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 |