volcanoes (see list of branches of science) | ||
| vole (noun) | the water-rat. | ||
| volition (noun) | willpower (leave of his own volition). | ||
| volley (noun) | 1 the firing of several guns or throwing of many things at the same time. 2 the speaking of a number of words in quick succession (a volley of questions addressed to the speaker). 3 in tennis, the hitting of a ball before it touches the ground. vb 1 to send a volley. 2 to hit (a ball) before it touches the ground. | ||
| volleyball (noun) | a game in which two teams volley a ball back and forth over a net. | ||
| volt (noun) | the unit used in measuring electrical power or force. | ||
| voltage (noun) | electrical power measured in volts. | ||
| voluble (adjective) | speaking much (she is voluble on the subject of her son’s education). n volubility | ||
| volume (noun) | 1 a book. 2 one of a series in a set of books (volume three of the encyclopedia). 3 the amount of space taken up by anything (the volume of water in the tank). 4 a large mass or amount (the volume of trade). 5 level of sound (turn up the volume on the radio). | ||
| voluminous (adjective) | 1 taking up much space (a voluminous skirt). 2 very big, holding a lot (a voluminous suitcase). | ||
| voluntary (adjective) | done of your own free will, not forced (face voluntary early retirement). n an organ solo before or after a church service. | ||
| volunteer (noun) | a person who offers to do something without being asked or ordered (volunteers required to visit the elderly). vb 1 to offer your services. 2 to give (information) unasked (she volunteered that she had no experience of doing the job). | ||
| voluptuous (adjective) | 1 having a full, rounded figure (voluptuous women). 2 tempting to bodily pleasures (the voluptuous movements of the dancers). 3 giving pleasure to the senses (the voluptuous feel of velvet). | ||
| vomit (verb) | 1 to throw up from the stomach through the mouth; to be sick. 2 to put out in large clouds, e.g. of smoke (factory chimneys vomiting black smoke). | ||
| voodoo (noun) | a primitive and degraded form of worship, witchcraft. | ||
| voracious (adjective) | very greedy. adv voraciously n voracity | ||
| vortex (noun) | 1 a whirlpool. 2 a whirlwind. | ||
| vote (noun) | 1 an expression of opinion for or against a proposal (60 votes for the proposal and 10 against). 2 the support given by an individual to a person contesting an election. vb 1 to give a vote. 2 to decide by vote. n voter. | ||
| vouch (verb) | to speak (on behalf of) with confidence, to confirm, to guarantee (able to vouch for his friend’s statement). | ||
| voucher (noun) | 1 a paper handed over in exchange for goods instead of cash (the company provided staff with luncheon vouchers). 2 a receipt. | ||
| vouchsafe (verb) | (formal) to be good enough to give or grant (reluctant to vouchsafe a reply). | ||
| vow (noun) | a solemn promise, a promise made to God. vb to promise solemnly. | ||
| vowel (noun) | 1 a simple sound (a, e, i, o, u) made by the voice without obstruction to the air passage. 2 the letter representing it. | ||
| voyage (noun) | a long journey, especially by sea (a voyage to Australia). | ||
| vulcanize (verb), | also vulcanise (British spelling) to treat rubber with sulfur. | ||
| vulgar (adjective) | 1 coarse in manners or behavior; rude (a vulgar comment vul-gar-lee/. | ||
| vulgar fraction (noun) | a fraction other than a decimal fraction (e.g. 5/8). | ||
| vulgarity (noun) | rudeness, coarseness. | ||
| vulnerable (adjective) | 1 able to be wounded or hurt (the bully always picked on the most vulnerable people). 2 weakly defended against attack (the army was in a vulnerable position). n vulnerability | ||
| vulture (noun) | a large bird that feeds on the flesh of dead animals (he could see the vultures circling in the air above the dead zebra). | ||
W
| W, w (noun) | the twenty-third letter of the alphabet. | ||
| wacky (adjective) | mad or eccentric. | ||
| wad | Collective noun for bills (A wad of bills) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| wad | Collective noun for money (A wad of money) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| wad | Collective noun for notes (A wad of notes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| wad (noun) | 1 a lump of soft fibrous material for padding garments, stopping holes, etc. 2 a bundle (a wad of paper money). | ||
| wadding (noun) | soft material used for padding, etc. | ||
| waddle (verb) | to walk, rolling from side to side, as a duck (she was so fat she waddled). Also n. | ||
| wade (verb) | 1 to walk through water. 2 to walk slowly and with difficulty. 3 to read through with difficulty. | ||
| wader (noun) | any long-legged bird that wades in water in search of food. | ||
| waders (noun, plural) | high waterproof boots worn by fishermen, etc. | ||
| wafer (noun) | a very thin cake or cracker. | ||
| waffle iron (noun) | a device with a grid pattern for baking waffles. | ||
| waffle1 (noun) | a batter cake with a grid pattern, baked in a waffle iron | ||
| waffle2 (verb) | (informal) to talk in a rambling way (the teacher waffled). | ||
| waft (verb) | to bear along gently through the air. | ||
| wag (verb) | (wagged , wagging ) to shake up and down or to and fro (he wagged his finger while giving the children a warning). n 1 a wagging movement. 2 a person who is fond of telling jokes or making amusing comments. | ||
| wage (noun) | money paid regularly for work done (often pl). vb to carry on (wage war). | ||
| wager (noun) | a bet. vb to bet. | ||
| waggle (verb) | to wag. | ||
| wagon (noun) | 1 a four-wheeled vehicle used to carry loads. 2 a four-wheeled toy vehicle or cart, pulled by a long handle. | ||
| wagtail (noun) | a small bird with a long tail that it wags constantly. | ||
| waif (noun) | a homeless child or animal. | ||
| wail | Collective noun for sirens (A wail of sirens) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| wail (verb) | to cry aloud in grief or distress (the children wailed when their parents went away). n a loud cry of grief, a moaning cry. | ||
| waist (noun) | the narrowest part of the human trunk, just below the ribs. | ||
| waistcoat | see vest. | ||
| wait (verb) | 1 to stay in a place in the hope or expectation of something happening (wait for the lights to change). 2 to serve at table. n time spent waiting (a wait of five hours). | ||
| waiter (noun) | a person employed to serve food at table. f waitress | ||
| waiting list (noun) | a list of people who are waiting for something. | ||
| waiting room (noun) | a room where people may wait (the doctor’s waiting room). | ||
| waitress | female waiter | ||
| waive (verb) | to give up, not to insist on (because the lawyer knew they could not afford it, he waived his usual fee). | ||
| wake | Collective noun for buzzards (A wake of buzzards) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| wake | Collective noun for vultures (A wake of vultures) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| wake1 (verb) | (pt woke , pp woken ) 1 to arouse from sleep (wake the baby with the loud music). 2 to return to full consciousness after sleep (she woke early). n a watch kept over a dead body until the time of burial, sometimes with feasting. | ||
| wake2 (noun) | the track left on water by a moving ship. in the wake of behind, following. | ||
| wakeful (adjective) | not sleeping (a wakeful child). | ||
| waken (verb) | to wake. | ||
| walk (verb) | 1 to advance step by step. 2 to go on foot. n 1 an outing on foot. 2 your manner of walking. 3 a road or path. walk of life your rank or work in life (people in a humble walk of life). | ||
| walking stick (noun) | a stick carried when walking. | ||
| walkover (noun) | 1 an easy victory (they were so bad that our team had a walkover). 2 a victory granted because there has been no opposition (she had a walkover in the match because her opponent did not turn up). | ||
| wall (noun) | 1 a barrier of stone, brick, etc. 2 one of the sides of a building, room, etc. vb to provide with a wall (the garden was walled in). | ||
| wallaby (noun) | a small marsupial of the kangaroo family. | ||
| wallet (noun) | (mostly Br) a man’s flat case for holding money and credit cards. See pocketbook, billfold. | ||
| wallflower (noun) | 1 a sweet-smelling garden flower. 2 a person who is not dancing because he or she has no partner. | ||
| wallop (verb) | to thrash soundly, to strike heavily. Also n. | ||
| wallow (verb) | 1 to roll about in mud, dirt, etc. 2 to enjoy what is dirty or unpleasant (wallow in his rival’s misfortune). | ||
| wallpaper (noun) | colored or decorative paper covering the walls of rooms. | ||
| walnut (noun) | 1 a tree whose wood is much used for making furniture. 2 its edible nut. | ||
| walrus (noun) | a large tusked sea mammal that can live on both land and sea. | ||
| waltz (noun) | 1 a dance for two people. 2 music for such a dance. vb to dance a waltz (dancers waltzing around the room). | ||
| wan (adjective) | pale, sickly-looking (wan after her long illness). adv wanly n wanness | ||
| wand (noun) | 1 a long thin stick. 2 the rod of a magician or conjurer (waved his magic wand). | ||
| wander (verb) | 1 to go purposelessly from place to place. 2 to lose your way (wander off the path). 3 to talk in a disconnected manner. 4 to go off the point. n wanderer | ||
| wane (verb) | 1 to grow less or smaller. 2 to lose strength or power. on the wane growing less. | ||
| wangle (verb) | to arrange cleverly or by trickery (try to wangle a ticket for the ballgame). | ||
| want (noun) | 1 need. 2 longing. 3 shortage. 4 poverty. vb 1 to lack. 2 to need. 3 to desire. | ||
| wanting (adjective) | 1 not as good as required (she found his work wanting). 2 lacking (a car wanting a tire). 3 foolish-minded. | ||
| wanton (adjective) | 1 immoral. 2 malicious. n an immoral person. | ||
| war (noun) | 1 a state of fighting and enmity between nations or within a nation. 2 an active campaign against something (the war against racism). vb (warred , warring ) to make war. | ||
| warble (verb) | to sing, as a bird. | ||
| warbler (noun) | a songbird. | ||
| ward (verb) | (with off) 1 to defend oneself against (warded off the blow with his arm). 2 to defeat (an attack) for the time being. n 1 in a hospital, a large room containing several beds. 2 a division of a town for the purposes of local government. 3 a person under the legal care of another until he or she is old enough to manage his or her own affairs (he is the ward of his uncle). | ||
| warden (noun) | 1 a person who guards or helps to protect. 2 the head of a college or hostel. | ||
| warder (noun) | a guard in a prison. f wardress | ||
| wardrobe (noun) | 1 a cupboard for hanging clothing. 2 all of a person’s clothing (she wanted to get a new spring wardrobe). | ||
| ware (noun) | articles manufactured out of some material (hardware). npl goods for sale (a flower girl selling her wares). | ||
| warehouse (noun) | a building for storing goods. | ||
| warfare (noun) | the carrying-on of fighting in war. | ||
| warlock (noun) | a person who has magical powers (witches and warlocks). | ||
| warm (adjective) | 1 quite hot (warm water). 2 affectionate (a warm greeting). 3 sincere (with warm regards). vb to make or become warm. adv warmly | ||
| warm-hearted (adjective) | kindly, generous. | ||
| warmth (noun) | 1 gentle heat. 2 excitement. 3 sincerity. | ||
| warn (verb) | 1 to advise against possible danger or error (warned against walking home alone). 2 to tell to be careful (warn the children not to cross the road). | ||
| warning (noun) | 1 advice to be careful. 2 advice that danger or trouble lies ahead. | ||
| warp (verb) | 1 to twist or bend out of shape (warp the metal rod). 2 to become twisted or bent. 3 to spoil the nature or character of (the unhappy childhood warped her). n 1 the lengthwise threads in a loom (a weaving-machine). | ||
| warrant (noun) | a written document giving the right to do certain things (a warrant for his arrest). vb 1 to give the right or permission to. 2 to be good reason for, to justify (that does not warrant his rudeness) 3 (formal) to be sure (that) (I warrant that he has run away). | ||
| warren (noun) | many rabbit burrows in one piece of land. | ||
| warrior (noun) | 1 a person who is good at fighting. 2 a soldier. | ||
| wart (noun) | a hard dry growth on the skin. | ||
| wary (adjective) | careful, cautious, not rushing into danger (wary of trusting strangers) | ||
| was (verb) | the past tense of be (he was very happy). | ||
| wash | Collective noun for emotions (A wash of emotions) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| wash (verb) | 1 to clean with water (wash her hair). 2 to flow against or over (waves washing against the rocks). 3 to carry away (on a rush of liquid) (wash the mud away). 4 to color lightly. n 1 the act of cleaning with water. 2 a washing, the flow or dash of water. 3 a healing liquid. 4 a thin coat of color. wash your hands of to refuse to have anything more to do with. adj washable | ||
| washbowl (noun) | a large bowl for washing your hands and face. | ||
| washer (noun) | a ring of metal, rubber, etc, to keep a bolt, etc, firmly in position (top washer). | ||
| washing (noun) | 1 dirty clothing or linen to be washed. 2 clothing newly washed. | ||
| washing machine (noun) | a machine for washing clothing and linen. | ||
| washstand (noun) | a table for a basin of water. | ||
| wasp (noun) | a stinging winged insect, with black and yellow stripes on its body. | ||
| waspish (adjective) | sharp-tempered, spiteful (a waspish remark). | ||
| wastage (noun) | that which is lost by waste (the wallpaper wastage when decorating). | ||
| waste (verb) | 1 to fail to put to a useful purpose (waste talent). 2 to spend or use foolishly (waste money). 3 to destroy, to damage. 4 to make or become weaker (muscles wasting without exercise). adj 1 left over (waste product). 2 uncultivated, undeveloped (waste land). n 1 what is left over as useless (industrial waste). 2 useless spending. | ||
| waste paper (noun) | paper thrown away as useless. | ||
| waste pipe (noun) | a pipe carrying away dirty water. | ||
| wasteful (adjective) | spending foolishly or uselessly. | ||
| waster , wastrel (noun) | (informal) a lazy useless person. | ||
| watch | Collective noun for nightingales (A watch of nightingales) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| watch | Collective noun for Swiss (A watch of Swiss) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| watch (verb) | 1 to look at or observe with care (watch how he changes the tire). 2 to look at (watch television). 3 to guard (watch the princess). 4 to look after (watch the children). n 1 a guard. 2 a careful look-out. 3 a four-hour spell of duty for half the crew on board a ship. 4 a clock carried in the pocket or on the wrist. | ||
| watchdog (noun) | 1 a dog used to guard a house or other building. 2 a person or group who watch out for wrongdoing, especially by a business firm. | ||
| watchful (adjective) | keeping a look-out, observant, alert (under her watchful eyes). | ||
| watchmaker (noun) | a person who makes or repairs watches. | ||
| watchman (noun) | a man employed to look after a building or site when it is unoccupied (a night watchman). | ||
| watchword (noun) | 1 a word known only to members of a group so that by using it they may be recognized as members (only let them in if they know the watchword). 2 a motto. | ||
| water (noun) | 1 the clear liquid that falls as rain and flows in streams and rivers. 2 a large area of water, as a lake, sea, etc. vb 1 to supply with water. 2 to pour or sprinkle water on (water the garden). | ||
| water polo (noun) | a ball game for swimmers. | ||
| water power (noun) | mechanical power got from running water. | ||
| watercolor (noun), | also watercolour (British spelling) 1 coloring matter to be mixed with water, not oil. 2 a painting in watercolors (a watercolor of the old mill). | ||
| watercress (noun) | an edible water plant. | ||
| waterfall (noun) | a stream falling over steep rocks or stones to a lower level. | ||
| water-lily (noun) | a plant with floating flowers and leaves, found in ponds, etc. | ||
| waterlogged (adjective) | soaked or filled with water (a waterlogged field). | ||
| watermark (noun) | the faint trademark on a piece of paper. | ||
| watermelon (noun) | a large juicy type of melon with red flesh. | ||
| waterproof (adjective) | able to keep out water, that water cannot pass through (waterproof tents/a waterproof coat). n waterproof cloth. | ||
| watershed (noun) | 1 a ridge or hill separating two river valleys. 2 a point at which events take a different turn (a watershed in the war). | ||
| water-ski (noun) | a board on which a person can stand and be towed over water by a speedboat. Also vb. n water-skier n water-skiing | ||
| waterspout (noun) | a column of water sucked up by a whirlwind. | ||
| watertight (adjective) | so tight that water can pass neither in nor out (a watertight container). | ||
| waterworks (noun) | an apparatus for supplying water through pipes to a town, etc. | ||
| watery (adjective) | 1 full of water (watery eyes). 2 tasteless, weak, thin (watery soup). | ||
| watt (noun) | a unit of measurement of electric power. n wattage | ||
| wattle (noun) | 1 a twig. 2 a fence made of twigs woven together. 3 an Australian tree that is the country’s emblem. | ||
| wave | Collective noun for surfers (A wave of surfers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| wave (noun) | 1 a moving ridge of water rising above the surface of the sea and then sinking down again. 2 any movement resembling this (light waves/sound waves). 3 one of several ridges in the hair. 4 a moving of the hand as a signal (a friendly wave). vb 1 to move or make to move up and down or to and fro. 2 to shake in the air as a sign. 3 to put waves in hair. 4 to signal with your hand (the police officer waved me on). | ||
| waveband (noun) | a band of radio waves between specific limits. | ||
| wavelength (noun) | the distance in water, air, etc, between the crest of one wave and that of the next. | ||
| waver (verb) | 1 to be uncertain, to hesitate (wavering about whether to be good or not). 2 to move unsteadily. 3 to flicker (a candle flame wavering). | ||
| wavy (adjective) | 1 rising and falling in waves (wavy hair). 2 covered with waves. | ||
| wax museum , waxworks (noun) | a museum where waxworks are exhibited. | ||
| wax1 (noun) | 1 a sticky yellow substance made by bees. 2 any material resembling this. 3 a substance used to seal letters, packets, etc. | ||
| wax2 (verb) | (old) 1 to grow larger (the moon waxing). 2 to become (wax eloquent). | ||
| waxen (adjective) | like wax (a waxen skin). | ||
| waxwork (noun) | the image of a famous person made in wax for showing to the public. n waxworks. | ||
| way (noun) | 1 a track, path, or road (the way of passage). 2 a method of doing something (a new way of teaching). 3 distance traveled (it is a long way to the next village). 4 the route to a place (the way to the station). 5 a custom or habit (have an unpleasant way). have a way with to have such a manner or skill as to handle successfully (he has a way with women). under way in movement (the expansion of the firm is under way). ways and means methods. | ||
| wayfarer (noun) | a traveler, especially on foot. | ||
| waylay (verb) | to hide and wait for in order to surprise or attack (they waylaid the enemy). | ||
| wayside (noun) | fall by the wayside not to continue. | ||
| wayward (adjective) | fond of having your own way, not heeding the advice or orders of others (wayward children). | ||
| we (pronoun) (subjective) | refers to the speaker or writer and another person or other people (we went to church). | ||
| we’ve | contraction we have. | ||
| weak (adjective) | 1 not strong, feeble. 2 giving in too easily to others. 3 not good at (weak at foreign languages). adv weakly | ||
| weaken (verb) | to make or become weak (she was determined not to go but finally weakened). | ||
| weakling (noun) | a person who is weak in body or character. | ||
| weakly (adjective) | not strong, not having good health (weakly children). | ||
| weakness (noun) | 1 lack of strength or determination. 2 a bad point in your character (telling white lies is her major weakness). 3 a foolish liking for (a weakness for ice cream). | ||
| weal (noun) | a raised mark on the skin caused by a blow from a whip, thin stick, etc. | ||
| wealth | Collective noun for documents (A wealth of documents) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| wealth | Collective noun for information (A wealth of information) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| wealth | Collective noun for millionaires (A wealth of millionaires) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| wealth (noun) | 1 riches (the miser’s great riches). 2 plenty (a wealth of talent). | ||
| wealthy (adjective) | very rich (wealthy enough not to have to work). | ||
| wean (verb) | 1 to change from feeding (an infant) only on milk to more solid food. 2 to get someone to change his or her habits or desires (wean him from his criminal ways). | ||
| weapon (noun) | any instrument that can be used in fighting or attack (weapons such as guns and knives). | ||
| wear (verb) | (pt wore , pp worn ) 1 to have on the body as clothing. 2 to put or stick on your clothing for show (wear a badge). 3 to damage or waste by rubbing or use (the waves wear away at the rocks). n 1 clothing (evening wear). 2 damage caused by rubbing or use. n wearer wear away to become gradually less, to rub or be rubbed away. wear off to become gradually less (the effects of the painkillers wore off). wear on to pass slowly (time is wearing on). wear out 1 to exhaust (worn out by his continual complaining). 2 to make useless by using too often. | ||
| wearisome (adjective) | tiring, boring (a wearisome journey). | ||
| weary (adjective) | 1 tired by continued effort, exhausted (weary from the long journey). 2 fed up, bored (weary of listening to complaints). adv wearily | ||
| weasel (noun) | a small, reddish-brown wild animal that eats frogs, mice, birds, etc. | ||
| weather (noun) | the general conditions of the atmosphere (e.g. sunshine, rain, wind, etc) at any particular time. vb 1 to come safely through (succeeded in weathering the selection process). 2 to be damaged or discolored by the effects of weather (stone weathered with age). make heavy weather of to find difficulty in doing (he made heavy weather of the work). under the weather feeling unwell. | ||
| weather vane (noun) | a pointer that turns around to show the direction from which the wind is blowing. | ||
| weather-beaten (adjective) | marred or colored by the effects of the weather. | ||
| weave (verb) | (pt wove , pp woven ) 1 to form cloth by intertwining threads. 2 to put together sticks, twigs, etc, by interlacing them. 3 to make up (he wove a story about his childhood). n weaver | ||
| web (noun) | 1 cloth made by weaving. 2 the net of fine threads made by a spider. 3 the skin between the toes of water-birds. 3 (sometimes cap) short for the World Wide Web, the Internet. adj webbed | ||
| webbing (noun) | a narrow band of strong material used for belts, etc. | ||
| web-footed (adjective) | having skin between the toes. | ||
| webpage (noun) | a document on the World Wide Web normally accessed by a browser. Also Web page. | ||
| website (noun) | an Internet location that consists of a number of related documents or files (a website about allergies). | ||
| wed (verb) | (wed or wedded , wedding ) to marry (he wed his childhood sweetheart). | ||
| wedding (noun) | a marriage. | ||
| wedge (noun) | a piece of wood, metal, etc, thick at one end and narrowing to a sharp edge at the other. vb to split open, fix, or fasten with a wedge (wedge the door open). | ||
| wedlock (noun) | the married state. | ||
| Wednesday (noun) | the fourth or middle day of the week. | ||
| weed (noun) | a wild plant growing in a garden or field. vb 1 to clear of weeds (weed the garden). 2 to pull up weeds (pay him to weed). | ||
| weeds (noun, plural) | the black clothing worn by a widow in mourning. | ||
| weedy (adjective) | thin and weak-looking (a weedy youth). | ||
| week (noun) | a period of seven days. | ||
| weekday (noun) | any day of the week except Sunday and often Saturday. | ||
| weekend (noun) | the period from the time your work ceases on Friday or Saturday until you begin it again on Monday. | ||
| weekly (adjective) | happening once a week (a weekly meeting). n a newspaper or magazine published once a week. | ||
| weep (verb) | (pt, pp wept ) 1 to shed tears, to cry. 2 to mourn (weep for a lost cause). adj weepy | ||
| weeping (adjective) | 1 crying. 2 (of a tree) having drooping branches (a weeping willow). | ||
| weevil (noun) | a type of beetle that destroys stored grain. | ||
| weft (noun) | the cross-threads of a piece of cloth. | ||
| weigh (verb) | 1 to measure the heaviness of (weigh the baggage). 2 to raise (anchor). 3 to be of a certain heaviness (she weighs 140 pounds). weigh down to trouble. weigh up to consider carefully. weigh with to seem important to. | ||
| weight (noun) | 1 heaviness (measure the weight of the load). 2 a piece of metal, etc, of known heaviness, used in finding how heavy another object is or in fitness training. 3 importance, influence (her opinion does not carry much weight). 4 a heavy load. adj weightless n weightlessness | ||
| weight training (noun) | a kind of fitness training involving the use of light weights. | ||
| weightlifting (noun) | the sport of lifting heavy weights. | ||
| weighty (adjective) | 1 heavy (a weighty load). 2 important, deserving careful consideration (weighty matters). | ||
| weir (noun) | a barrier built across a stream to make the water approaching it deeper. | ||
| weird (adjective) | 1 odd, very strange (she looks weird in that outfit). 2 strange, eerie, unearthly (a weird scream). adv weirdly n weirdness | ||
| welcome (adjective) | 1 pleasing. 2 allowed to use or take at any time. n a kindly greeting or reception. vb 1 to greet kindly (welcome the guests). 2 to receive or hear with pleasure (welcome the news). make welcome to make (a guest) feel at home. | ||
| weld (verb) | to join two pieces of metal by heating them and hammering them together. n welder | ||
| welfare (noun) | 1 happiness, success. 2 health, good living conditions (the department concerned with the welfare of the community). 3 payments provided by the government for those in need. | ||
| well1 (adverb) | 1 in a good way or style (she does her job well). 2 thoroughly (examine the house well before buying). 3 rightly (you may well apologize). 4 with approval (speak well of him). adj 1 in good health. 2 all right. as well as in addition to. | ||
| well2 (noun) | 1 a spring of water. 2 a hole in the ground from which water can be drawn. 3 a pit made in the ground to reach oil. 4 a fountain. vb 1 to come up as from a spring. 2 to gush out (tears welling from her eyes). | ||
| well-being (noun) | success, happiness (only interested in his wife’s well-being). | ||
| well-informed (adjective) | having much knowledge. | ||
| well-known (adjective) | famous (well-known actors). | ||
| well-nigh (adverb) | (old or fml) almost (it was well-nigh impossible to take him seriously). | ||
| well-off (adjective) | rich. | ||
| well-read (adjective) | having read much. | ||
| well-spoken (adjective) | always pronouncing clearly with a pleasing accent. | ||
| well-wisher (noun) | a friendly supporter (well-wishers giving donations to charity). | ||
| well-worn (adjective) | much worn, much used (well-worn phrases). | ||
| welter (noun) | a confused mass, disorder (a welter of useless information). | ||
| welterweight (noun) | a boxer between middleweight and heavyweight. | ||
| wench (noun) | (old) a young woman. | ||
| wend (verb) | (old) to go, to make (your way). | ||
| were (verb) | the form of the verb be in the past tense used with “we” “they” or with plural nouns. | ||
| west (noun) | one of the four principal points of the compass, the direction in which the sun sets. | ||
| westerly (adjective) | from or toward the west (a westerly wind). | ||
| western (adjective) | in or from the west. n a movie, usually about cowboys and Native Americans, set in the west of North America during the nineteenth or early twentieth century. | ||
| westward (adverb) | toward the west. | ||
| wet (adjective) | 1 covered or soaked with water or other liquid (get wet standing in the rain at the bus-stop). 2 not dry, moist. 3 rainy (a wet day). n rainy weather. vb (wet or wetted , wetting ) to make wet. n wetness | ||
| whack (verb) | (informal) to strike sharply, to beat severely (he whacked the carpet with the beater). n 1 a blow (a whack on the head). 2 a share (I want my fair whack). 3 an attempt (have a whack at this quiz) | ||
| whale (noun) | a large sea mammal. vb to hunt whales. n whaling | ||
| whalebone (noun) | an elastic horny substance got from the jaw of a whale. | ||
| whaler (noun) | a ship engaged in whale hunting. | ||
| wharf (noun) | (pl wharfs or wharves ) a platform or quay at which ships are loaded and unloaded. | ||
| what (adjective) | and pron used to ask for information about someone or something (what dress should I wear?/what is your favorite movie?) | ||
| whatever (pronoun) | no matter what, any thing concerned. | ||
| whatnot (noun) | an object not easily described or defined (buy a few whatnots for her vacation). | ||
| wheat (noun) | the grain from which bread flour is obtained. | ||
| wheat bread (noun) | bread made with white and wholewheat flour. | ||
| wheaten (adjective) | made from wheat (wheaten bread). | ||
| wheedle (verb) | to try to please a person in order to get him or her to do something; to coax (he tried to wheedle more money out of his father). | ||
| wheel | Collective noun for potters (A wheel of potters) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| wheel (noun) | a round frame, often strengthened by spokes, turning on an axis. vb 1 to move on wheels. 2 to turn like a wheel. 3 to change direction by a wheeling movement when marching in line. | ||
| wheelbarrow (noun) | a handcart, usually with one wheel, two legs, and handles. | ||
| wheelchair (noun) | a chair with wheels for people who are unable to walk. | ||
| wheelwright (noun) | a maker of wheels and carts. | ||
| wheeze | Collective noun for joggers (A wheeze of joggers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| wheeze (verb) | to breathe with a hoarse or hissing sound (she is asthmatic and wheezes badly). Also n. adj wheezy | ||
| when (adverb) | and (conjunction) at what or which time. | ||
| whence (adverb) | and (conjunction) from what place. | ||
| whenever , whensoever (adverb) | and (conjunction) at no matter what time. | ||
| where (adverb) | and (conjunction) at, to, or in what place. | ||
| whereabouts (noun) | the place you are in (the police want to know the accused’s whereabouts). | ||
| whereas | (conjunction) since, although. | ||
| whereby (adverb) | and (conjunction) by which. | ||
| wherefore (adverb) | and (conjunction) for which or what reason. | ||
| whereupon (adverb) | after which. | ||
| wherever (adverb) | and (conjunction) at, to, or in whatever place. | ||
| whet (verb) | 1 to sharpen. 2 to make (a desire) more strongly felt (whet their appetites). | ||
| whether (conjunction) | if. pron which of two. | ||
| whey (noun) | the watery part of the milk, separated from the curd. | ||
| which (adjective) | and pron what particular (person or thing) (which picture do you prefer?). | ||
| whiff (noun) | 1 a puff of air or smoke. 2 a quick or slight smell (think she smelt a whiff of gas). vb 1 to puff. 2 to smell. | ||
| while (conjunction) also whilst (British spelling) | during the time that (while we were inside, it was pouring with rain). n a space of time. vb to pass (time) in pleasure or leisure (while away the afternoon reading). | ||
| whim (noun) | a sudden strange desire or idea, a passing fancy. | ||
| whimper (verb) | to cry brokenly, to whine (the child was whimpering in his cot). Also n. | ||
| whimsical (adjective) | full of whims, odd, unusual, fantastic. | ||
| whimsy (noun) | whim (she went to the shore for the day on a sudden whimsy). n whimsicality adv whimsically | ||
| whine (noun) | a long cry of complaint, a wail. vb 1 to utter a sad or complaining cry (dogs whining). 2 to speak in a complaining voice (whine about her misfortune). | ||
| whinny (noun) | the high-pitched cry of a horse. Also vb. | ||
| whip (noun) | a cord attached to a stick for beating or driving animals. vb (whipped , whipping ) 1 to strike with a whip (whip the wrongdoers). 2 to beat eggs, cream, etc, into a froth (whip the mixture). 3 to take or move (something) quickly (she whipped her apron off). | ||
| whiplash | Collective noun for potholes (A whiplash of potholes) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| whippet (noun) | a small slender dog like a greyhound. | ||
| whippoorwill (noun) | a nightjar with spotted brown feathers and a loud call. | ||
| whir , whirr (verb) | (whirred , whirring ) to move through the air or spin with a buzzing or clicking sound (the propellers whirred). Also n. | ||
| whirl (verb) | to move quickly around and around, to spin quickly (the dancers whirl around the dance floor). n a quick round-and-round movement; confusion (her news left me in a whirl). | ||
| whirlpool (noun) | a current of water turning around and around with a circular motion. | ||
| whirlwind (noun) | a violent wind blowing around and around in a circle. | ||
| whisk (verb) | 1 to knock or brush with a quick light movement. 2 to beat lightly into a froth (whisk the eggs). 3 to take off with a quick movement (whisked her apron off). n 1 a quick or jerky movement. 2 an implement for beating eggs, etc (an electric whisk). 3 a small broom. 4 a bunch of hair, twigs, etc, for brushing away flies, dust, etc. | ||
| whisker (noun) | 1 the stiff hairs growing on the cheeks of men. 2 the stiff hairs growing above the mouth of certain animals (the cat’s whiskers). | ||
| whiskey (noun) | a strong alcoholic drink made in Ireland or North America from barley, rye, etc. | ||
| whisky (noun) | (British) a strong alcoholic drink made in Scotland from barley. | ||
| whisper | Collective noun for snipe (A whisper of snipe) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| whisper (verb) | 1 to speak very softly, using the breath instead of the voice. 2 to rustle (silk skirts whispering as she walked). n 1 a very soft voice. 2 what is whispered (he heard her whispers). 3 a rumor (there is a whisper that he embezzled money). | ||
| whist (noun) | a game of cards for four persons. | ||
| whistle (verb) | 1 to make a high, shrill sound with the lips or a special instrument. 2 to play a tune by whistling. n 1 a shrill sound made with the lips or a special instrument. 2 an instrument that makes a whistling sound when blown (the referee blew his whistle). | ||
| whit (noun) | a tiny piece (not a whit of truth in his statement). | ||
| white (adjective) | 1 of the color of clean snow or milk. 2 pale (her illness has made her look rather white). 3 having a pale skin. Also n. | ||
| White House (noun) | the official residence, and office of power, of the President of the United States of America. | ||
| white lie (noun) | a small lie told for what is believed to be a good reason. | ||
| whiten (verb) | to make or become white (buy something to whiten the sheets). | ||
| whitewash (noun) | a mixture of lime or chalk and water used for painting walls, etc, white. vb 1 to paint with whitewash (whitewash the walls of the house). 2 to try to make what is wrong appear blameless, to try to make a guilty person seem innocent (they tried to whitewash the crime). | ||
| whither (adverb) | and (conjunction) to which or what place. | ||
| whiting (noun) | a small edible sea fish. | ||
| whittle (verb) | 1 to pare off short strips with a knife. 2 to make smaller or thinner (whittle the budget). 3 to cut down or reduce a little at a time (the bills are whittling away at our budget). | ||
| whiz , whizz (verb) | (whizzed , whizzing ) to make a hissing or swishing sound when moving through the air (children whizzing down our road on roller skates). Also n. | ||
| whizzkid (noun) | (informal) a young person who is exceptionally successful at something, often in business (the financial world is full of whizzkids). | ||
| who (pronoun) | which person (the man who died). | ||
| whoever (pronoun) | no matter who, any person concerned. | ||
| whole (adjective) | 1 complete, entire (tired of the whole affair). 2 unharmed (escape whole from the accident). n the total, all. | ||
| wholefood (noun) | food which has not been refined or processed very much and which does not contain artificial substances. | ||
| wholehearted (adjective) | enthusiastic, keen (give the cause his wholehearted support). adv wholeheartedly | ||
| wholemeal | see wholewheat. | ||
| wholesale (noun) | the selling of goods in large quantities to those who will re-sell them to others. adj on a large scale (wholesale slaughter). n wholesaler | ||
| wholesome (adjective) | 1 having a good effect on health (wholesome food). 2 healthy, morally healthy (a wholesome young girl). | ||
| wholewheat (adjective) also wholemeal (British spelling) | of flour or bread, made from the complete grain of wheat, including the husk. | ||
| wholly (adverb) | completely (not wholly committed). | ||
| whom (pronoun) | the form of “who” used when the object of a sentence or following a preposition (to whom are you referring?). | ||
| whoop | Collective noun for chimpanzees (A whoop of chimpanzees) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| whoop (noun) | a loud shout. vb to make a whoop (whooping with joy). | ||
| whooping cough (noun) | a disease, chiefly of children, with long fits of coughing, during which the breath is taken in again with a gasping sound. | ||
| whorl (noun) | 1 a ring of leaves around a stem. 2 one turn of a spiral shell. | ||
| whose (pronoun) | belonging to whom (whose is this sweater?). | ||
| why (adverb) | and (conjunction) for what reason. | ||
| wick (noun) | the thread in a candle; in an oil-lamp or oil heater, the band of cloth that draws up the oil and is burned to give light. | ||
| wicked (adjective) | bad, sinful, evil (wicked people). adv wickedly n wickedness | ||
| wicker (noun) | a willow twig. adj made of willow twigs woven together. | ||
| wickerwork (noun) | basket-work. | ||
| wicket (noun) | a small gate, a small door in or near a larger one. | ||
| wide (adjective) | broad, extending far in all directions. adv 1 missing the target by passing beside it (shoot wide). 2 fully (wide awake). adv widely | ||
| widen (verb) | to make or become wide (widen the garden). | ||
| widespread (adjective) | occurring or found far and wide (a widespread belief). | ||
| widow (noun) | a woman whose husband is dead. | ||
| widower (noun) | a man whose wife is dead. | ||
| width (noun) | breadth (measure the width of the room). | ||
| wield (verb) | 1 to use with the hands (wield a knife in self-defense). 2 to use or put into practice (wield power). | ||
| wiener (noun) | a frankfurter sausage. | ||
| wife (noun) | (pl wives ) a married woman. | ||
| wifely (adjective) | like a wife (wifely affection). | ||
| wig (noun) | an artificial covering of hair for the head (he wore a wig to cover his baldness). | ||
| wiggle (verb) | to wag, to shake from side to side (wiggling her hips as she walked). | ||
| wigwam (noun) | the hut or tent of a Native American. | ||
| wild (adjective) | 1 not tamed or civilized. 2 not cultivated (a wild stretch of countryside). 3 savage. 4 uncontrolled (wild passions). 5 very excited (crowds growing wild at the arrival of the pop star). n a desert area, an area unaltered by man. adv wildly. | ||
| wildcat (noun) | 1 a fierce wild animal of the cat family. 2 a fierce person. adj foolish, reckless, risky (a wildcat strike). | ||
| wildebeest (noun) | a gnu. | ||
| wilderness (noun) | a desert, an uncultivated or uninhabited area (the place is a wilderness since it was bombed). | ||
| wildfire (noun) | spread like wildfire to spread very quickly. | ||
| wild-goose chase (noun) | an undertaking that cannot possibly succeed. | ||
| wildlife (noun) | animals, birds, and insects, and sometimes plants, which live in their natural environment (damaging the forest wildlife). | ||
| wile (noun) | a trick (use her wiles to get her own way). | ||
| will (noun) | 1 your power to make decisions or choices, self-control (believe in freedom of the will). 2 desire (done against her will). 3 a written document made by a person to say what is to be done with his or her property after death. vb 1 to desire (we are willing her to win). 2 to leave property to others by a signed will. | ||
| willful (adjective) also wilful (British spelling) | always wanting your own way; done deliberately. adv willfully , also wilfully (British spelling) | ||
| willing (adjective) | ready, eager (willing helpers). adv willingly | ||
| willow (noun) | a tree with slender, easily bent branches. | ||
| willowy (adjective) | 1 easily bent. 2 slender, graceful (a willowy figure). | ||
| willpower (noun) | determination to control what you do. | ||
| wilt (verb) | 1 to droop (plants wilting). 2 to lose freshness or vigor (people wilting in the heat). | ||
| wily (adjective) | cunning (a wily plan). | ||
| wimple (noun) | (old) a headdress, fitting closely around the face, worn by nuns. | ||
| win (verb) | (won , winning ) 1 to be successful in a match or contest, to be victorious (he is bound to win against the younger player). 2 to obtain in a competition (win a prize). n 1 a success. 2 a victory. n winner | ||
| wince (verb) | 1 to make a quick movement back because of pain or fear. 2 to twist the face from pain (she winced as the dentist touched her sore tooth). | ||
| winch (noun) | 1 a handle for turning a wheel. 2 a device for moving a heavy object by winding a rope attached to it around a drum or wheel, so drawing the object up or along. | ||
| wind instrument (noun) | a musical instrument, such as the flute, played by blowing into it. | ||
| wind1 (noun) | 1 air moving. 2 a current of air, a breeze or gale. 3 breath. vb (pt, pp winded ) to put out of breath by a blow in the stomach (the boxer was winded and fell). | ||
| wind2 (verb) | (pt, pp wound ) 1 to twist. 2 to coil. 3 to gather up by turning. 4 to follow a twisting course (the path winding up the mountain). wind up 1 to turn a handle to tighten a spring in a machine. 2 to bring to an end (wind up the firm). 3 (informal) to irritate. | ||
| windbag (noun) | (informal) a person who talks too much (bored listening to the old windbag). | ||
| windfall (noun) | 1 fruit blown down (gather windfalls in the orchard). 2 a piece of unexpected luck, an unexpected gift of money. | ||
| windmill (noun) | a mill with sails driven by wind. | ||
| window (noun) | an opening in the wall of a house, etc, to let in light (usually filled with a sheet of glass) (bay windows). | ||
| windpipe (noun) | the air passage from the mouth to the lungs. | ||
| windshield (noun) | the glass panel at the front of a motor car that acts as a shield (a windshield shattered by a pebble). | ||
| windsurfing (noun) | a sport involving moving along the surface of the sea or a stretch of water while standing on a board with a sail attached to it. n windsurfer | ||
| windward (noun) | the direction from which the wind is blowing. Also adj. | ||
| windy (adjective) | open to the winds, breezy, gusty (a windy day/a windy stretch of countryside). | ||
| wine (noun) | an alcoholic drink made from the fermented juice of grapes. | ||
| wing (noun) | 1 the limb with the help of which birds, insects, etc, fly. 2 a side part or extension of a building, stage, etc (one wing of the building was burnt down). 3 the supporting parts of an airplane. 4 the side part of an army when drawn up for battle. vb 1 to fly (swallows winging their way south). 2 to wound in the wing or arm. adj winged adj wingless on the wing in flight. | ||
| wink (verb) | 1 to shut and open one eyelid with a quick movement. 2 to flicker, to twinkle (lights winking). 3 (formal) (usually with at) to pretend not to see (wink at her son’s misdeeds). n 1 the act of winking. 2 a hint given by winking. forty winks a nap, a short sleep. | ||
| winning (adjective) | 1 successful (a winning formation). 2 charming (winning manners). npl winnings money that you have won. | ||
| winnow (verb) | to separate the grain from the chaff by a draft of air. | ||
| winsome (adjective) | (formal) attractive, pleasant. | ||
| winter (noun) | the coldest season of the year. vb to spend the winter (wintering in Florida). | ||
| wintry (adjective) | like winter; cold, stormy, or snowy (wintry weather). | ||
| wipe (verb) | to clean or dry by gentle rubbing (wipe the table). n a rub intended to clean or dry. wipe out to destroy, to cause to cease to exist (an entire city wiped out by the war). | ||
| wiper (noun) | a device for wiping rain from a car windshield (a windshield wiper). | ||
| wire (noun) | a thread or cord of metal. vbto provide with wire or wires. n wiring. | ||
| wiry (adjective) | thin but muscular (the boxer did not look strong but he had a wiry build). | ||
| wisdom | Collective noun for grandparents (A wisdom of grandparents) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| wisdom (noun) | 1 the ability to make good use of your knowledge and experience. 2 good sense. | ||
| wisdom tooth (noun) | a back tooth that grows when you are a young adult. | ||
| wise (adjective) | 1 having or showing wisdom (a wise man). 2 sensible (a wise decision). | ||
| wish (verb) | to have a desire, to want (to do), to long. n 1 a desire. 2 the thing wanted. | ||
| wishful thinking (noun) | something believed in spite of the facts because you want it to be true (she said she was going to the Caribbean but it was only wishful thinking). | ||
| wishy-washy (adjective) | weak and pale, feeble (too wishy-washy to defend herself). | ||
| wisp (noun) | a small bundle of straw, hay, etc (wisps of hair). adj wispy | ||
| wistful (adjective) | thoughtful, longing (she looked wistful as the other children left on vacation). adv wistfully | ||
| wit (noun) | 1 the ability to say things shortly, neatly, and cleverly, often in a way that makes them amusing. 2 a person who has this ability. 3 intelligence, understanding. at one’s wit’s end so worried that you do not know what to do next. to wit namely, that is to say. | ||
| witch (noun) | 1 a woman believed to have magical powers granted by the devil. 2 an ugly old woman. | ||
| witchcraft (noun) | magic performed with the aid of the devil. | ||
| witch-doctor (noun) | among certain African tribes, a man believed to be able to control evil spirits and cure illness by magic, herbal remedies, etc. | ||
| with (preposition) | 1 in the company of (come with me). 2 having (the girl with red hair). | ||
| withdraw (verb) | 1 to draw or pull back, to retreat. 2 to take back (something said) as not meant (withdraw his apology). 3 to take money, etc, from your bank (withdrew money from his bank account). n withdrawal | ||
| withdrawn (adjective) | shy or unfriendly. | ||
| wither (verb) | to make or become dry and faded, to shrivel, to rot away (flowers withering without water). | ||
| withering (adjective) | 1 drying, fading. 2 hurtful, sarcastic (a withering reply). | ||
| withers (noun, plural) | the ridge between the shoulder blades of a horse. | ||
| withhold (verb) | to refuse to grant or give, to keep back (withhold information). | ||
| within (preposition) | inside. adv 1 indoors. 2 inwardly. | ||
| without (preposition) | not having. | ||
| withstand (verb) | to resist, to oppose. | ||
| witless (adjective) | (formal) foolish, stupid. | ||
| witness (noun) | 1 a person who sees an event taking place. 2 a person who tells in a court of law what took place on an occasion at which he or she was present. 3 (formal) evidence pointing to the truth. vb 1 to see happening (witnessed the accident). 2 to sign a document to confirm that another has signed it in your presence (witness the signature on the agreement). bear witness to give evidence. | ||
| witticism (noun) | a clever or humorous saying, shortly and neatly expressed. | ||
| wittingly (adverb) | with knowledge or understanding of what you are doing (he did not wittingly hurt her). | ||
| witty (adjective) | able to say clever things briefly and often amusingly (a witty after-dinner speech). adv wittily | ||
| wives | plural of wife. | ||
| wizard (noun) | 1 a man who claims magical powers. 2 a conjurer. | ||
| wizardry (noun) | 1 magic. 2 great skill. | ||
| wizened (adjective) | dried up and wrinkled (a wizened old lady). | ||
| wobble (verb) | to sway from side to side, move unsteadily (cyclists wobbling along the street). Also n. | ||
| wobbly (adjective) | unsteady (a wobbly table). | ||
| woe (noun) | (formal) grief, sorrow, misery (tell a tale of woe). | ||
| woebegone (adjective) | (formal) full of sorrow or grief (she felt woebegone when they left). | ||
| woeful (adjective) | 1 sad. 2 deplorably bad (a woeful lack of understanding). adv woefully | ||
| wok (noun) | a large bowl-shaped cooking pan used for stir-frying. | ||
| woke (past tense) | of wake. | ||
| wolf (noun) | (pl wolves ) a fierce wild animal of the dog family. vb to eat greedily. | ||
| woman (noun) | (pl women ) a grown-up female human being. | ||
| womanhood (noun) | the state or qualities of a woman (the age at which girls reach womanhood). | ||
| womanish (adjective) | 1 having the qualities of a woman. 2 unmanly. | ||
| womankind , womenfolk (noun) | women in general. | ||
| womanly (adjective) | having the good qualities of a woman, gentle. | ||
| womb (noun) | the female organ in which the young are kept and fed until birth. | ||
| wombat (noun) | a pouched Australian animal, like a small bear. | ||
| women | plural of woman. | ||
| women’s movement (noun) | a movement whose aim is to improve the position of women in society and obtain equality with men. | ||
| won (past tense) | of win. | ||
| won’t | contraction will not. | ||
| wonder (noun) | 1 great surprise or astonishment (look at the sight with wonder). 2 anything giving rise to such feelings, a marvel or miracle (the wonders of the world). vb 1 to think about the reasons for something (wonder why he behaved like that). 2 to feel surprise or astonishment. | ||
| wonderful (adjective) | very surprising, extraordinary (a wonderful gift wun-der-fu-lee/. | ||
| wonderment (noun) | surprise, astonishment. | ||
| wondrous (adjective) | (old) wonderful. | ||
| wont (noun) | custom, habit. adj accustomed. | ||
| woo (verb) | to make love to, to seek to marry. n wooer | ||
| wood (noun) | 1 a large collection of growing trees (the pine wood below the hill). 2 the hard substance of which the trunks and branches of trees are made. | ||
| woodchuck (noun) | a North American animal with brown fur that lives underground and hibernates in winter. Also called groundhog. | ||
| woodcut (noun) | a print made from a picture carved on wood. | ||
| wooded (adjective) | covered with trees or woods (wooded areas). | ||
| wooden (adjective) | 1 made of wood. 2 dull, lacking feeling (wooden acting). | ||
| woodland (noun) | country covered with trees or woods. | ||
| woodpecker (noun) | a bird that taps holes in trees with its long pointed beak and takes out insects from them with its tongue. | ||
| woodwind instrument (noun) | a wind instrument usually made of wood, such as the clarinet. | ||
| woodwork (noun) | 1 the art of making objects out of wood (take classes in woodwork). 2 objects so made. | ||
| woodworm (noun) | a grub that eats its way into wood and destroys it. | ||
| woody (adjective) | 1 made of wood. 2 covered with woods (a woody area). | ||
| woof (noun) | the sound that a dog makes when it barks. | ||
| wool (noun) | 1 the soft, wavy hair covering the body of certain animals (e.g. sheep, goats, etc). 2 thread or cloth made from wool (knit a sweater with wool). | ||
| woolen (adjective) | made of wool (woolen sweaters). Also n. | ||
| wooly (adjective) | 1 covered with wool. 2 like wool. | ||
| word (noun) | 1 a sound or group of sounds expressing an idea. 2 a message, information (send him word about his wife’s health). 3 a promise (he gave his word that he would be there). vb to express in words. have words with to quarrel with. word for word in exactly the same words as those used before. | ||
| word processor (noun) | a computer system used for writing, editing and printing documents. | ||
| wording (noun) | the way that something is expressed in words. | ||
| word-perfect (adjective) | able to say without an error the words of something learnt (actors who were not word-perfect). | ||
| wordy (adjective) | using more words than are necessary (a wordy letter). | ||
| wore (past tense) | of wear. | ||
| work (noun) | 1 effort (put a lot of work into the project). 2 a task, tasks (bring work home from the office). 3 that which you do for a living (she is at work seven hours a day). 4 a book, picture, piece of music, etc. vb 1 to labor, to toil (they really worked at getting the house ready). 2 to be in a job. 3 to make to do work (to work the servants hard). 4 to have the desired effect or result (the painkillers did not work). 5 to cause, to bring about. 6 to give shape to (work the clay into a pot). npl works 1 a factory. 2 the parts of a machine that make it go. work up to excite. | ||
| workable (adjective) | that can be done or used (a workable plan). | ||
| worker (noun) | 1 a person who works (the factory workers). 2 an insect (e.g. a bee) that does all the work. | ||
| workforce (noun) | the number of people who work in a particular firm, place, industry, etc. | ||
| workmanship | 1 skill of a worker. 2 the quality of a piece of work. | ||
| work-out (noun) | a session of physical exercise or training (regular work-outs at the gym keep her fit). vb work out | ||
| workshop (noun) | a building or room in which work is carried on (mending the radio in the workshop). | ||
| world (noun) | 1 the earth on which we live. 2 any planet or star. 3 the universe and all created things. 4 all human beings. 5 any sphere of activity, study, etc (the world of science). 6 a great amount (a world of difference). | ||
| World Wide Web (noun) | the Internet network that stretches across the world. abbreviation WWW. | ||
| worldly (adjective) | 1 having to do with this world or life (worldly pleasures). 2 interested only in the things of this life (worldly people). | ||
| worldwide (adjective) | spread throughout or found everywhere in the world (a worldwide organization). | ||
| worm | Collective noun for robins (A worm of robins) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| worm (noun) | 1 a small backbone-less creeping animal. 2 the thread of a screw. 3 (informal) a despicable person (he is an absolute worm). vb 1 to wriggle or crawl along. 2 to do something slowly and secretly (worm his way into her favor). 3 to persuade someone to tell by persistent questioning (worm the truth out of her). | ||
| worn (past participle) | of wear. adj showing signs of wear (worn furniture). | ||
| worn-out (adjective) | 1 exhausted. 2 overused or worn. | ||
| worry (verb) | 1 to feel anxiety (she worries when the children are late). 2 to trouble, to vex (the child’s behavior worries her). 3 to tear with the teeth (the dog worrying a bone). n 1 anxiety, trouble. 2 a cause of anxiety. | ||
| worse (adjective) | more bad, less good, more sick. adv more badly. | ||
| worsen (verb) | to make or become worse (interference would only worsen the situation). | ||
| worship | Collective noun for writers (A worship of writers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| worship (noun) | 1 prayers and praise offered to God. 2 a religious service. 3 great love or reverence for. vb (worshiped , worshiping , also worshipped , worshipping (British spelling) 1 to pray to. 2 to honor greatly. 3 to join in a religious service (the congregation worships every Sunday). n worshiper | ||
| worst (adjective) | most bad or sick. adv most badly. n the greatest evil or ill possible. vb to defeat (he was worsted by his opponent). | ||
| worth (adjective) | 1 equal in value to (a vase worth $200). 2 deserving of (a movie worth seeing). 3 having such-and-such an amount of money or property (he’s worth millions). n 1 value (the painting’s worth is incalculable). 2 price ($20 worth of gas). 3 merit, excellence (he proved his worth by going). | ||
| worthless (adjective) | of no use or value. n worthlessness | ||
| worthwhile (adjective) | profitable, repaying the money, work, etc, expended (a worthwhile job). | ||
| worthy (adjective) | deserving, deserving respect (worthy of respect/a worthy cause). | ||
| would (past tense) | of will. | ||
| would-be (adjective) | wishing to be, intending (a would-be doctor). | ||
| wound (noun) | a hurt, cut, or bruise, an injury. vb 1 to injure, to cause a wound to (wounded in battle). 2 to hurt the feelings of (wounded by his nasty remarks). | ||
| wound (past tense) | and pp of wind. wound-up over-excited (she was wound-up before the job interview). | ||
| wraith (noun) | (formal) a ghost. | ||
| wrangle (verb) | to quarrel, to argue angrily (wrangle over their father’s will). n a quarrel, a dispute. n wrangler | ||
| wrap (verb) | (wrapped , wrapping ) to fold paper, cloth etc around so as to cover (wrap presents). n 1 a shawl, a loose cloak. 2 a sandwich consisting of some kind of rolled-up thin bread with a filling inside. n wrapping. | ||
| wrapper (noun) | a cover for books, etc. | ||
| wrath (noun) | great anger, rage. | ||
| wrathful (adjective) | very angry. | ||
| wreak (verb) | to carry out, to put into effect (the storm wreaked havoc on the houses near the coast). | ||
| wreath (noun) | 1 flowers, leaves, etc, woven together to form a ring or a crown (she hung up their Christmas wreath). 2 a curling or spiral cloud. | ||
| wreathe (verb) | to put a wreath on or around. | ||
| wreck (noun) | 1 destruction, especially of a ship at sea. 2 a ruin. 3 the remains of a ship destroyed by the sea (the divers explored the wreck for quite a while). 4 a person weakened by ill health or a bad lifestyle. vb to ruin, to destroy. | ||
| wreckage (noun) | the broken parts of a wrecked ship. | ||
| wren (noun) | a very small songbird. | ||
| wrench (noun) | 1 a violent twist. 2 the sorrow caused by parting from or giving away (it was such a wrench when her parents moved away). 3 a tool for gripping and turning nuts, bolts, etc. vb 1 to give a sudden twist or pull. 2 to sprain. | ||
| wrest (verb) | (formal) to twist, to pull violently from. | ||
| wrestle (verb) | 1 to struggle with another by gripping and trying to throw down. 2 to try hard to solve. | ||
| wrestler (noun) | a person who wrestles for sport (he loved to watch the wrestlers on TV). | ||
| wretch (noun) | 1 a very unfortunate or miserable person. 2 a wicked or worthless person. | ||
| wretched (adjective) | 1 miserable. 2 worthless. | ||
| wriggle (verb) | 1 to twist from side to side. 2 to move with a wriggling movement. Also n. adj wriggly | ||
| wring (verb) | (pt, pp wrung ) 1 to squeeze hard, to twist tightly. 2 to get by pressure or persuasion (he managed to wring the truth out of her). | ||
| wringer (noun) | (old) a machine for squeezing the water out of clothing. | ||
| wrinkle (noun) | a fold or furrow in the skin, or in a cloth, etc (she was always looking for wrinkles on her face). vb to make wrinkles in. | ||
| wrist (noun) | the joint between the hand and the arm. | ||
| wristwatch (noun) | a watch attached to a band worn around the wrist. | ||
| writ (noun) | a written order from a law court to do or not to do certain acts. | ||
| write (verb) | (pt wrote , pp written ) 1 to make marks standing for sounds, letters, or words on paper, etc, with a pen or pencil. 2 to make up stories, poems, etc, for publication. 3 to write a letter to. | ||
| writer (noun) | 1 an author. 2 a person who writes. | ||
| writhe (verb) | to twist and turn the body about (the wounded man lay writhing on the ground). | ||
| writing paper (noun) | paper for writing letters on. | ||
| writings (noun, plural) | the written works of an author. | ||
| wrong (adjective) | 1 not correct, false. 2 incorrect in your opinion, etc. 3 not good, not morally right, evil. vb 1 to treat unjustly. 2 to do harm to. n 1 an injustice. 2 harm. adv wrongly | ||
| wrongdoer (noun) | a criminal, a sinner. n wrongdoing | ||
| wrongful (adjective) | 1 unjust. 2 criminal, wrong. adv wrongfully | ||
| wrought (adjective) | (old) beaten and rolled into shape. wrought iron hammered iron. Also adj. | ||
| wry (adjective) | 1 twisted, turned to one side. 2 slightly mocking (she gave a wry smile). adv wryly n wryness | ||
| wunch | Collective noun for bankers (A wunch of bankers) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| WWW | abbreviation for World Wide Web. | ||
X
| X, x (noun) | 1 the twenty-fourth letter of the alphabet. 2 (algebra) the first unknown quantity. 3 (math) the first coordinate. | ||
| Xanthophobia | fear of the color yellow (see list of phobias) | ||
| Xenoglossophobia | fear of foreign languages (see list of phobias) | ||
| Xenophobia | fear of strangers or foreigners (see list of phobias) | ||
| xenophobia (noun) | hatred of foreigners and their ways. | ||
| Xerophobia | fear of dryness (see list of phobias) | ||
| Xerox™ (verb) | to make photograph copies by machine (xeroxing the documents for each of the committee). | ||
| Xmas | short for Christmas. | ||
| X-rays (noun, plural) | electric rays that are able to pass through solid substances and so can be used in photographing broken bones, or other objects hidden behind a solid surface. n X-ray an X-ray photograph. vb X-ray to make an X-ray photograph of. | ||
| Xylology | study of wood (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Xylophobia | fear of wooden objects or fear of forests (see list of phobias) | ||
| xylophone (noun) | a musical instrument of hanging wooden bars that give notes when struck with a wooden hammer. | ||
| Xyrophobia | fear of razors (see list of phobias) | ||
Y
| Y, y | 1 the twenty-fifth letter of the alphabet. 2 (algebra) the second unknown quantity. 3 (math) the second coordinate. | ||
| yacht (noun) | a ship, especially a sailing ship, used for pleasure or racing. n yachting. | ||
| yachtsman , yachtswoman (noun) | a person who sails a yacht. | ||
| yak (noun) | a type of ox with long silky hair, found in Tibet. | ||
| yam (noun) | a tropical plant with an edible root; a sweet potato. | ||
| yank (verb) | to tug, to move suddenly or with a jerk. | ||
| Yankee (noun) | a citizen of the North of the United States. | ||
| yap (verb) | (yapped , yapping ) to yelp, to bark shrilly (little dogs yapping). | ||
| yard (noun) | 1 in the imperial system, a measure of length (= 3 feet or 0.9144 meters). 2 a pole fixed across a mast for supporting a sail. 3 an enclosed piece of ground near or behind a building. 4 the grounds surrounding a house, a garden. 5 a piece of ground enclosed for a particular purpose (a building yard). | ||
| yardstick (noun) | a standard by which you measure or judge other things (used her mother’s behavior as a yardstick for her own). | ||
| yarn (noun) | 1 any type of spun thread. 2 (informal) a made-up or improbable story (the old man was spinning a yarn about his days as a sailor). | ||
| yashmak (noun) | a veil worn by Muslim women in public. | ||
| yawn (verb) | 1 to open the mouth wide because of tiredness or boredom. 2 to be wide open (the cave yawned below them). n the act of yawning. | ||
| ye (pronoun) | (old) you (pl). | ||
| yea (adverb) | yes. | ||
| yeah (adverb) | (informal) yes. | ||
| year (noun) | the time taken by the earth to travel once around the sun; 365 days, especially from 1 January to 31 December; 12 months. | ||
| yearling (noun) | a one-year-old animal. | ||
| yearly (adjective) | 1 happening once a year. 2 happening every year. Also adv. | ||
| yearn (verb) | to desire greatly, to long (for) (yearn for a better way of life). | ||
| yearning (noun) | a strong desire, a longing. | ||
| yeast (noun) | a frothy substance used for making bread rise and in making beer, etc. | ||
| yell (verb) | to scream, to shout loudly and suddenly (yell for help). Also n. | ||
| yellow (noun) | a bright golden color, as of daffodils. adj 1 of golden color. 2 (informal) cowardly (too yellow to stand up for himself). | ||
| yellow-fever (noun) | a dangerous tropical disease spread by mosquitoes. | ||
| yelp (verb) | to utter a sharp cry, as a dog in pain (she yelped as the boulder fell on her foot). Also n. | ||
| yen1 (noun) | (pl yen) the currency of Japan. | ||
| yen2 (noun) | (informal) desire (have a yen for sunshine). | ||
| yeoman (noun) | a farmer, one who owns a small farm of his own. | ||
| yes | used to express consent, agreement, approval, etc. | ||
| yesterday (noun) | the day before today. Also adv. | ||
| yet (adverb) | 1 still. 2 in addition. 3 up to the present. 4 however. 5 all the same. | ||
| yeti (noun) | a legendary very large creature said to live in the Himalayas. | ||
| yew (noun) | a large evergreen tree often grown in churchyards. | ||
| Yiddish (noun) | a language, partly German and Hebrew, spoken by some Jewish people. | ||
| yield (verb) | 1 to produce (fruit, crops, profit, etc) (the milk yielded by the cattle). 2 to give in, to surrender (the soldiers yield to the enemy). 3 to give way (the door finally yielded to pressure). n 1 the amount produced or made in profit. 2 a crop. | ||
| yielding (adjective) | giving in easily, easily influenced or managed. | ||
| yodel (verb) | (yodeled , yodeling ) to sing with frequent changes from one’s ordinary voice to a higher-pitched one. n yodeler. | ||
| yoga (noun) | 1 a Hindu belief that by prayer and complete control over the body and its desires, you may become one with God. 2 a course of related postures and exercises. | ||
| yogi (noun) | a person who practices yoga. | ||
| yogurt (noun) | a food made from fermented milk (have yogurt and fruit for breakfast). | ||
| yoke | Collective noun for pilots (A yoke of pilots) (see list of collective nouns) | ||
| yoke (noun) | 1 the part of a garment that fits over the shoulders and round the neck (a black dress with a white yolk). 2 a frame of wood that fits over the necks of two oxen, making them work together when pulling a plow, cart, etc. 3 something that forces people to do something (the yoke of slavery). vb 1 to put together under a yoke. 2 to link together. | ||
| yokel (noun) | (derog) a country fellow. | ||
| yolk (noun) | the yellow part of an egg. | ||
| Yom Kippur (noun) | the Day of Atonement, a Jewish festival involving fasting and repenting. | ||
| yon, yonder (adjective) | (old) that (one) over there. adv yonder over there. | ||
| yore (noun) | (old) olden times. of yore in olden times. | ||
| you (pronoun) | (pl you) the person or people being addressed (you look well). | ||
| young (adjective) | not old, not grown up, childish, youthful. n 1 all the children or offspring (of) (the lioness and her young). 2 young people in general (entertainments for the young). | ||
| youngster (noun) | a young person. | ||
| your (adjective) | belonging to you (I like your perfume). | ||
| yours (pronoun) | something belonging to you (is this book yours?). | ||
| yourself (pronoun) | (pl yourselves ) the reflexive form of “you” (take care of yourself). | ||
| youth (noun) | 1 the early part of one’s life (she lived overseas in her youth). 2 a young man (youths who have just left school). 3 young people (clothes designed for youth). | ||
| youthful (adjective) | young, young-looking (youthful old people). adv youthfully | ||
| yowl (verb) | to cry or howl like a dog. Also n. | ||
| yo-yo (noun) | a toy consisting of a double disk that you move up and down on a string. | ||
| Yule (noun) | Christmas. | ||
| Yuletide (noun) | the Christmas season. | ||
Z
| Z, z (noun) | 1 the twenty-sixth letter of the alphabet. 2 (algebra) the third unknown quantity. 3 (math) the third coordinate. | ||
| zany (adjective) | crazy (a zany comedy). | ||
| zap (verb) | 1 (in computer games) to destroy or kill. 2 to change television channel using a remote control. | ||
| zeal (noun) | keenness, eagerness, enthusiasm (show a great deal of zeal for keeping fit). | ||
| zealot (noun) | a person who is so keen on a cause or idea that he or she can talk of nothing else. | ||
| zealous (adjective) | very keen, eager (zealous supporters of the cause). adv zealously | ||
| zebra (noun) | a striped horse-like animal from Africa. | ||
| Zelophobia | fear of jealousy or of strong emotion (see list of phobias) | ||
| Zemmiphobia | fear of the mole rat (see list of phobias) | ||
| zenith (noun) | 1 the point of the heavens directly overhead. 2 the highest point (the zenith of his career). | ||
| Zenography | study of the planet Jupiter (see list of branches of science) | ||
| zephyr (noun) | (lit) a gentle breeze. | ||
| zero (noun) | 1 the figure 0. 2 the 0-mark on a measuring scale. | ||
| zero hour (noun) | the time fixed for the beginning of something, such as a military attack. | ||
| zest (noun) | keen enjoyment, enthusiasm (the old lady’s zest for life). adj zestful. | ||
| Zeusophobia | fear of God (see list of phobias) | ||
| zigzag (adjective) | turning sharply to the left, following a straight line, then turning sharply to the right, and so on. n a zigzag line or course. vb (zigzagged , zigzagging ) to follow a zigzag course. | ||
| zinc (noun) | a bluish-white metal | ||
| Zionism (noun) | the movement to found and develop Israel. adj and n Zionist | ||
| zip (verb) | (zipped , zipping ) 1 (informal) to whiz (I’m just zipping to the drugstore). 2 to fasten with a zipper (the girl asked her mother to zip up her dress). | ||
| zip code (noun) | a number identifying a postal area of the United States. | ||
| zipper (noun) | a sliding fastener that causes two strips of metal teeth to engage in or disengage from each other as it moves. | ||
| zither (noun) | a flat stringed musical instrument played with the fingers. | ||
| zodiac (noun) | the band of the heavens in which the sun, moon, and planets seem to move, containing the twelve groups of stars known as the signs of the zodiac. | ||
| zone (noun) | 1 any region with distinctive characteristics of its own. 2 any of the five regions of the surface of the earth that are divided according to prevailing climate and latitude. 3 a section of an area established for a specific purpose, e.g. a section of a city restricted to a particular type of building, enterprise, etc (a residential zone). | ||
| zoo (noun) | a park in which animals are kept in cages, enclosures, ponds, etc, for show. | ||
| Zooarchaeology | study of animal remains of archaeological sites (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Zoochemistry | study of chemistry of animals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Zoogeography | study of geographic distribution of animals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Zoogeology | study of fossil animal remains (see list of branches of science) | ||
| zoological (adjective) | having to do with the study of animals. zoological gardens a zoo. | ||
| zoologist (noun) | a person who studies animals. | ||
| Zoology | study of animals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| zoology (noun) | the study of animals. | ||
| zoom (verb) | 1 to climb rapidly at a steep angle. 2 (informal) to increase rapidly. 3 (informal) to move very quickly. | ||
| zoom lens (noun) | a camera lens that is adjusted for focusing on close or distant objects. | ||
| Zoonomy | study of animal physiology (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Zoonosology | study of animal diseases (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Zoopathology | study of animal diseases (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Zoophobia | fear of animals (see list of phobias) | ||
| Zoophysics | study of physics of animal bodies (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Zoophysiology | study of physiology of animals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Zoophytology | study of plant-like animals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Zoosemiotics | study of animal communication (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Zootaxy | study of classification of animals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Zootechnics | study of breeding animals (see list of branches of science) | ||
| zucchini (noun) | a cylindrical summer squash with dark green skin; a courgette. | ||
| Zulu (noun) | 1 a member of an African tribe. 2 its language. Also adj. | ||
| Zygology | study of joining and fastening (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Zymology | study of fermentation (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Zymurgy | study of brewing and distilling (see list of branches of science) | ||
| Zythology | study of beer (see list of branches of science) | ||